Measurement and distribution of various heavy metals in the Danube River and Danube Canal aquatic communities in the vicinity of Vienna, Austria.

Samples of mud, water, algae and fish were collected from the Danube River and Danube Canal and analysed by neutron activation techniques for various trace metals. The study was conducted over a ten-months time period. Results show no significant variation in levels of Cr, Co, Sb, Zn, Fe and Sc during the period of study. Comparison of the results obtained for the river with those obtained for the canal indicate that, with the exception of one sampling site, there are no statistically significant differences. Generally the values lie in the range accepted as normal for most fresh water systems. One site in the canal was found to have high Cr content in the mud samples at a point where the Vienna River joins the canal.