Grain size effects, accumulation factors, chemical forms and remobilization processes of particle associated metals were studied on samples taken from estuary and coastal marine regions of the Northern Germany during the cruise of the R/V "Valdivia" in October, 1981. In addition the Institute of Marine Research in Bremerhaven obtained other data on the Weser Estuary. Standardization of metal concentrations to the contents of aluminum (AAS) or scandium (INAA) is particularly useful for the reductions of grain size effects in monitoring studies. The strongest anthropogenic enrichment of metals is found for cadmium, lead and zinc in the sediments of the Weser and Elbe Rivers near Bremen and Hamburg, respectively; accumulation of lead and cadmium in the outer part of the German Bight is probably caused by the dumping of waste material. Characteristic remobilization of cadmium was found with the initial increase of salinity in the Weser Estuary. Chemical extraction studies indicate that crystallized (moderately reducible) amorphous iron oxide. The latter seems to affect the sorption properties for other metals, such as manganese and zinc.