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A five-step sequential extraction technique was used to determine the chemical association of heavy metals (Zn, cd, Pb, Cu) with major sedimentary phases (exchangeable cations, easily and moderately-reducible compounds, organic/sulfidic phases, residual components) in samples from polluted rivers in Central Europe (Middle Rhine River, Lower Rhine/Rotterdam Harbor, Weser Estuary, Neckar River).Data gained suggest that the surplus of metal contaminants introduced into the aquatic system from anthropogenic sources usually exists in relatively unstable chemical forms.The more important accumulative phases for trace metals are found in the easily-reducible fractions. Extraction with acidified hydroxylamine solution seems to yield the metal fractions which may predominantly participate in short-term geochemical and biochemical processes. Rates of mobilization were significantly higher for zinc and cadmium than for copper and lead.

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