Use of numerical taxonomy for comparison of metal pollution in the environment

Numerical taxonomy has been applied to explain the behaviour of macroconstituents (Na, K, Ca, Mg) and heavy metals (Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Pb, Cu, Zn, Cd) in different ecological sections (mollucs, plants, rain, drv deposition, soils, airborne dust, lixiviates through soils, springs) in the industrialized area near Bilbao (Spain). Distances based on correlation coefficients and mean Euclidean distances have been used for drawing dendrograms of metals and sections. Three types of effects may be distinguished, due to potassium, other macrocomponents (Na, Ca, Mg) and heavy metals as a result of the accumulation of these constituents in specific sections of the environment.