The distribution of mercury, cadmium and lead between water and suspended matter in the Loire Estuary as a function of the hydrological regime

We examined Hg, Pb, Cd in filtered water and suspended sediments from the Loire Estuary. The metal concentration in both varies widely and is a function of hydrodynamic and hydraulic parameters. We classified them according to geographical repartition, salinity, tidal state etc. A laboratory study, monitored under the same conditions of salinity, showed the affinity of suspended material for Hg, Pb and Cd. The results of the two studies, in vivo and in vitro emphasize the importance of salinity in the metal repartition between water and sediments.