| Abstract: | The scope of this work is the study of the distribution and accumulation of Cu, Cr, Cd, Pb and Hg in waters and sediments from Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro. An attempt was made to balance removal to the sediments and outputs from the bay. Metal contamination in the sediments is only observed at short distances from the identified point sources. In spite of high primary productivity, the sediments are relatively poor in organic carbon content due to intensive respiratory processes already occurring in the water column. This, together with a very efficient tidal current system which brings oxygen-rich waters in contact with anoxic sediments, certainly plays an important role in heavy metal remobilization. |
