Origin, retention and release of trace metals from sediments of the River Seine

Metallic contents (Fe, Mn, Pb, Cu, Cd, Zn, Cr) of sediments were measured in 14 sites in the River Seine (France) along 110 km; in three sites surrounding the sewage treatment plant at Acheres, vertical profiles were established from cores and dialysis cells, and interface exchanges have been studied. Metal contamination increases downstream, except for Pb for which contamination is higher immediately downstream of stormdrains (up to 130 mg kg(-1)); that confirms its urban origin. Upstream of Acheres, metallic contamination increases with depth while downstream, contribution to sediments of suspended matter from the treatment plant, loaded with organic matter, alters the behaviour of metals within the first ten centimeters. A strong link between particulate organic carbon (POC), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), polychlorobiphenyls (PCB) and metal contents has been established. The organic matter brought down by the treatment plant effluents induces a specific diagenesis downstream leading to metal release in summer as attested by a 30% metal contents decrease in sediments. Calculation of molecular diffusion fluxes shows that in september, the release phenomenon is ending.