Abstract
The chemical state of iron in sediments collected from Samana Bay has been determined by Mössbauer spectroscopy. The Mössbauer spectra were composed of two paramagnetic doulets, which correspond to high=spin ferric and ferrous components. Based on the Mössbauer spectra, the possible origin of the different types of sediments are discussed. The mercury contamination calculated from X-ray fluorescence results for some sediments is shown in a comparative form