ABSTRACT
Heavy metals in wetlands have both natural and anthropogenic sources. Man-made sources include atmospheric deposition, runoff from adjacent uplands, and wastewater discharge from municipalities and industries. Once within a wetland, the ability of a heavy metal to be transported depends on its chemical properties, which inˆuence availability and toxicity. The species of metal (or metal speciation) also determines behavior in wetland environments. Valence, sorption to sediments, complexation with organic matter, precipitation, and interaction with microorganisms are processes governing the availability or toxicity of heavy metals in wetlands.
