HEAVY-METAL INPUTS TO MISSISSIPPI DELTA SEDIMENTS - A HISTORICAL VIEW

Heavy metal concentrations were determined in suspended particulates, filtered water and sediment collected in the Mississippi River and from its marine delta. More than 90% of the metal load of the river is associated with particulate matter, which is relatively constant in chemical composition with time and place. The results of the study described show that dissolved trace metal concentrations are low and most likely non-problematic, a function of the high suspended load and pH of the river.