Contamination of the coastal sea sediments by heavy metals

The distribution of major and trace elements in the coastal sea sediments along the Eastern Adriatic coast was evaluated. The concentrations of K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, As, Br, Rb, Sr, Y, and Pb in 376 samples were measured on the grain fraction <2 mm by the use of energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence. Contour maps for concentrations of toxic elements Zn, Cu, As and Pb were produced in order to show metals accumulation areas. (c) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.