Bioavailability of heavy metals in urban particles

Urban particles, as one of the toxic air pollutants, are important issues concerning air quality and public health, especially in large cities like Guangzhou （China）. Toxicological studies implicated heavy metals （particularly water-soluble metals） as a health hazard of particles. Once absorbed into human lung tissues, heavy metals are likely released from the particles and do harm to human body even in low concentrations. Thus, evaluating the bioavailability of heavy metals in urban particles is quite necessary. The particle samples used in this study were collected from a building roof in Guangzhou. Three different methods, sequential extraction procedure and two leaching tests, were employed to investigate the bioavailability of heavy metals in the particles. The sequential extraction scheme is specific for analyzing the chemical speciation of metals in particles, which consists of four fractions： F1： soluble and exchangeable metals; F2： carbonates, oxides and reducible metals; F3： bound to organic matter, oxidisable and sulphidic metals; and F4： residual metals. Leaching tests, GB 5086.2-1997 and TCLP, are standard methods developed by China-EPA and US-EPA and widely used in evaluating the toxicity of solid wastes. They were applied to gain additional information about more easily mobilized form of metal. Heavy metals in extraction solution, including Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, Cr, and Ni, were analyzed by ICP-MS. According to the data from the total concentration analysis, the relative contents of 6 heavy metals in particles follow the order of Pb〉Zn〉Cu〉Cr〉Ni〉Cd. The results of sequential extraction showed that more than 50% of Cu, Zn and Cd were distributed in the F1, F2, and F3. This indicated that the bioavailability of Cu, Zn and Cd in the particles is much higher than that of Pb, Cr, and Ni. Leaching tests revealed that the concentrations of heavy metals in leachate are relatively lower than the regulatory level. The results of TCLP are much higher than those of GB 5086.2-1997, mainly due to the low pH value of the extraction fluid.     

Classification of Japanese rivers by heavy metals in bottom mud

Bottom mud was collected from the upper and lower reaches of 92 rivers in Japan to determine the distribution of 0.5N-HCI-soluble heavy metals. The average concentrations of Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd in the mud from the lower reaches were from two to three times higher than those in the upper reaches. Japanese rivers were classified according to the degree of heavy metal pollution by using the values of 0.5N-HCI-soluble metals in the lower reaches of rivers. The content of 0.5N-HCI-soluble heavy metals in the mud of the upper reaches was used as the standard value. The classification of rivers was made by a cluster analysis according to Euclidian distance. As a result, rivers in Japan could be classified into three groups based on the degree of metal pollution, and the classification was in agreement with the pollution index.     

Fractionation of heavy metals in bottom sediments using Tessier procedure

The study presents the results of Cu, Pb, Zn, Mn and Fe determination in the samples of bottom sediments collected from the Oder and Warta rivers. The sequential extraction of metals in the samples of bottom sediments was performed after introducing the modification of the extraction scheme suggested by Tessier et al. (Anal Chem 51(7):844–851, 1979). The extraction times of particular stages were optimised. The fifth stage was altered by introducing the new methods of performing extraction. The samples of bottom sediments submitted the following granulometric analyses: dry, wet and wet with (HMP) dispersing reagent. Seven granulometric fractions with the following grain sizes were isolated: >2.0, 2.0–1.0, 1.0–0.5, 0.5–0.25, 0.25–0.1, 0.1–0.063 and <0.063 mm. The sequential extraction of particular granulometric fractions was performed. The concentration of metals variability was analysed depending on the method of sample preparation for the chemical analysis, granulometric fraction of sediments subjected to the analysis, extraction conditions and the site of samples collection. The lack of linearity between the metal concentration and the size of granulometric fraction was observed. The highest concentrations of metals were observed in fractions >2.0, 2.0–1.0 and 0.1–0.063 and <0.063 mm while the lowest concentrations occurred in fractions 1.0–0.5, 0.5–0.25, and 0.25–0.1 mm. The atomic absorption spectrometry with flame atomisation (F-AAS) was used for the determination of the investigated elements.     

辽东湾河口底质重金属环境地球化学

对辽东湾诸河口底质样进行了 Pb、Zn、Cu、Cd等含量分析.辽东湾底质重金属污染物主要是 Cd、Zn、Pb,尤其是 Cd平均含量为 1.16 mg/kg,超过土壤环境质量三级标准; Zn平均含量为 105.28 mg/kg,超过土壤环境质量一级标准.运用地累积指数法对其污染程度评价,认为辽东湾西北及北部河口底质污染严重,葫芦岛市五里河桥下> 大凌河口北> 辽河口> 双台子河口等处.与历史资料的对比表明,4种重金属的平均含量均有所提高.     

Speciation of some heavy metals in bottom sediments of the Ob and Yenisei estuarine zones

The speciation of Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Co, Ni, Cr, Pb, and Cd was studied in 52 samples of bottom sediments collected during Cruise 49 of the R/V Dmitrii Mendeleev in estuaries of the Ob and Yenisei rivers in the southwestern Kara Sea. Immediately after sampling, the samples were subjected to on-board consecutive extraction to separate metal species according to their modes of occurrence in the sediments: (1) adsorbed, (2) amorphous Fe-Mn hydroxides and related metals, (3) organic + sulfide, and (4) residual, or lithogenic. The atomic absorption spectroscopy of the extracts was carried out at a stationary laboratory. The distribution of Fe, Zn, Cu, Co, Ni, Cr, Pb, and Cd species is characterized by the predominance of lithogenic or geochemically inert modes (70–95% of the bulk content), in which the metals are bound in terrigenous and clastic mineral particles and organic detritus. About half of the total Mn amount and 15–30% Zn and Cu is contained in geochemically mobile modes. The spatiotemporal variations in the proportions of metal species in the surface layer of sediments along the nearly meridional sections and through the vertical sections of bottom sediments cores testify that Mn and, to a lesser extent, Cu are the most sensitive to changes in the sedimentation environment. The role of their geochemically mobile species notably increases under reducing conditions.     

Catabolic and anabolic energy for chemolithoautotrophs in deep-sea hydrothermal systems hosted in different rock types

Active deep-sea hydrothermal vents are hosted by a range of different rock types, including basalt, peridotite, and felsic rocks. The associated hydrothermal fluids exhibit substantial chemical variability, which is largely attributable to compositional differences among the underlying host rocks. Numerical models were used to evaluate the energetics of seven inorganic redox reactions (potential catabolisms of chemolithoautotrophs) and numerous biomolecule synthesis reactions (anabolism) in a representative sampling of these systems, where chemical gradients are established by mixing hydrothermal fluid with seawater. The wide ranging fluid compositions dictate demonstrable differences in Gibbs energies (ΔG_r) of these catabolic and anabolic reactions in three peridotite-hosted, six basalt-hosted, one troctolite-basalt hybrid, and two felsic rock-hosted systems. In peridotite-hosted systems at low to moderate temperatures (<∼45 °C) and high seawater:hydrothermal fluid (SW:HF) mixing ratios (>10), hydrogen oxidation yields the most catabolic energy, but the oxidation of methane, ferrous iron, and sulfide can also be moderately exergonic. At higher temperatures, and consequent SW:HF mixing ratios <10, anaerobic processes dominate the energy landscape; sulfate reduction and methanogenesis are more exergonic than any of the aerobic respiration reactions. By comparison, in the basalt-hosted and felsic rock-hosted systems, sulfide oxidation was the predominant catabolic energy source at all temperatures (and SW:HF ratios) considered. The energetics of catabolism at the troctolite-basalt hybrid system were intermediate to these extremes. Reaction energetics for anabolism in chemolithoautotrophs—represented here by the synthesis of amino acids, nucleotides, fatty acids, saccharides, and amines—were generally most favorable at moderate temperatures (22-32 °C) and corresponding SW:HF mixing ratios (∼15). In peridotite-hosted and the troctolite-basalt hybrid systems, ΔG_r for primary biomass synthesis yielded up to ∼900 J per g dry cell mass. The energetics of anabolism in basalt- and felsic rock-hosted systems were far less favorable. The results suggest that in peridotite-hosted (and troctolite-basalt hybrid) systems, compared with their basalt (and felsic rock) counterparts, microbial catabolic strategies—and consequently variations in microbial phylotypes—may be far more diverse and some biomass synthesis may yield energy rather than imposing a high energetic cost.     

Using different amendments to reduce heavy metals movement in soils

With long-term use of sewage waste, heavy metals can accumulate to phytotoxic levels and resulted in reduced plant growth and/or enhanced metal concentrations in plants, as a result food chain. If these metals penetrate too rapidly in a particular soil, especially with high water table, they can pollute ground water supplies. The aim of this research is prevention of movement of waste water-borne heavy metals in soils of southern parts of Tehran. These waste waters are used for irrigation of agricultural lands at southern regions since many years ago. For this purpose, 6 soil samples from southern parts of Tehran city and 2 ones from Zanjan city without lime and organic matter were selected. In laboratory, sorption capacities of the soils for Ni, Cd and Pb were compared with those of calcite, Nabentonite, zeolite, illite and hematite amendments. The method was carried out by equilibration of known quantities of these adsorbents and soils with solutions containing these elements. The results showed that among the 5 amendments, calcite and Na-bentonite had the greatest sorption percentages of the 3 elements and illite had the least one. The retention capacity of calcite and Na-bentonite for Cd was highest in all 8 soils. However, retention capacities of these 2 minerals for Pb and Ni were higher than those of loamy soils without lime and organic matter and also sandy soils. Because of abundance and low price of calcite, this amendment is preferred to Na-bentonite. Therefore, calcite is recommended for adding to soils with low sorption capacity of Ni, Cd and Pb.     

Geochemical and mineralogical control of different genetic types of deep-sea nodules from the Pacific Ocean

Deep-sea nodules from the Northeast Pacific nodule belt and the Southeast Pacific (Sonne Basin), being formed in areas bordering the equatorial zone of high biological productivity, accumulate by two basically different growth processes: (A) early diagenetic growth by supply from pore water and (B) hydrogenetic growth by supply from near-bottom sea-water. These growth processes lead to different genetic types of nodules: early diagenetic type A, hydrogenetic type B, and mixed-type AB; a further type A_C, very rich in Mn, is being formed by increasing influence of early diagenesis. These types can clearly be distinguished by their shapes, surface textures, mineral constituents of oxide fraction, internal microstructures, and geochemistry. A genetical classification is being proposed on the basis of statistically computed interelement relationships. Todorokite, very poor in Fe, is the main Mn phase in the early diagenetic substance; -MnO₂ intimately intergrown with FeOOH · xH₂O is the main phase in the hydrogenetic substance. Consequently an important difference can be pointed out: the metal supply for the growth of the early diagenetic nodules is based on an ionic solution of Me²⁺ (e. g. Mn²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺), whereas the supply for the hydrogenetic nodules is caused by transport of colloidal particles. Mobilization of Mn²⁺ and fractionation from Fe is controlled by the amount of decomposing organic matter in the "peneliquid" layer of the sediments. The main factor controlling the intensity of early diagenesis is the biological productivity in surface waters. The crucial "point of reversal" at a Mn/Fe ratio of about 5, obtained by hyperbolical regression of the analyses of nodules from the Southeast Pacific, represents best concentrations in Ni and Cu. Mn/Fe quotients greater than 5 cause a decrease of Ni and Cu content. Nodules from the Northeast Pacific nodule belt generally contain higher concentrations in Cu than nodules from the Southeast Pacific. This can be explained by an additional supply of Cu transported below CCD by siliceous plankton.     

Relationship between magnetic properties and heavy metals of urban soils with different soil types and environmental settings: implications for magnetic mapping

Two types of soil (fluvisols and anthrosols) were collected from different environmental settings (suburb and industrial area) in Wuhan, central China, aiming to examine the applicability of magnetic mapping for heavy metal pollution of urban soil in a large region. Magnetic measurements and chemical analysis indicated elevated magnetization and heavy metal concentrations of topsoils in the industrial area. Magnetic susceptibility (χ), anhysteretic remanent magnetization (ARM) and saturation isothermal remanent magnetization (SIRM) of fluvisols are much higher than those of anthrosols, but contrary for frequency-dependent susceptibility, indicating that soil magnetism strongly depends on the soil type/condition. Predominant magnetic carrier in topsoils in industrial area is pseudo-single-domain/multi-domain magnetite. Environmental scanning electron microscope/energy dispersive X-ray examination of the magnetic extracts from these topsoils revealed abundant spherical particles with diameters of 10–50 μm that are rich in iron-oxides, and could be attributed to the nearby industrial activities (e.g., steel work and power generation). Significant correlations were observed between magnetic concentration-related parameters (e.g., χ, ARM and SIRM) and concentrations of Cu, Pb, Zn, Hg and Tomlinson pollution load index. These results proposed that magnetic proxy mapping of soil pollution is an effective, fast and inexpensive tool for delineation of heavy metal pollution. However, interpretation of magnetic properties for such a purpose must be done on a site-specific basis, taking into account the possibilities of pedogenic enhancement/depletion under the specific soil conditions.     

Changes in the molecular-level characteristics of sinking marine particles with water column depth

Over the past decade, sinking particulate organic matter (POM) samples from depth profiles in the equatorial Pacific have been analyzed by multiple techniques to evaluate the organic matter preservation mechanisms most dominant in the oceanic water column. How the samples were analyzed strongly influenced which organic matter preservation scheme appeared to dominate. Bulk functional group analysis by solid-state ¹³C-NMR showed that organic matter composition varied very little in light of the extreme degree of remineralization (>98%) that occurred with water column depth. This indicates preservation by a physical mechanism, such as sorption to mineral grains or protection within a mineral aggregate. However, detailed lipid studies of the characterizable fraction showed that selective preservation was important, with lipid structure being correlated with preservation over depth. However, the characterizable fraction decreases greatly with depth. Therefore, in this paper, direct temperature-resolved mass spectrometry (DT-MS), was used to further characterize POM, with the assumption that this approach could “see” a substantial proportion of the “uncharacterized” organic matter. DT-MS, which provides compositional information at an intermediate level between the detailed wet chemical studies and one-dimensional solid-state C¹³-NMR, also indicates an intermediate view between the mechanistic extremes of selective preservation and physical protection.     

Quantitative identification and source apportionment of anthropogenic heavy metals in marine sediment of Hong Kong

Based on ten heavy metals collected twice annually at 59 sites from 1998 to 2004, enrichment factors (EFs), principal component analysis (PCA) and multivariate linear regression of absolute principal component scores (MLR-APCS) were used in identification and source apportionment of the anthropogenic heavy metals in marine sediment. EFs with Fe as a normalizer and local background as reference values was properly tested and suitable in Hong Kong, and Zn, Ni, Pb, Cu, Cd, Hg and Cr mainly originated from anthropogenic sources, while Al, Mn and Fe were derived from rocks weathering. Rotated PCA and GIS mapping further identified two types of anthropogenic sources and their impacted regions: (1) electronic industrial pollution, riparian runoff and vehicle exhaust impacted the entire Victoria Harbour, inner Tolo Harbour, Eastern Buffer, inner Deep Bay and Cheung Chau; and (2) discharges from textile factories and paint, influenced Tsuen Wan Bay and Kwun Tong typhoon shelter and Rambler Channel. In addition, MLR-APCS was successfully introduced to quantitatively determine the source contributions with uncertainties almost less than 8%: the first anthropogenic sources were responsible for 50.0, 45.1, 86.6, 78.9 and 87.5% of the Zn, Pb, Cu, Cd and Hg, respectively, whereas 49.9% of the Ni and 58.4% of the Cr came from the second anthropogenic sources.     

Studies on the variations of heavy metals in the marine sediments off Kalpakkam,East Coast of India

During the last two decades, the coastal environment of southeast India has experienced intense developments in industry, urbanization and aquaculture. Moreover, the 2004 mega tsunami has devastated this coast, thus affecting the coastal sediment characteristics. These two phenomena prompted a study to characterize the sediment, to understand the mechanisms influencing the distribution of heavy metals and to create baseline data for future impact assessment. Results showed that the coastal sediment was carpeted with a mosaic of sand and silty sand with a minor amount of clay. Heavy metal values showed maximum variation for Fe and minimum for Cd. Their average values showed the following decreasing trend: Fe > Cu > Zn > Pb > Cr > Ni > Cd. This study shows that the major source of metals at Kalpakkam coast are land-based anthropogenic ones, such as, discharge from industrial waste, agricultural waste, urban, municipal and slum sewage into the Buckingham canal, which in turn discharges into the sea through backwaters, particularly during northeast monsoon period. A clear signature of the role of backwater discharge increasing the concentration of a few metals in the coastal sediments during monsoon period was observed. Assessments of the degree of pollution, concentration factor (CF), geoaccumulation index (I _geo) and pollution load index (PLI) have been calculated. CF values and I _geo indicated that the coastal sediment is moderately polluted by Cu and Cd. Increase in Cu, Pb and Zn concentration during the monsoon period (October–January) compared to the rest of the year was noticed. Factor analysis and correlation among the heavy metals concluded that Cr, Ni, Cd and Fe are of crustal origin, whereas, Cu, Pb and Zn are from anthropogenic sources. Organic carbon content in the sediment increased during monsoon period, pointing to the role of land runoff and backwater discharge in enhancing its content. The study also elucidates the impact of the recent tsunami in depleting metal content in the coastal sediment as compared to the pre-tsunami period.     

Mineralogical study of secondary mineral phases from weathered MSWI bottom ash: implications for the modelling and trapping of heavy metals

A mineralogical study of 3 samples of municipal solid waste incineration bottom ash collected from different storage sites and with storage times varying from 3 weeks to 2 years, has enabled identification of the main secondary mineral species formed during weathering. The frequencies of the secondary phases were determined and a diagram is proposed for the relative distribution of the newly formed mineral phases: calcite ≫ Fe oxides quartz ⩾ sulphates and/or ettringite (depending on the amount of reactive Al present in the bottom ash). This approach, involving careful sampling, sample preparation and the combined use of various analytical techniques, also showed the high frequency of Al hydroxides and amorphous phases and helped to identify more than 30 sulphates s.l. (sulphates, chromates, vanadates, etc.). Most of the secondary minerals (carbonates and sulphates s.l.) have broad metal trapping capacities for heavy element uptake (Pb, Zn, Cd, As, V, Cr, etc.) due to their crystal-chemistry characteristics. Ca-oxalates were also identified. Mineralogical data from the study provide new input for thermochemical models. The relative stability of metal uptake and the extent of associated neogenesis occurring during bottom-ash decomposition is discussed. Sulphate minerals (and certain heavy metal oxides (zincite)), which are extremely sensitive to environmental conditions, can trap metals only temporarily, as opposed to Fe oxyhydroxides (As, etc.) and carbonates (Pb, Zn, Cd), which are more stable under atmospheric conditions and constitute more sustainable trapping media with higher liquid/solid (L/S) ratios. Finally, a composite predictive diagram is proposed for the mineralogical evolution of bottom ash that accounts for variations in L/S ratios.     

Noble metals in the bottom sediments of the Chukchi Sea

Abundance of noble metals (NM) and bulk chemical composition have been studied in bottom sediments of the Chukchi Sea. Distribution of NM and their correlation with major and trace elements in the sediments have been analyzed using multicomponent statistics. It was established that the average contents of NM in the bottom sediments of the Chukchi Sea significantly exceed those both in shelf terrigenous sediments and stratisphere. Osmium and iridium enrich mixed and pelitic sediments relative to shallow-water areas and their influx is presumably determined by erosion of coastal and bottom loose deposits. High Ag, Ru, Au, and Pt contents were identified in the clayey sediments enriched in biogenic elements in the individual areas of the Southern Chukchi plain (Chukchi sea) confined to the intersection zones of submeridional and sublatitudinal structures of the graben-rift system, which was formed in the Mesozoic and activated in the late Cenozoic time.     

Distribution of heavy metals and pollution pathways in a shallow marine shelf: assessment for a future management

The spatial distribution and geoaccumulation indices of four heavy metals were investigated in very shallow marine sediments of southwestern Spain. Surface sediments were collected from 43 sites with water depth ranging from 3 to 20 m. High to very high pollution levels (I _geo > 4 for zinc, lead and copper) were detected near the end of the Huelva bank, whereas chromium shows a more hazardous distribution in the southwestern Spanish littoral. Low to moderate heavy metal contents (mainly zinc and lead) were also observed in other two areas at different water depths (Isla Cristina-Piedras River: 10–18 m water depth; Mazagón–Matalascañas: <10 m water depth), whereas unpolluted to moderately polluted sediments were detected in the very shallow zones (<8 m water depth) located between the mouths of the Guadiana and the Piedras Rivers. A regional scenario indicates a strong pollution of the adjacent marine areas by polluted inputs derived from the Tinto–Odiel rivers, with a partial transport of heavy metals by W–E littoral currents even 40 km eastward. The Guadiana River is an additional source of zinc–lead contamination near the Spanish–Portuguese border, mainly at water depths up to 10 m. All these rivers are affected by acid mine drainage processes, derived from millennial mining activities. This pollution affects the sediment quality even 40 km eastward.     

Competitive sorption of intermixed heavy metals in water repellent soil in Southern Australia

In water repellent soil, Cr, Pb and Cu showed higher adsorption intensities than Zn, Cd and Ni did. Soil water repellency is much more widespread than formerly thought. In order to promote fertility and productivity, the irrigation of recycled water onto water repellent soil may be an applied technology to be used in some areas of Southern Australia. Therefore, heavy metals in recycled water potentially enter into the soil. The competitive sorption and retention capacity of heavy metals in soil are important to be determined, especially considering the special geochemical origin of water repellent soil that was caused by waxes on or between the soil particles. Batch equilibrium sorption experiments on Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn in their typical proportion in recycled water were conducted in water repellent soil. The sorption intensity, sorption isotherm in the experiments together showed that Cr, Pb and Cu have higher sorption intensity than those of Zn, Ni and Cd in the competitive system. The risk assessment for the application of recycled water onto water repellent soil is definitely necessary, especially for the metal cations with relatively weak sorption.     

Flocculation of heavy metals during mixing of freshwater with Caspian Sea water

Flocculation of colloidal size fraction for Cu, Zn, Pb, Ni and Mn was investigated on a series of mixtures with water salinities ranging from 1.5 to 9.5‰ during mixing of Haraz River with the Caspian Sea water. The flocculation trend of Zn (85.5%) > Mn (55.2%) > Cu (39.6%) > Pb (33.7%) > Ni (11.3%) indicates that Cu, Zn, Pb and Mn have non-conservative behavior and Ni has relatively conservative behavior during estuarine mixing. Highest flocculation of heavy metals occurs between salinities of 1.5 and 4.5‰. Statistical analysis indicates that the flocculation of Cu, Zn and Ni is governed by pH and total nitrogen.     

不同类型降雨过程中GPS可降水量的特征分析

利用成都地基GPS观测网2007年8月21日～2008年11月30日观测数据,结合地面自动气象站网资料反演GPS大气可降水量(P_WV)。选取夏季暴雨,秋季绵雨和冬季雨雪天气过程分析GPSP_WV在不同类型降雨天气过程中的演变特征及日变化规律。结果表明,发生在不同季节的暴雨对应PWV的演变有所不同,盛夏暴雨发生在P_WV由峰值向波谷变化过程中,夏末的暴雨则出现在由波谷向波峰转变阶段,降雨前GPSP_WV的增减速率可很好地预示其后的暴雨强度。在秋季绵雨中P_WV的连续大幅递增或递减可作为降雨开始或结束的预报依据。GPSP_WV在降雨天气分析及预报中具有重要的指示意义。     

Assessment of heavy metals in sediment and in suspended particles affected by multiple anthropogenic contributions in harbours

La Goulette, Rades and Sidi Bou Said harbours are considered as the most important commercial and tourist ports in the Gulf of Tunis. They are located on the northeast coast of Tunis and receive industrial and municipal wastewaters from Tunis city. The contamination level of copper, lead, zinc, cadmium, manganese, iron, total nitrogen and total organic carbon in the surface sediments was assessed on the basis of the enrichment index factors and corresponding to sediment quality guidelines. The results revealed moderate to highly elevated concentrations near to the sites of intense industrial, shipping and/or commercial activities suggesting a direct influence of these sources. In winter and summer, concentrations varied for cadmium, 0.28–1.40 mg kg^?1; lead, 18–217 mg kg^?1; zinc, 87–459 mg kg^?1; copper, 8–121 mg kg^?1; manganese, 208–254 mg kg^?1; and for iron, 24–40 g kg^?1. Furthermore, in summer the concentration of the total organic carbon and the total nitrogen contents range between 4.3–6.5 % and 0.06–0.49 % with an average value of 5.9 and 0.15 %, respectively. Whereas, in winter, total organic carbon and the total nitrogen concentrations varied between 2.3–9.6 % and 0.03–0.22 % with an average value of 6.1 and 0.14 %, respectively. The levels of lead, copper, zinc and iron in suspended particulate matter content range between 3.1–27.5 mg kg^?1; 0.4–11.7 mg kg^?1; 1–1.5 mg kg^?1; 1.2–1.7 g kg^?1, respectively. This study revealed that heavy metals pollution is mainly localized in the commercial (Rades) and fishing (La Goulette) harbours and not in the yachting (Sidi Bou Said) harbour.