STUDY ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF HEAVY METALS IN SEDIMENT UNDER THE CAU RIVER BASIN

Abstract

    Zn and Cu are the elements necessary for the body at low concentrations, but at highconcentrations they causes cardiovascular problems, digestive, kidney ... and can result in death;Cd and Pb metals are highly toxic to humans and animals, they are the germ can cause cancer,bone disease ... however their toxicity depends on the specific form of existence their possible. Afive-step sequential extraction procedure was applied for the determination of the distributionfour elements Zn, Cd, Pb and Cu in sediment samples collected at Cau river- Thai Nguyen City.The accuracy evaluated by comparing total trace metal concentrations with the sum of the fiveindividua fractions as well as standard material reference (MESS-3) proved to be satisfactory.Based on the results determined at Cau river, overall the total metal content as well asspeciations content in upper layers higher than the bottom layer. The metal is mainlydistributed in the form of durable links, exchang able fractions and forms to associated withcarbonates occupies the smallest amount in extraction forms five. Distribution forms don'tmajor differences between the various positions.

Keywords: Speciation Studies, Extraction, Heavy metals, Sediment, Cau River.