EN
The total content and available forms of trace metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn) in fluvial sediments has been determined for surface samples (0-30 cm) collected in 2009 and after the flood in 2010 from the flood plain of the Odra River in western Poland. Total metal concentrations were obtained after mineralization with HNO₃, and the available forms of trace metals were obtained by single extraction procedure using soft extractant – 0.01M CaCl₂. Measurements of physico-chemical parameters also were performed: grain size fraction analysis, Eh, pH, organic matter, and calcium carbonate contents. The conducted analyses revealed that metal samples collected after the flood in 2010 varied in terms of physico-chemical parameters, total contents, and actually available forms of the studied trace metals. It has also been stated that the total contents of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn are strongly correlated with the participation of very coarse-grained (from 2000 to 1000 µm) and medium-grained (from 500 to 250 µm) sediments as well as with the content of organic matter (excluding Cd). On the other hand, the actually available Cr forms may increase along with the increase in CaCO₃ content.