HEAVY-METAL CONTENTS IN RIVER SEDIMENTS

Extensive sample material from river sediments of Carinthia (Austria) was investigated with regard to the contents of heavy metals that are relevant to the environment, Zn, Cd, Pb, Cu, Cr and Ni. The fraction < 20 mu m was separated from the total sample to minimize the effect of grain size. The disintegration was done with aqua regia. The results were related to the geochemical data of the geological background. Therefore the amount of anthropogenic pollution due to industry and overcrowded areas was determined. Especially the influence of industrial emissions from Pb-Zn smeltings is shown by extremely high values of Zn (18400 ppm), Cd (126 ppm) and ph (7540 ppm). The contents of Cu, Cr and Ni in the metamorphic rocks from the Central Alps represent the geogenic influences, but the high values from 200 to 300 ppm Cr refer to actions of industries producing highly refrectory materials and chemical industries. The results of the elements zinc and nickel are documented in maps.