HEAVY METALS IN SEDIMENTS OF THE LOWER PARAIBA DO SUL RIVER AND ESTUARY, R. J., BRAZIL

Investigation study on heavy metal ditribution in the bottom sediment of the lower Paraiba Do Sul River (Brazil) to characterize the behavior of these elements and locate possible accumulation zones. For the grain size distribution was used a wet sieving of sediments and for total heavy metal extraction, a modification of the method used by Watts and Smith. As a result, all metals presented (excepted Cr) same distribution pattern with higher concentrations in fluvial portion decreasing towards the estuary of the river.