Experimental study on physical-mineral composition-pollution behaviour interrelations of urban river sediments

River and lake pollution is a seriously environmental problem in China. In this study, the particle analysis, clay mineral composition, Atterberg limits, loss of ignition, total nitrogen, total phosphorus and heavy metals tests are carried out for five representative sediments with different physical and chemical properties in Jin'an District, Fuzhou. By considering the collected data from literatures, the interrelations among physical properties, clay minerals and pollutants of sediments are investigated. The results show that the pollutants in the sediments are related to the pollution source and the particle gradation and clay mineral composition of the sediments. The organic matter, total nitrogen and heavy metals in the sediments are highly correlated with fine particle content in the sediments. The smectite clay mineral is conducive to the adsorption and storage of pollutants. There is a good correlation among the organic matter, total nitrogen, total phosphorus and heavy metal content in the sediments.