The mobility of Cu, Pb and Zn in harbour sediments was investigated using single, sequential and kinetic extraction techniques. Each type of extraction provides different information on the mobility of these elements in the environment. The single HCl extraction assesses general mobility, the sequential extraction assesses geochemical partitioning and kinetic extraction allows quickly and slowly mobilized elements to be identified. Kinetic extraction also allows the influence of extraction duration to be assessed. The results presented in this paper highlight the complementary information provided by different types of mobility study.

(H. Hamdoun). Ab s t r a c tFor a full assessment of the environmental risk posed by dredged sediments not only the anthropogenic enrichment of contaminants, but also their mobility and biological impact should be considered. This study reports on the enrichment factor (EF), mobility, and Adverse Effect Index (AEI) of metals and metalloids in nine dredged sediments. Significant enrichment of As, Cd, Pb and Zn with respect to background values is detected, and calculated AEI values for these elements suggest that it is possible that a corresponding biological effect may be observed. Correlation coefficients also reveal a link between mobility in HCl and enrichment for Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb and Zn, however As and Cu do not display such a link, possibly suggesting that the source of contamination for these elements is less recent. Mobility and enrichment are two parameters which are often studied separately; however this paper shows that in some cases strong correlations occur.