Metals in sediment and water of three reed (Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Stend.) stands

In the frame of the research program EUREED (Effects of interaction between eutrophication and major environmental factors on the ecosystem stability of reed (Phragmites australis) vegetation in European land-water ecotones), three reed stands, established near Alcacer do Sal, Lagoa de Albufeira and Montargil, were studied. The stands were monitored monthly between Decembe r 1993 and December 1994 for productivity, soil and water chemistry. The re lationship between the concentration of some metals in soil and water and i ts influence on the stability of the reed vegetation was studied. Environme ntal factors, such as salinity, negative redox potential on the root system and high Cu, Na and Zn concentrations in soil did not affect the normal de velopment of reed vegetation and its capability to recover after mechanical damage.