Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 31, 2026

Clean Sampling and Analysis of River and Estuarine Waters for Trace Metal Studies
Published on: July 1, 2016
The chemical fractionation and potential source identification of Cu, Zn and Cd on urban watershed
Jin Zhang1, Pei Hua2, Peter Krebs1
1Institute of Urban Water Management, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany.
Abstract:
This study showcases the chemical fractionation and primary source identification of Cu, Zn and Cd in road-deposited sediment. Results show that Zn and Cd were identified as easily mobilised and biologically available metals that pose high risks to the receiving aquatic environments. However, Cu was released in substantial amounts only under relatively extreme conditions. With the assistance of principal component analysis and chemical fractionation, two primary contributors to heavy metals in road-deposited sediment were tentatively identified as vehicle-related sources (especially, auto brake pad erosion for Cu and tyre debris for Zn) and atmospheric deposition (especially for Cd).
Related Concept Videos
Precipitation and Co-precipitation
Extraction: Advanced Methods
Electrodeposition
Electrodeposition can...
Microbial Leaching
Voltammetry: Stripping Methods
Anodic Stripping Voltammetry (ASV)
ASV is used to determine metals and metalloids at trace levels. It involves two steps: deposition and stripping. First, a negative potential is applied to the...

