包头市典型工业区表层土壤中重金属污染状况及其潜在生态风险研究

为了解包头市典型工业企业对其所在地土壤中重金属含量的影响及污染现状,利用相关性系数对其表层土壤中7种重金属(Cu、Zn、Pb、Cr、Cd、Mn、Ni)来源进行研究,并采用内梅罗综合污染指数法和潜在生态危害指数对其污染状况进行评价。结果表明,7种重金属含量平均值均高于内蒙古土壤背景值,其中Cd、Mn、Ni超标率已达100%,而Cu、Pb、Zn的超标率分别为97%、93%和93%,只有Cr超标率较低(53%),污染程度依次为CdPbCuNiZnMnCr,其中Pb和Cd为重度污染,Cu、Zn、Ni为中度污染,Cr、Mn为轻度污染;Cu、Zn、Cr、Mn、Ni可能同时来自工业生产和交通运输两个源,而Pb和Cd除上述来源外,燃煤烟气的排放有较大贡献。潜在生态危害依次为CdPbCuNiCrZnMn,其中Cd的潜在生态风险最大,应予以高度重视,其他金属的风险均为轻微。     

承德中部土壤-黄芩系统重金属生物有效性及迁移累积特征

土壤重金属含量是影响黄芩产量和质量的重要因素。选取承德市中部金沟屯和五道岭两处黄芩种植示范区为研究区,采集表层土壤样品355件,黄芩样品30件,重金属形态样品15件。在分析土壤Mn、Zn、Cu、Cr、Cd、As、Pb、Ni、Hg、V、Co、Sb和土壤有机质含量（SOM）及pH值,黄芩Zn、Cu、Cr、Co、Cd、Pb、Ni、Hg和As含量基础上,采用描述性统计、地累积指数、主成分和RDA分析、重金属生物富集系数、生物活性系数和迁移系数等方法论述了土壤-黄芩系统重金属生物有效性及迁移累积特征。结果表明:金沟屯和五道岭区土壤各重金属累积程度总体属无-中度累积水平。五道岭Cu和Hg累积程度高于金沟屯区,其它元素累积程度低于金沟屯区。五道岭区表层土壤Cr、Cu和Cd含量超标率分别为2.82%、1.69%和1.13%;金沟屯区土壤Cd、Cr和Ni,五道岭区土壤Zn和Hg含量超标率均为0.56%。五道岭区黄芩Cu元素含量高于金沟屯区,Co和Cu元素生物富集强度高于金沟屯区,其它元素含量和生物富集强度则均低于金沟屯区。土壤Cd和Hg元素生物活性系数相对最高,Ni、Zn和Pb元素次之,Cu、Cr和As生物活性系数相对较低。金沟屯区根系土具有较低的pH值和较高的SOM含量,区内黄芩根部As、Cd、Cr、Ni、Zn和Pb元素BCF平均值高于五道岭区,Cu元素富集强度低于五道岭区。土壤重金属生物有效性和黄芩重金属生物富集强度受土壤pH和SOM含量影响,其中Cd和Cu元素受SOM含量影响最为明显。     

贵阳城市土壤重金属元素形态分析

选取贵阳市62个代表性的表层土壤样品,分析了其重金属元素的含量和存在形态.结果表明,贵阳城市土壤中5种重金属元素(Cr、Cu、Pb、Zn和Cd)的含量较高,且变化较大.表层土壤中Cr、Cu、Zn主要以残渣态形式存在,Pb主要以可氧化态形式存在.Cd可还原态含量高达47.5%,残渣态含量最低,说明Cd较活泼,具有潜在的环境影响能力.     

安徽某地山核桃园地土壤重金属生态风险评价

研究区是我国山核桃重要产地,在区内开展生态风险评价对保障山核桃食品安全具有重要意义.采集山核桃果仁及对应的根系土壤样品各82件,分析土壤和山核桃样品中重金属含量,以《土壤环境质量农用地土壤污染风险管控标准(试行)》(GB 15618—2018)中pH≤5.5非水田条件下的风险筛选值为标准,评价土壤重金属污染程度和潜在生态风险.结果表明:研究区山核桃园地土壤中Cd、Cr、Hg、As、Pb、Cu、Zn、Ni等8种重金属平均含量均高于中国土壤平均值,其中As、Cd分别为中国土壤平均值的3.80倍、2.90倍.研究区局部土壤中As、Cd、Pb、Zn、Ni含量出现不同程度的超标,其中Cd超标较为显著,As、Pb、Zn、Ni超标程度低,Cr、Hg、Cu未超标.Cd达到中等生态危害程度,其他重金属生态风险低.土壤重金属生态风险总体较低,风险可控.研究区山核桃果仁中Cd、Cr、Hg、As、Pb含量总体较低,少量山核桃果仁样品中出现Pb含量超标,应加以关注.     

江西省赣县沙地土壤重金属的来源及环境等级评价

为研究赣县沙地土壤中重金属的来源,进行环境等级影响评价,在研究区采取了2708件土壤样对Cd、Cr、As、Hg、Cu、Pb、Zn、Ni八种重金属元素及pH进行分析测试,按照现有环境地球化学等级标准进行评价,利用地质统计分析法和空间分析法,探讨分析重金属元素可能来源。结果表明:研究区土壤中的As、Pb和Cu平均值均低于赣州市背景值,Cd、Hg、Cr、Zn和Ni平均值略高于赣州市背景值。与全国土壤背景值相比,Cd、Pb平均值高于全国土壤背景值,As、Co、Ni、pH、Cu低于全国土壤背景值,土壤中Hg、Zn背景值含量与全国背景值相差不大;各重金属元素具有较好的空间相关性,空间变异主要受结构性因素为主,受随机性因素较小;基于各元素半差函数块基比,结合元素间相关系数及因子载荷分析,研究区中Cd、Cr、Cu、Pb、Zn和Ni主要受地球化学成因影响,得出AS、Cd和Pb土壤污染主要来自地质高背景。     

西南重金属高背景区农田系统土壤重金属生态风险评价

西南地区是我国典型重金属高背景区,在重金属高背景区开展生态风险评价对保障粮食安全有重要意义。采集云南省重金属高背景区土壤表层(0～20 cm)样品242件,农作物及对应的根系土样品74件,分析土壤和农作物样品中8种重金属(Cd、Cr、As、Hg、Pb、Cu、Zn、Ni)含量以及土壤中重金属赋存形态。研究发现,受地质背景因素影响,Cd、Cr、Cu、Hg、Ni和Zn含量平均值均超过云南省土壤背景值,Cd、Cu和Ni含量平均值均超过农用地土壤污染风险管控标准规定的筛选值,土壤pH值多呈酸性,有机质含量较低。土壤中As、Cr、Cu、Ni、Pb和Zn主要以残渣态形式存在,生物有效性低,是由地质背景引起的;Cd残渣态占比较低,生物有效组分较高,Cd元素的地累积指数分布显示,Cd受人为污染和地质背景交互叠加的影响,是研究区污染风险最高的重金属元素。Hg来源较为复杂,全量较低,污染风险较小。研究区大宗粮食作物(马铃薯和玉米)重金属含量均不超标,生物富集系数(BCF)均小于0.03,粮食作物较安全,生态风险较低。黄烟中Cd含量远远超过目前初步制定的安全限量标准,BCF为3.13,说明烟草特别能富集Cd,存在一定的生态风险。表层土壤重金属潜在生态风险指数(RI)统计结果显示,土壤重金属RI贡献降序依次为Cd(73.71)Hg(57.40)Cu(25.25)Ni(8.76)As(7.39)Cr(4.15)Pb(4.04)Zn(2.0),Cd和Hg是研究区最重要的风险元素,但均以中等生态危害为主,很强生态危害分布面积较小,研究区生态风险整体较低,风险可控。     

锦州市土壤重金属污染特征及生态风险评价

以锦州市为研究区,分析8种土壤重金属As、Cd、Hg、Cr、Cu、Pb、Zn、Ni的污染特征,采用单因子污染指数法、地累积指数法、内梅罗综合指数法和Hakanson潜在生态风险指数法确定锦州市土壤重金属污染程度,评价土壤重金属潜在生态风险.结果表明,锦州市土壤重金属Cd和Cr含量高于全国土壤及辽宁省土壤背景值,Cu、Hg、Ni和Pb含量高于辽宁省土壤背景值.采用单因子污染指数评价,Cd为中度污染,Hg、Pb、Cr、Ni和Cu为轻度污染.经地累积指数法评价,Cd为轻中度污染,其他重金属为无污染.内梅罗综合污染指数平均值为2.25,为中度污染等级.研究区综合潜在风险指数平均值为157.34,处于中等生态风险,造成局部地区土壤潜在生态风险较高的重金属为Cd和Hg.     

内江市双桥乡土壤重金属含量及风险评价

以四川省内江市双桥乡为研究区域,调查分析各类土壤中重金属（Cu、Pb、Zn、Cd、Cr、As、Hg、Ni）含量情况。采用单因子污染指数、内梅罗综合污染指数和富集因子评价方法,对土壤重金属污染状况进行评价。研究结果表明,该地区Cd、Cr、Cu、Ni、Pb、Zn元素平均含量高于成都经济区、四川省、中国土壤背景值,有一定程度的Cd、Cr、Cu、Ni、Pb、Zn富集,Hg元素有个别样点含量偏高,并且单因子重金属的污染程度依次为：Cd〉Ni〉Zn〉Cu〉Cr〉Pb〉As〉Hg,Cd在绝大部份区域存在轻微污染,由内梅罗污染指数和富集因子评价得出区域综合污染程度为轻度。     

北京某金矿区土壤重金属污染特征及风险评价

使用网格布点法采集144个浅层土壤样品,分析测定As、Cd、Cr、Cu、Hg、Ni、Pb和Zn共8种重金属元素的含量.通过多元统计方法、土壤重金属含量空间分布及极值点分析,揭示了金矿地区土壤污染特征及污染风险.结果显示,区内浅层土壤重金属含量超过该地区背景值较高的元素为Pb、As、Cd,与背景值接近的元素为Cr与Ni.重金属污染风险较高的区域集中分布在金矿开采区、尾矿库、选矿厂及其下游约1.5 km范围内,主要污染元素为As、Cd、Pb、Cu、Zn,基本不存在Cr、Ni、Hg污染.相关性与主成分分析结果显示,矿山开采及冶炼是土壤重金属污染的主要来源.污染物的主要迁移途径为金矿开采区、尾矿库及选矿厂的废渣和尾矿析出的重金属通过废渣及尾矿堆的孔隙下渗进入底垫土壤,通过地表径流进入下游土壤中.     

北京某金矿区土壤重金属污染特征及风险评价

使用网格布点法采集144个浅层土壤样品,分析测定As、Cd、Cr、Cu、Hg、Ni、Pb和Zn共8种重金属元素的含量.通过多元统计方法、土壤重金属含量空间分布及极值点分析,揭示了金矿地区土壤污染特征及污染风险.结果显示,区内浅层土壤重金属含量超过该地区背景值较高的元素为Pb、As、Cd,与背景值接近的元素为Cr与Ni.重金属污染风险较高的区域集中分布在金矿开采区、尾矿库、选矿厂及其下游约1.5 km范围内,主要污染元素为As、Cd、Pb、Cu、Zn,基本不存在Cr、Ni、Hg污染.相关性与主成分分析结果显示,矿山开采及冶炼是土壤重金属污染的主要来源.污染物的主要迁移途径为金矿开采区、尾矿库及选矿厂的废渣和尾矿析出的重金属通过废渣及尾矿堆的孔隙下渗进入底垫土壤,通过地表径流进入下游土壤中.     

Distribution and enrichment of heavy metals in a sediment core from the Pearl River Estuary

A sediment core collected from coastal zone near the Qiao Island in the Pearl River Estuary was analyzed for total metal concentrations, chemical partitioning, and physico-chemical properties. Three vertical distribution patterns of the heavy metals in the sediment core were identified, respectively. The dominant binding phases for Cu, Pb, Cr, and Zn were the residual and Fe/Mn oxides fractions. Cd in all sediments was mainly associated with exchangeable fraction. Influences of total organic carbon content and cation exchange capacity on the total concentrations and fractions of almost all the metals were not evident, whereas sand content might play an important role in the distributions of residual phases of Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn. In addition, sediment pH had also an important influence on the Fe/Mn oxides, organic/sulfide and residual fractions of Cr, Cu, and Zn. Contamination assessment on the heavy metals in the sediment core adopting Index of Geoaccumulation showed that Cr, V, Be, Se, Sn, and Tl were unpolluted, while Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, Cd, and Co were polluted in different degrees throughout the core. It was remarkable that the various pollution levels of the metals from moderate (for Cu, Pb, and Zn) to strong (for Cd) were observed in the top 45 cm of the profiles. The relative decrease of the residual fraction in the upper 45 cm of the core is striking, especially for Zn and Cu, and, also for Pb, and Cr. The change in fraction distribution in the upper 45 cm, which is very much contrasting to the one at larger depths, confirms that the residual fraction is related to the natural origin of these metals, whereas in the upper part, the non-residual fractions (mainly the Fe/Mn oxides fraction) are increased due to pollution in the last decade. The possible sources for Cu, Pb, Zn, and Cd contaminations were attributed to the increasing municipal and industrial wastewater discharges, agricultural runoff, atmospheric inputs, and runoff from upstream mining or smelting activities, which may be associated with an accelerating growth of economy in the Pearl River Delta region in the past decade.     

珠江三角洲污灌区地下水重金属含量及其相互关系

为了解污灌区地下水重金属含量特征,采集地表水样5组、地下水样14组进行化学组分定量分析。结果表明：污灌区地下水8种重金属元素中,仅有Ni和As两种元素超标,超标率分别为14.3％和42.9％。8种重金属含量在污灌区地表水、工厂废水以及地下水中存在明显的对应关系。Ni、Zn、Se、Cd这4种元素间存在显著或极显著的正相关关系,Cu与Pb和Cd分别呈极显著和显著的正相关关系,Cr仅与Ni呈显著的正相关关系,As与其它7种元素的相关性均不明显。聚类分析结果显示8种重金属可分为4类：Pb和Cu一类,Se、Cd、Ni、Zn一类,Cr和As均单独一类。Pb和Cu与Fe的相似性最好,Se、Cd、Ni、Zn与Mg²⁺存在较好的相似性,Cr与HCO^－₃的相似性最好,As与SO^2－₄存在一定的相似性。     

Distribution and immobilization of heavy metals in Pliocene aquifer sediments in Wadi El Natrun depression, Western Desert

The Pliocene aquifer receives inflow of Miocene and Pleistocene aquifer waters in Wadi El Natrun depression. The aquifer also receives inflow from the agricultural activity and septic tanks. Nine sediment samples were collected from the Pliocene aquifer in Wadi E1 Natrun. Heavy metal (Cu, Sr, Zn, Mn, Fe, Al, Ba, Cr, Ni, V, Cd, Co, Mo, and Pb) concentrations of Pliocene aquifer sediments were investigated in bulk, sand, and mud fractions. The determination of extractable trace metals (Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Pb) in Pliocene aquifer sediments using sequential extraction procedure (four steps) has been performed in order to study environmental pathways (e.g., mobility of metals, bounding states). These employ a series of successively stronger chemical leaching reagents which nominally target the different compositional fractions. By analyzing the liquid leachates and the residual solid components, it is possible to determine not only the type and concentration of metals retained in each phase but also their potential ecological significance. Cu, Sr, Zn, Mn, Fe, and Al concentrations are higher in finer sediments than in coarser sediments, while Ba, Cr, Ni, V, Cd, Co, Mo, and Pb are enriched in the coarser fraction. The differences in relative concentrations are attributed to intense anthropogenic inputs from different sources. Heavy metal concentrations are higher than global average concentrations in sandstone, USEPA guidelines, and other local and international aquifer sediments. The order of trace elements in the bulk Pliocene aquifer sediments, from high to low concentrations, is Fe?>?Al?>?Mn?>?Cr?>?Zn?>?Cu?>?Ni?>?V?>?Sr?>?Ba?>?Pb?>?Mo?>?Cd?>?Co. The Pliocene aquifer sediments are highly contaminated for most toxic metals, except Pb and Co which have moderate contamination. The active soluble (F0) and exchangeable (F1) phases are represented by high concentrations of Cu, Zn, Fe, and Mn and relatively higher concentrations of Pb and Cd. This may be due to the increase of silt and clay fractions (mud) in sediments, which act as an adsorbent, retaining metals through ion exchange and other processes. The order of mobility of heavy metals in this phase is found to be Pb?>?Cd?>?Zn?>?Cu?>?Fe?>?Mn. The values of the active phase of most heavy metals are relatively high, indicating that Pliocene sediments are potentially a major sink for heavy metals characterized by high mobility and bioavailability. Fe–Mn oxyhydroxide phase is the most important fraction among labile fractions and represents 22% for Cd, 20% for Fe, 11% for Zn, 8% for Cu, 5% for Pb, and 3% for Mn. The organic matter-bound fraction contains 80% of Mn, 72% of Cu, 68% of Zn, 60% of Fe, 35% of Pb, and 30% of Cd (as mean). Summarizing the sequential extraction, a very good immobilization of the heavy metals by the organic matter-bound fraction is followed by the carbonate-exchangeable-bound fraction. The mobility of the Cd metal in the active and Fe–Mn oxyhydroxide phases is the highest, while the Mn metal had the lowest mobility.     

The distribution and risk assessment of heavy metals in water,sediments, and fish of Chaohu Lake,China

In this study, the concentrations of seven heavy metals (As, Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in the water, sediments, and nine tissues of eight fish species in Chaohu Lake were detected. And the ecological risk of sediments and food safety caused by heavy metals were evaluated. The mean concentrations of metals (As: 8.21, Cd: 0.58, Cu: 2.56, Cr: 0.50, Ni: 26.47, Pb: 3.51, Zn: 23.05 μg/L) in the water were found lower than the threshold values for the first-grade water quality (China environmental quality standards for surface water). The mean concentrations of Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn in the sediments were 41.79, 19.31, 7.61, 7.09, and 102.85 μg/g, respectively, while the concentration of As and Cd was recorded below the detection limit. The ecological risk assessment demonstrated that metals in the sediments posed low ecological risk. The bioaccumulation of metals in fish tissues showed relatively high concentrations in liver, brain, kidney, and intestines while low levels of metals were detected in muscle. A fascinating phenomenon was firstly noticed that all metals highly existed in fish brain and exhibited an especially significant positive correlation with the metal concentrations in sediment, indicating a health risk for Chinese due to their consumption favor of fish head.     

渤海西部表层沉积物中重金属的环境地球化学特征

为探讨渤海西部在多重环境因素变化下沉积物中重金属的环境地球化学行为,分析了渤海西部44个站位表层沉积物样品中8种重金属元素含量,研究了重金属元素的分布特征、环境影响因素及其生态风险。结果表明,渤海西部表层沉积物中As、Cu、Cd、Cr、Hg、Ni、Pb、Zn的平均含量分别为117 mg/kg、255 mg/kg、014 mg/kg、689 mg/kg、0037 mg/kg、303 mg/kg、223 mg/kg、757 mg/kg;Cu、Cr、Ni、Zn含量与有机碳含量、小于63 μm细粒沉积物呈显著正相关,其在表层沉积物中的分布明显受到有机质含量和沉积物粒径的控制,而As、Hg分布没有明显受到有机质含量的影响。富集系数显示,Cr、Ni、Pb和Zn为无富集,Cu、As为轻度富集,Cd和Hg为中度富集。与多种背景值和一致性沉积物质量基准相比较,渤海西部表层沉积物Pb、Cd的含量超出背景值,而Cu、Zn、Ni、Cr、As、Hg含量也存在一定的异常,但其含量水平引发有害生物效应的可能性不大,尽管重金属元素含量偏高,但生态风险较小。     

Multivariate statistical techniques for evaluating and identifying the environmental significance of heavy metal contamination in sediments of the Yangtze River, China

The concentrations of heavy metals (Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, As, Hg, and Fe) in sediments of the Yangtze River, China, were investigated to evaluate levels of contamination and their potential sources. The lowest heavy metal concentrations were found in the source regions of the river basin. Relatively high concentrations of metals, except Cr, were found in the Sichuan Basin, and the highest concentrations were in the Xiangjiang and Shun’anhe rivers. All concentrations, except Ni, were higher than global averages. Principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis showed that Zn, Pb, As, Hg, and Cd were derived mainly from the exploitation of various multi-metal minerals, industrial wastewater, and domestic sewage. Cu, Co, and Fe were derived mainly from natural weathering (erosion). Cr and Ni were derived mainly from agricultural activities, municipal and industrial wastewater. Sediment pollution was assessed using the geoaccumulation index (I _geo) and enrichment factor (EF). Among the ten heavy metals assessed, Cd and Pb had the highest I _geo values, followed by Cu, As, Zn, and Hg. The I _geo values of Fe, Cr, Co, and Ni were <0 in all sediments. EF provided similar information to I _geo: no enrichment was found for Cr, Co, and Ni. Cu, Zn, As, and Hg were relatively enriched at some sites while Cd and Pb showed significant enrichment.     

Concentrations and solubility of heavy metals in muck sediments from the St. Lucie Estuary,U.S.A.

To evaluate muck sediments as a potential soil amendment, total and Mehlich III-extractable concentrations of Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, Zn, and Co in 59 muck sediment samples from the St. Lucie Estuary were analyzed. A seven-step chemical fractionation procedure was used to assess the potential mobility of heavy metals. Except for Cd, the average total concentrations of the metals are lower than the reported average concentrations of these elements in municipal composts in the U.S.A. The concentrations were also below critical levels for the safe use of wastes and byproducts in agriculture, as established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. The Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, Zn and Co in the sediments were predominantly associated with silicate minerals in the residual form. Most metals in the muck sediments occur predominantly in weakly mobile or nonbioavailable forms. Use of mucks in neutral pH upland soils should not pose any significant hazards or risk to the environment. However, Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, Zn, and Co, especially Zn, Cu, and Pb, could be more readily released from the muck sediments under acidic soil conditions.     

Spatio-temporal trends of heavy metals and source apportionment in Tolo Harbour,Hong Kong

This study provided a picture of the spatial and temporal distributions of Cr, Co, Ni Cu, Zn, As, Cd and Pb in bottom sediments of Tolo Harbour. The concentrations of the eight heavy metals differed significantly between sites due to the poor tidal flushing in Tolo Harbour. The levels of Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb were generally enriched in sediments from inner Tolo Harbour, while sediments from outer Tolo Harbour (Tolo Channel) had higher levels of Cr, Co and Ni. The redox sensitive element arsenic showed no distinct spatial pattern in Tolo Harbour. The decreasing levels of Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd in sediments with increasing distance from land demonstrated a typical diffusion pattern from land to the direction of sea. Two hot spots of Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd in sediments were located near Tai Po and Sha Tin new town, indicating that Cu, Zn, Pb and Zn were from land-derived sources. The sites with relatively high levels of Cr, Co and Ni in sediments were located in areas close to waste spoil in sea floor. The natural and anthropogenic inputs from Sha Tin and Tai Po to Tolo Harbour were mostly responsible for Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb enrichment in sediments from inner Tolo Harbour. The waste spoil in sea floor was believed to contribute to the Cr, Co and Ni in outer Tolo Harbour. The results of correlation coefficient between the eight heavy metals showed that Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb were strongly positively correlated, and Cr, Co and Ni were also significantly correlated with each other. The best explanation of strong correlation was their similar source. As, however, is not well correlated with the other seven heavy metals. The average concentrations of Cu and Zn displayed general increasing trends from 1978 to 2006 in Tolo Harbour, while the mean levels of Cr and Pb displayed a substantial decrease from 1978 to 1987, then a slight increase after 1987. No distinct temporal trends of the concentrations of Ni and As were observed from 1978 due to the inconsecutive data. On the other hand, the increasing trends of Cr, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb were observed since 1996.     

The chemistry of suspended particulate material in a highly contaminated embayment of Port Jackson (Australia) under quiescent,high-wind and heavy-rainfall conditions

This study investigated physico-chemical characteristics of the water column and chemistry of suspended particulate material (SPM) under quiescent, high-wind and high-wind/heavy-rainfall conditions in Homebush Bay, a highly contaminated embayment of Port Jackson (Australia) to distinguish source and possible adverse effects to benthic and pelagic animals. Mean concentrations in surficial sediment were <1, 14, 181, 141, 37, 290 and 685 μg g⁻¹ for Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn, respectively. Sediment chemistry indicated these metals had multiple sources, i.e. the estuary, stormwater and industry. Mean total suspended solids (TSS) were 7, 17 and 20 mg L⁻¹ during quiescent, high-rainfall and heavy rainfall/high wind conditions, respectively, whereas SPM Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn concentrations varied between 13–25, 166–259, 127–198, 38–82, 236–305 and 605–865 μg g⁻¹, respectively under these conditions. TSS and total water metal concentrations were lowest during quiescent conditions. High TSS and metal loads in surface water characterised high-rainfall events. Wind-induced resuspension contributed the greatest mass of SPM and metals to the water column. Benthic animals may be adversely affected by Pb and Zn in sediment. Total water Cu and Zn concentrations may pose a risk to filter-feeding animals in the water column due to resuspension of contaminated sediment.