Total mercury, cadmium, copper, zinc and arsenic contents in surface sediments from the coastal region of the central Adriatic

Abstract

     In the framework of the Long-term Programme for Pol­lution Monitoring MED POL Phase II, the Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries in collaboration with the "J. Stefan" Institute, has analysed total Hg, Cd, Cu, Zn and As contents by neutron activation analysis (NAA) in surface sediments sampled during 1985 and 1986 in the vicinity of industrial and urban centres located over the wider territo­ry of the central and southern Adriatic coast. Results obtai­ned show that the highest values for most elements were recorded from stations in the vicinity of Šibenik and Split, suggesting the influence of industrial and urban effluents from these two largest central Adriatic towns.