Heavy metals in sediments of the Kastela Bay

Six sediment samples from Kastela Bay (Adriatic sea) and 6 samples of source rocks around the bay have been taken in order to establish the dependence of heavy metal concentration on granulometric and mineral composition, on surface characteristics of the sediment, and on source rocks. The mineral composition of sediments is homogeneous. It reflects mostly the lithology of the surrounding area (carbonates and flysch). The concentration of cadmium is greater in parent rocks than in the sediments, which points to the partial lithogenous origin of cadmium. The increased concentration of cadmium found in top portions of sediments from locations 4 and 5 is probably a result of the anthropogenic activities. The anthropogenic influence on Pb, Cu and Zn concentrations was identified in the all surface sediment samples.