The major objectives and sub-objectives for the study are to determine concentrations and distributions of specific trace elements (i.e., toxic heavy metals and phosphorus contaminants) associated with organic-rich mud within the Albemarle Sound estuarine system. The report presents the results from the last portion of a research project to consider the main estuarine systems of North Carolina (i.e., Pamlico River, Neuse River, and Albemarle Sound estuarines, respectively). The study presents the baseline information that is essential for generating a management plan concerning toxic metal contamination within the estuarine system and lays the groundwork necessary to address the inter-relationships between sediment/water column and sediment/organism interactions and resultant chronic effects of heavy metal contaminants upon the North Carolina estuarine system.