Trace metals in sediments from the Ligurian Coast, Italy

The content of trace metals (Fe, Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Cr) in the Ligurian Coastal Area were acid leached and analysed by the atomic absorption method. In the stations in front of Genoa, with the maximum organic carbon content, Cr, Cu and Pb show a significant correlation between the leachable fraction with cold reagents and the organic carbon content of the sediment. Significant linear correlations of metals to total Fe were obtained for unpolluted sediments.