A contemporary contamination record of stormdrain and harbour sediments, Wellington, New Zealand

Sediments from stormdrain catchments and outlets in Wellington city and sed iment traps from Wellington Harbour were sampled for trace metal content. S amples were analysed for total metal content using XRF and ICP-MS. High val ues of Pb and Zn were found in stormdrain catchments and outlets, decreasin g to elevated background rock levels in the harbour. Maximum values were re corded in an inner city stormdrain catchment, with levels of Pb (4605 ppm), Cu (2981 ppm) and Zn (3572 ppm) all higher than the biological probable ef fects levels (PEL). Concentrations of As, Cr, Cu, Pb, Ni and Zn concentrati ons in all harbour sediment trap samples were below the PEL. The mean value s for each harbour sediment trap sample can be used as an accurate historic al baseline in future studies. Stormdrain samples with high trace metal lev els were close to industrial and construction sites. The proximity of these outlets to recreational areas should be of concern to local authorities.