Dissolved Cd behaviour in some selected french and chinese estuaries. Consequences on Cd supply to the ocean

Few data on dissolved trace metals in rivers and estuaries are presently available. This paper is an attempt to provide additional data on dissolved concentrations obtained in polluted and so-called unpolluted river estuarine systems. Data for two major French rivers (Gironde, Rhône) have been compared with the Chinese Yellow River (Huanghe) and Yangtze River (Changjiang). Dissolved Cd concentrations have been measured by differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry. Average concentrations range from 15 ng kg⁻¹ to 50 ng kg⁻¹ (0.13–0.45 nmol kg⁻¹) in the French rivers and are below 4 ng kg⁻¹ (0.040 nmol kg⁻¹) in the Chinese rivers.In all the estuaries studied the dissolved Cd concentrations depict a systematic bulge in the mixing zone which is attributed largely to remobilization processes from particulate matter when the chlorinity increases. Other parameters that may also play a significant role for remobilization are discussed. The processes concerned lead us to reassess the net Cd river input to the oceans, and this should be taken into account for a more precise evaluation of the residence time of oceanic Cd.