Assessment of heavy metal cations in sediments of Shing Mun River, Hong Kong

The extent of heavy metal cation contamination in the Shing Mun River has b een assessed. Sediment samples were taken at eight strategic locations alon g the river system. The highest concentrations of copper (Cu, 1.66 mg/g), l ead (Pb, 0.354 mg/g), zinc (Zn, 2.2 mg/g) and chromium (Cr, 0.047 mg/g) wer e found in the Fo Tan Nullah, a major tributary of the Shing Mun River. The highest concentrations of aluminum (114 mg/g) and cadmium (Cd, 0.047 mg/g) were found in the Shing Mun Main River Channel. These contaminated sedimen ts, accumulated over the years on the river bed, could act as secondary sou rces of pollution to the overlying water column in the river. (C) 2001 Else vier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.