their distribution and accumulation are influenced
by sediment texture, mineralogical composition, reduction/oxidation
state, and adsorption/desorption processes (cycles) as well as physical
transport. Moreover, metals can be adsorbed from the water column
onto the surfaces of fine particles and transported thereafter to
sediments. As metals participate in various biogeochemical mechanisms
with significant mobility, they can affect ecosystems through bioaccumulation
and biomagnification processes