Spatial distribution of sediment particles and trace element pollution within Gunnamatta Bay, Port Hacking, NSW, Australia

A combination of geochemical analysis and hydrodynamic measuring has been established in order to provide an explanation for the spatial distribution of both sediment particles and trace element pollution Gunnamatta Bay, NSW, Australia. Fifty nine samples of surface sediment were collected to determine the spatial concentrations of trace elements in the bay. Moreover, current track pathways and velocities have been measured in the bay. The distribution of trace elements such as chromium, nickel, copper, zinc, arsenic and lead had similar patterns in surface sediments. Trace element pollution is concentrated along the current trajectory in the inner part of the bay, which has deeper sites and higher percentages of mud particles. The highest concentrations of these metals were found to be in sample GU55 from the northeast of the bay, which is close to a surface discharge point and moored boats.