A Preliminary Study on Metal and Nutrient Concentrations in Running Water Systems in Southern New Caledonia

Metal and nutrient concentrations were measured in five running water sampling sites of New Caledonia. Metal concentrations were homogeneous (Ni; 22.7–50.6 μg L⁻¹) or not (Fe; 37–749 μg L⁻¹). Concentrations of Ni, Cr, Fe were high, including high dissolved fractions (up to 47.8, 70.8 and 417 μg L⁻¹, respectively). Concentrations of anthropogenic metals (Ag, As, Cd, Cu, Pb, Sb, V, Zn) were low (maximum: total Cu, 0.6 μg L⁻¹). The contamination of waters is presumably due to soil weathering and mining activities. Metal concentrations and phosphate depletion (<0.04 μmol L⁻¹) suggest constrained conditions for the development of aquatic life.