A Study of the Dissolved and Particulate Trace Elements in the Bristol Channel

Abstract

A study of the dissolved inorganic salts of nitrogen, silicon, phosphorus and carbon and their particulate forms in the Bristol Channel (Abdullah, Dunlop & Gardner, 1973) has shown that the primary sources of these elements are run-off and waste disposal. Furthermore, the slow flushing rate of the Channel plays an important role in the accumulation of these materials in the eastern part. An important constituent of run-off is the heavy metal load especially in industrial waste. Some preliminary investigations (Abdullah, Royle & Morris, 1972; Butterworth, Lester & Nickless, 1972; Nickless, Atenner & Terille, 1972; Preston, 1973) have shown that certain trace metals such as Cu, Pb, Cd, and Zn are added to the Channel in sufficiently large quantities to produce high concentrations not only in the waters of the Severn Estuary and Swansea Bay, but also in the local fauna.