Elements In Surface Waters Research Articles

Contents, seasonal variations, and forms of migration of major and minor elements in surface waters in the area of the Tyrnyauz Tungsten–Molybdenum Combine (TTMC) and adjacent areas (Kabardino-Balkarian Republic, Russian Federation) and actions for recovery of the ecological environment

Anomalous concentrations of numerous major and minor elements significantly exceeding the threshold limit values (TLV) for drinking water were registered in the area of the Tyrnyauz Tungsten–Molybdenum Combine (TTMC). The maximal excess of the TLV (by one or two orders of magnitude) were obtained for Mo (up to 11 mg/L), W (4.4 mg/L), As (1.5 mg/L), Mn (8.4 mg/L), and Tl (up to 3.3 μg/L) in water of the Bolshoi Mukulan Brook flowing through the mines and three brooks flowing out from the base of the embankment of the tailing store no. 1. They are the major pollutants for water of the Baksan River. Upon flowing out to the plain, water of the Baksan River shows significant excess of the TLVs (in summer) for Al, Fe, Mn, Be, Si, Ti, Tl, and Hg.

Trace Elements in Water, Sediments and the Elongate Tigerfish Hydrocynus forskahlii (Cuvier 1819) from Lake Turkana, Kenya Including a Comprehensive Health Risk Analysis.

This study presents the distribution of 17 major and trace elements in surface water, sediments and fish tissues from Lake Turkana, Kenya. Eight sediment and ten water samples from the west bank of the lake, as well as 34 specimens of the elongate tigerfish Hydrocynus forskahlii caught in that region were examined. It is the first report for Li, Rb, Sr, Mo from the lake and the first report on most of the trace elements for this fish species. The concentrations of elements in the water and sediments showed no sign of pollution. In fish muscle, Li, Zn and Cd showed relatively high abundances, with mean concentrations of 206, 427 and 0.56 mg/kg dw, respectively. The calculated target hazard quotient values for Li, Zn, Sr and Cd were 138.7, 1.9, 4.1 and 0.76, respectively; therefore the consumption of these fish poses a health risk to humans in the area.

Has irrigated water from Mahaweli River contributed to the kidney disease of uncertain etiology in the dry zone of Sri Lanka?

The Mahaweli is the largest river basin in Sri Lanka that provides water to the dry zone region through multipurpose irrigation schemes . Selenium, arsenic, cadmium, and other bioimportant trace elements in surface waters of the upper Mahaweli River were measured using ICP-MS. Trace element levels were then compared with water from two other rivers (Maha Oya, Kalu Ganga) and from six dry zone irrigation reservoirs. Results showed that the trace metal concentrations in the Mahaweli upper catchment were detected in the order of Fe>Cu>Zn>Se>Cr>Mn>As>Ni>Co>Mo. Remarkably high levels of Ca, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, As, and Se were observed in the Mahaweli Basin compared to other study rivers. Considerably high levels of Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, and Se were found in upstream tributaries of the Mahaweli River. Such metals possibly originated from phosphate and organic fertilizers that are heavily applied for tea and vegetable cultivations within the drainage basin. Cadmium that is often attributed to the etiology of unknown chronic kidney diseases in certain parts of the dry zone is much lower than previously reported levels. Decrease in these metals in the lower part of the Mahaweli River could be due to adsorption of trace metals onto sediment and consequent deposition in reservoirs.

Spatial distribution, health risk assessment and statistical source identification of the trace elements in surface water from the Xiangjiang River, China.

Surface water samples were collected from the sampling sites throughout the Xiangjiang River for investigating spatial variation, risk assessment and source identification of the trace elements. The results indicated that the mean concentrations of the elements were under the permissible limits as prescribed by guidelines except arsenic (As). Based on the health risk indexes, the primary contributor to the chronic risks was arsenic (As), which was suggested to be the most important pollutant leading to non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic concerns. Individuals, who depend on surface water from the Xiangjiang River for potable and domestic use, might be subjected to the integrated health risks for exposure to the mixed trace elements. Children were more sensitive to the risks than the adults, and the oral intake was the primary exposure pathway. Besides, multivariate statistical analyses revealed that arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), selenium (Se), and mercury (Hg) mainly derived from the chemical industrial wastewaters and the coal burning, and zinc (Zn) copper (Cu) and chromium (Cr) mainly originated from the natural erosion, the mineral exploitation activities, and the non-point agricultural sources. As a whole, the upstream of the Xiangjiang River was explained as the high polluted region relatively.

Developing protocols for geochemical baseline studies: An example from the Coles Hill uranium deposit, Virginia, USA

In this study, we determined baseline geochemical conditions in stream sediments and surface waters surrounding an undeveloped uranium deposit. Emphasis was placed on study design, including site selection to encompass geological variability and temporal sampling to encompass hydrological and climatic variability, in addition to statistical methods for baseline data analysis. The concentrations of most elements in stream sediments were above analytical detection limits, making them amenable to standard statistical analysis. In contrast, some trace elements in surface water had concentrations that were below the respective detection limits, making statistical analysis more challenging. We describe and compare statistical methods appropriate for concentrations that are below detection limits (non-detect data) and conclude that regression on order statistics provided the most rigorous analysis of our results, particularly for trace elements. Elevated concentrations of U and deposit-associated elements (e.g. Ba, Pb, and V) were observed in stream sediments and surface waters downstream of the deposit, but concentrations were below regulatory guidelines for the protection of aquatic ecosystems and for drinking water. Analysis of temporal trends indicated that concentrations of major and trace elements were most strongly related to stream discharge. These findings highlight the need for sampling protocols that will identify and evaluate the temporal and spatial variations in a thorough baseline study.

Selected elements in surface waters of Antarctica and their relations with the natural environment

The aim of the study was to specify the concentration of selected chemical elements in surface waters of King George Island, off the western coast of the Antarctic Peninsula. The research encompassed six streams, a lake and an artificial water reservoir located on the western coast of Admiralty Bay. Measured hydrochemical parameters included pH, conductivity, total dissolved solids (TDS), and total and dissolved forms elements such as Al, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Mn, Fe, As and Se. The values of pH, conductivity and TDS had the following ranges: 6.09–8.21, 6.0–875 µS cm−1 and 7.0–975 mg/L, respectively, and were typical for surface waters of Antarctica. Wide disparities were discovered regarding concentrations of the investigated elements, ranging from <0.01 µg/L for Cd to 510 µg/L for Fe, and differing from one water body to another. The investigated elements are discussed with reference to environmental conditions and anthropogenic factors. Concentrations of total and dissolved forms of elements are considered in connection with the composition of soil in their surroundings and with atmospheric deposition, mostly such as that took place locally. The increased levels of Pb and Zn concentrations in the immediate proximity of a research station suggested anthropogenic contamination.Keywords: Antarctic surface waters; total and dissolved elements; baseline elements values; anthropogenic metal contamination(Published: 21 March 2014)To access the supplementary material for this article, please see Supplementary files in the column to the right (under Article Tools).Citation: Polar Research 2014, 33, 21417, http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/polar.v33.21417

Physico-chemical parameters of surface and ground water and their environmental impact assessment in the Haripur Basin, Pakistan

The present work is a comprehensive evaluation of surface and ground water quality of Haripur basin (comprising an industrial estate), Pakistan. Heavy metals, trace elements (i.e., Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Fe, Ni, Zn, Co, Mn, As and Hg) and physical parameters such as pH, total dissolved solids (TDS) and electrical conductivity (EC) were investigated in 98 sampling points and compared with the WHO guidelines for drinking water. The average metal concentrations in surface and ground water were found in the order of Fe>Mn>Zn>Ni>Pb>Co>Cr>Cu>Cd>As>Hg and Zn>Fe>Pb>Mn>Cr>Cu>Ni>Cd>Co>As>Hg respectively. Furthermore, chronic daily intake (CDI) and hazard quotient (HQ) were also calculated. HQ was found to be <1 for all the heavy metals and trace elements, suggesting no health risk. The multivariate techniques (i.e., correlation, principal component analysis and cluster analysis) for the interpretation of the metal data obtained during the monitoring programme revealed that there is an increase in the concentrations of heavy metals and trace elements in surface water and shallow water relative to deep water. This can be correlated with the discharge of effluents from the existing industries into the stream water in the basin.

Biogeochemistry of carbon, major and trace elements in watersheds of northern Eurasia drained to the Arctic Ocean: The change of fluxes, sources and mechanisms under the climate warming prospective

Warming of the permafrost accompanied by the release of ancient soil organic carbon is one of the most significant environmental threats within the global climate change scenario. While the main sites of permafrost carbon processing and its release to the atmosphere are thermokarst (thaw) lakes and ponds, the main carriers of carbon and related major and trace elements from the land to the Arctic ocean are Russian subarctic rivers. The source of carbon in these rivers is atmospheric C consumed by chemical weathering of rocks and amplified by plant uptake and litter decomposition. This multidisciplinary study describes results of more than a decade of observations and measurements of elements fluxes, stocks and mechanisms in the Russian boreal and subarctic zone, from Karelia region to the Kamchatka peninsula, along the gradient of permafrost-free terrain to continuous permafrost settings, developed on various lithology and vegetation types. We offer a comprehensive, geochemically-based view on the functioning of aquatic boreal systems which quantifies the role of the following factors on riverine element fluxes: (1) the specificity of lithological substrate; (2) the importance of organic and organo-mineral colloidal forms, notably during the snowmelt season; (3) the phenomenon of lakes seasonal overturn; (4) the role of permafrost within the small and large watersheds; and (5) the governing role of terrestrial vegetation in element mobilization from rock substrate to the river. Care of such a multiple approach, a first order prediction of the evolution of element stocks and fluxes under scenario of progressive warming in high latitudes becomes possible. It follows the increase of frozen peat thawing in western Siberia will increase the stocks of elements in surface waters by a factor of 3 to 10 whereas the increase of the thickness of active layer, the biomass and the primary productivity all over permafrost-affected zone will bring about a short-term increase of elements stocks in labile reservoir (plant litter) and riverine fluxes by a factor of 2. The change of the plant productivity and community composition under climate warming in central Siberia will be the most important factor of major and trace element fluxes increase (probably a factor of 2) from the soil to the river and, finally, to the Arctic Ocean.

Miniaturized voltammetric stripping on screen printed gold electrodes for field determination of copper in atmospheric deposition

The applicability of commercial screen-printed gold electrodes (SPGEs) connected to a portable potentiostat and a laptop has been explored to optimize a new square wave anodic stripping voltammetric method for on-site determination of soluble Cu(II) in atmospheric deposition samples taken around an industrial complex. Electrode conditioning procedures, chemical and instrumental variables have been optimized to develop a reliable method capable of measuring dissolved copper with a detection limit of 3.7ngmL−1, useful for pollution monitoring or screening purposes. The proposed method was tested with the SLRS-5 River Water for Trace Metals (recoveries 109.9–113.1%) and the SPS-SW2 Batch 121 Elements in Surface Waters (recoveries 93.2–97.6%). The method was applied to soluble Cu(II) measurement in liquid samples taken by a total atmospheric deposition collector modified with a quartz filter for soluble and insoluble elemental speciation. The voltammetric measurements on field samples were tested in the lab by a reference ICP-MS method, with good agreement. The proposed method proved capability for field operation during a two weeks monitoring campaign.

Barium as a Potential Indicator of Phosphorus in Agricultural Runoff

In many catchments, anthropogenic input of contaminants, and in particular phosphorus (P), into surface water is a mixture of agricultural and sewage runoff. Knowledge about the relative contribution from each of these sources is vital for mitigation of major environmental problems such as eutrophication. In this study, we investigated whether the distribution of trace elements in surface waters can be used to trace the contamination source. Water from three groups of streams was investigated: streams influenced only by agricultural runoff, streams influenced mainly by sewage runoff, and reference streams. Samples were collected at different flow regimes and times of year and analyzed for 62 elements using ICP-MS. Our results show that there are significant differences between the anthropogenic sources affecting the streams in terms of total element composition and individual elements, indicating that the method has the potential to trace anthropogenic impact on surface waters. The elements that show significant differences between sources are strontium (p < 0.001), calcium (p < 0.004), potassium (p < 0.001), magnesium (p < 0.001), boron (p < 0.001), rhodium (p = 0.001), and barium (p < 0.001). According to this study, barium shows the greatest potential as a tracer for an individual source of anthropogenic input to surface waters. We observed a strong relationship between barium and total P in the investigated samples (R(2) = 0.78), which could potentially be used to apportion anthropogenic sources of P and thereby facilitate targeting of mitigation practices.

Trace elements in surface water in Amur River basin

A wide range of trace elements contained in solution and suspension in surface waters in Amur River basin, which are subject to different anthropogenic load, has been considered. They have been found to vary widely because of their natural conditions, the impact of anthropogenic factors near cities (Khabarovsk, Komsomol’sk-on-Amur), and transboundary transport from the territory of China. Dissolved Mo, Br, and I are proposed as tracers of such transport.

Accumulation and fractionation of rare earth elements in surface waters of the Russian Far East under the conditions of natural and anthropogenic anomalies

The distribution and fractionation of rare earth elements were studied in surface waters from areas with different anthropogenic impacts in the southern part of the Russian Far East and in natural anomalous waters from areas with intense volcanic-hydrothermal activity. The levels of REE contents and their fractionation in the sequence from the light to heavy REE were estimated in different waters, and their connections with major ions and other trace elements, primarily Al, Fe, and Mn, were determined. The relations of the main forms of REE migration (dissolved and suspended) in surface waters were evaluated, and fundamental differences were detected in the accumulation of REE in the natural acid waters of the Kuril Islands and under continental conditions related to their deep input and redistribution in streams.

Geographic Distribution of Arsenic and Trace Metals in Lotic Ecosystems of the Pampa Plain, Argentina

In this paper, the geographic distribution of arsenic and other trace elements in surface waters of 39 lotic ecosystems of central Argentina was evaluated. Manganese and arsenic were the most conspicuous elements, being present in 82% and 59% of the sampled ecosystems of this region, respectively. As concentration averaged 113.69 μg L⁻¹ varying between 55 and 198 μg L⁻¹, other trace elements were hardly detected or not detected at all. It was remarkable the absence of detectable concentrations of anthropogenically derived metals as lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd).

Alteration of As-bearing phases in a small watershed located on a high grade arsenic-geochemical anomaly (French Massif Central)

At a watershed scale, sediments and soil weathering exerts a control on solid and dissolved transport of trace elements in surface waters and it can be considered as a source of pollution. The studied subwatershed (1.5 km2) was located on an As-geochemical anomaly. The studied soil profile showed a significant decrease of As content from 1500 mg kg−1 in the 135–165 cm deepest soil layer to 385 mg kg−1 in the upper 0–5 cm soil layer. Directly in the stream, suspended matter and the <63 μm fraction of bed sediments had As concentrations greater than 400 mg kg−1. In all these solid fractions, the main representative As-bearing phases were determined at two different observation scales: bulk analyses using X-ray absorption structure spectroscopy (XAS) and microanalyses using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and associated electron probe microanalyses (EPMA), as well as micro-Raman spectroscopy and synchrotron-based micro-scanning X-ray diffraction (μSXRD) characterization. Three main As-bearing phases were identified: (i) arsenates (mostly pharmacosiderite), the most concentrated phases As in both the coherent weathered bedrock and the 135–165 cm soil layer but not observed in the river solid fraction, (ii) Fe-oxyhydroxides with in situ As content up to 15.4 wt.% in the deepest soil layer, and (iii) aluminosilicates, the least concentrated As carriers. The mineralogical evolution of As-bearing phases in the soil profile, coupled with the decrease of bulk As content, may be related to pedogenesis processes, suggesting an evolution of arsenates into As-rich Fe-oxyhydroxides. Therefore, weathering and mineralogical evolution of these As-rich phases may release As to surface waters.

Geochemistry of trace elements in surface waters of the Arno River Basin, northern Tuscany, Italy

Trace element geochemistry of the Arno River and its main tributaries was investigated on the basis of two sampling campaigns carried out in November 1996 and June 1997. By analyzing filtered and unfiltered water samples, Fe and Al are found in solution mainly as colloidal particles of size lower than 0.45 μm. In June (lower flow rate), Fe and Al are enriched in the filtered waters from the main river, and this feature was interpreted in terms of higher water temperature promoting the formation of smaller particles, thus reducing their aggregation properties. Iron and Al show perfectly synchronous downstream profiles along the Arno River, correlate quite well each to other, and display abrupt concentration increases near to Florence, where the lithology of the catchment changes from siliciclastic dominated to clay-sand (lacustrine-marine)-dominated. The same behaviour is shown by most of the other trace elements in the river, thus supporting a general lithological control. Trace elements in the final part of the Arno River are influenced by flocculation processes in addition to mixing. Adsorption phenomena on oxy-hydroxides are denoted by good elemental correlations with Fe (and Al). Sporadic anomalous concentration values, possibly related to anthropogenic contributions, may prevent such correlations. Referring to the quality of waters for potable use and fish life, toxic elements are below the acceptable limits of current European regulations, with few exceptions for Hg exceeding guideline values. Multivariate analysis groups trace elements according to geochemical affinities and natural or anthropogenic sources, thus distinguishing contaminated from uncontaminated samples. The results achieved in this work will help regional and national Authorities for compliance with the EU water policy, especially in assessing the water quality at the river basin scale and its vulnerability to human activities.

Comparison of the behaviour of rare earth elements in surface waters, overburden groundwaters and bedrock groundwaters in two granitoidic settings, Eastern Sweden

This work, which was done within the Swedish nuclear waste management program, was carried out in order to increase the understanding of the mobility and fate of rare earth elements (REEs) in natur ...

Residual effects of lead and zinc mining on freshwater mussels in the Spring River Basin (Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma, USA)

Concentrations of selected trace elements in surface water and fluvial sediment were investigated as possible factors limiting the distribution and abundance of freshwater mussels in the Spring River Basin, a 6600 km(2) watershed overlapping a former Pb and Zn mining and ore processing district in the central USA. Mussel taxa richness surveys and supporting physical habitat assessments were performed in 23 stream reaches dispersed throughout the basin and above and below former mining sites. Quantitative mussel density surveys were performed in the Spring River at one upstream reference location and one downstream location. Concentrations of 16 trace elements in the soft tissues of mussels and Asian clams (Corbicula fluminea) were determined at most survey sites. Comparable analyses were performed on surface water samples collected during base flow and peak flow synoptic surveys and sediment samples collected during base flow periods. Sites on the Spring River immediately upstream of heavily mined areas supported at least 21-25 species of mussels, whereas sites near the lower terminus of the river yielded evidence of 6-8 extant species. Between the upper and lower quantitative survey sites, mean mussel and clam densities declined by 89% and 97%, respectively. Tributary reaches below heavily mined areas lacked evident bivalve communities and contained concentrations of Cd, Pb, and Zn that continually or sporadically exceeded hardness-dependent water quality criteria and consensus-based sediment quality guidelines (probable effect concentrations). In less contaminated stream reaches supporting bivalves, concentrations of Cd, Pb, and Zn in mussels and clams were correlated spatially with the levels occurring in surficial sediment (0.50 < or = tau < or = 0.64, p < or = 0.03). In non-headwater perennial stream reaches, sediment Cd, Pb, and Zn levels were related inversely to mussel taxa richness (-0.80 < or = tau < or = -0.64, p < or = 0.004). Metal contaminant burdens in mussels and clams fluctuated measurably in association with variable stream flow conditions and accompanying changes in surface water and sediment chemistry. Concentrations of Cd, Pb, and Zn in mussels approximately paralleled the levels measured in composite clam samples (0.74 < or = tau < or = 0.79, p<0.001), implying C. fluminea could serve as a possible surrogate for native mussels in future metal bioaccumulation studies. Overall, streams draining heavily mined areas exhibited depauperate (or fully extirpated) mussel assemblages and correspondingly elevated concentrations of Cd, Pb, and Zn in water, sediment, and bivalve tissue. Other evaluated environmental chemistry parameters, and physical habitat conditions assessed at the stream reach scale, demonstrated little general relationship to the degraded status of these assemblages. We conclude that pollution attributable to former mining operations continues to adversely influence environmental quality and impede the recovery of mussel communities in a large portion of the Spring River Basin.

Distribution, salinity and pH dependence of elements in surface waters of the catchment areas of the Salars of Coipasa and Uyuni, Bolivian Altiplano

The variation in concentrations of a wide variety of hydrochemical parameters in surface watercourses of the Bolivian Altiplano is statistically characterised. A variation of four to five orders of magnitude is characteristic for several parameters (Al, As, B, Cd, Cl −, Cu, Fe, Li, Mn, Na, S, and SO 4 2−), reflecting (i) evapoconcentration between mountainous watersheds and saline desert evaporative sinks, and (ii) geologically varied sources such as volcanic/thermal springs, fumarolic sulphur deposits and widespread sulphide mineralization. A tendency to increasing salinity from catchment headwaters to the salars is observed. pH values are generally rather high (median 8.3), and exhibit a similar, but weaker increasing trend. Arsenic concentrations are high (median=34 μg/l) and are probably largely derived from volcanogenic sources (fumarolic native sulphur deposits and thermal springs) on the Andean Cordillera Occidental. Arsenic exhibits positive correlations with pH and salinity, indicating its mobility as an oxy-anion under the generally high pH conditions and its susceptibility to evapoconcentration. Arsenic appears to be only weakly attenuated relative to chloride, probably by adsorption onto iron hydroxide precipitates or flocs.

The Geochemistry of Lake Joyce, McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica

Lake Joyce is one of the least studied lakes of the McMurdo Dry Valleys. Similar to other lakes in this region, Lake Joyce is a closed-basin, permanently ice-covered, meromictic lake. We present here a detailed investigation of major ions, nutrients, and dissolved trace elements for Lake Joyce. Specifically, we investigate the role of iron and manganese oxides and hydrous oxides in trace metal cycling.Lake Joyce is characterized by fresh, oxic waters overlying an anoxic brine, primarily Na–Cl. Surface waters have a maximum nitrate concentration of 26 μM with a molar dissolved inorganic nitrogen to phosphorus ratio of 477. The supply of nitrogen is attributed to atmospheric deposition, possibly from polar stratospheric clouds. Dissolved phosphorus is scavenged by hydrous iron oxides. The pH is highest (10.15) just beneath the 7-m thick ice cover and decreases to a minimum of 7.29 in the redox transition zone. Dissolved Al exceeds 8 μM in surface waters, and appears to be controlled by equilibrium with gibbsite. In contrast, concentrations of other trace elements in surface waters are quite low (e.g., 5.4 nM Cu, 0.19 nM Co, 3 O 4 ). Co tracks the Mn profile closely, suggesting Co(III) is bound in the lattice of Mn oxides, whereas the Ce profile is similar, yet the Ce anomaly suggests oxidative scavenging of Ce. Release of Cu, Ni, Cd and trivalent REE appears to be controlled by pH-induced desorption from Fe and Mn oxides, although Cu (and perhaps Ni) may be scavenged by organic matter in surface waters.

Particulate trace metal and major element distributions over consecutive tidal cycles in Port Jackson Estuary, Australia

Particulate trace metal (Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb and Zn) and major element (Fe, Mn and Al) concentrations have been determined following intensive sampling over two consecutive spring tidal cycles in the 'turbidity maximum zone' (TMZ) of the Port Jackson estuary, Australia. Salinity, temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, suspended particulate matter (SPM) and chlorophyll a were also determined. A three-factor analysis of variance was used to test temporal variability in concentrations of particulate trace metals and major elements as a result of tidal oscillation. Estuarine master variables, such as temperature and pH, varied within a narrow range; nevertheless, the tidal signal was clear for surface and bottom waters. In surface water, no variance was detected in SPM concentrations between consecutive tidal cycles or between tidal stages (i.e. flood, ebb and slack water). In bottom water, however, SPM concentrations were significantly higher (P≤0.05) at flood tide than at slack high water and ebb tide. Concentrations of particulate trace metals and major elements in surface water do not display significant variability between tidal cycles or stages. Nevertheless, differences within each tidal stage were significant (P≤0.05) for all elements. In bottom water, only particulate Fe and Al exhibited significant differences (P≤0.05) between tidal cycles, whereas particulate Ni was the only trace element that presented significant differences (P≤0.05) between tidal stages, following the distribution of SPM, with highest concentrations at flood tide. Among the metals studied, significant variation was found at all three temporal scales examined (i.e. from hours to consecutive tidal cycles), although the patterns of variation were different for each metal. The semi-diurnal fluctuation of SPM and particulate trace metal concentrations during spring tides is interpreted as a resuspension–deposition cycle caused by cyclical oscillations of bottom currents. The results are discussed in the context of the implications of tidal cycle influence on the geochemistry and cycling of particulate trace metals in the Port Jackson estuary.