Characterization of suspended particulate matter of the Elbe estuary

Investigations about Cu-adsorption of suspended particulate matter (SPM) of the river Elbe estuary were made. Element composition and element contribution of native SPM and their preferential copper binding sites were examined using energy dispersive X-ray analysis. Because of a very low Cu-concentration in native SPM, artificial incubations of the flocs in Cu-salt solutions were made. Afterwards large Cu-peaks were detected, mostly in combination with particles dominated by Si/Al, Mn/ Fe or Si/Mn.