CONTAMINATED SEDIMENT IN 2 UNITED-KINGDOM ESTUARIES

This paper reports on the results of contamination studies undertaken in the Forth and Tamar estuaries. Both estuaries have unique contamina tion (for British estuaries), with the Forth experiencing significant mercury (Hg) pollution and the Tamar experiencing significant arsenic (As) pollution, In addition, due to the presence of nuclear submarine bases in both estuaries, Co-60 was detectable in the intertidal sedime nts. Temporal and spatial contamination patterns are analyzed in relat ion to historical and present pollution point sources. The effect of f luvial and marine sediment mixing on trace metal results and other pro cesses controlling contaminant levels are reviewed. Preliminary result s on quantifying sediment accretion rates using Cs levels are discusse d.