Relation of sediment characteristics to trace metal concentrations: A statistical study

Twenty six geographically and hydrologically diverse sediment samples were collected from major rivers in eastern China and analyzed for sediment char acteristics (grain size distribution, iron, manganese and their oxyhydroxid es, aluminum, total organic carbon, surface area and surface site density) and Cd, Cu, Pb and zn concentrations. The relation of sediment characterist ics to trace metal concentrations was statistically studied by Kendall rank and partial rank correlation analysis. Although a variety of sediment char acteristics showed apparent correlations with trace metal concentrations, m ost of them were caused by the interrelation among the characteristics them selves. The partial correlation analysis indicated that trace metal concent rations of the relatively uncontaminated sediments can be better interprete d by the sediment surface area (an integrated characteristic) and aluminum content (an indication of the local geochemical processes). (C) 1999 Elsevi er Science Ltd. All rights reserved.