Trace metal speciation in European River waters

Within an EC-study of the relationship between the chemistry of the aquatic system and resulting toxicological effects of heavy metals on micro-organi sms, the speciation of trace metals is being assessed. The set-up of a spec iation scheme is described, in which surface water is characterised in term s of total metal concentrations, nutrients, general parameters like DOG, pH and conductivity, metal binding properties and in which biologically relev ant metal fractions are determined.