Geochemical properties of sediments in the Scheldt estuary with emphasis on trace metals

Surficial sediment of the Scheldt estuary were collected with a Van Veen grab at 57 stations between Temse and Vlissingen. They were analyzed for major elements (Si, Al, Fe, Ca, Mg, Na, K, Corg, Cinorg, Norg and P) and trace metals (Mn, Cr, Ni, Co, Zn, Cu, Cd, Pb, Li). Factor analysis indicates that 44% of the variance can be explained by one factor which exhibits a high saturation for trace metals, organic matter, Al and Fe, all variables typical of fine muds. The high scores of this first factor are almost exclusively present in the upper estuary except for one area in front of Terneuzen. Th... Mehr ...