Trace elements distributions in aquatic sediments of Danang - Hoian area, Vietnam

Distribution of the trace elements Cr, Cu, Ni, Ph and Zn in surficial sedim ents of the river/sea environment in Danang - Hoian area (Vietnam) was inve stigated to examine the degree of metal pollution caused by anthropogenic a ctivities. Point sources from domestic and industrial wastes are identified as dominant contributors of trace element accumulation. Surficial sediment s of Hoian River show extremely high total concentrations of Cu (Average Co ncentration 295 mu g/g), Ni (AC 112 mu g/g), Pb (AC 396 mu g/g) and Zn (AC 429 mu g/g) that exceed assigned safety levels ER-M. Similarly, the sedimen ts of Han River show high Pb (AC 188 mu g/g) and Zn (AC 282 mu g/g) content s. In marine sediments of Thanhbinh beach Pb is also enriched (138 mu g/g) above guideline levels. In contrast the sediments of the Cude River are dom inated by trace element concentrations close to background values.