The fractionation profiles of Cu and Ni were quite similar to Cr.The major portionwas found in the residual fraction for Cu (48.6%e 95.9%; mean of 75.3%) and Ni (46.3%e93.2%; mean of 79.1%) indicating these metals were strongly bound to sediment particles, as suggested in the scientific literature (Pickering, 1986; Martin et al., 1998; Mester et al., 1998). The lowest percentages of Cu and Ni were found in the acid soluble fraction in both sampling periods at all stations (