Variability of cadmium, zinc, copper, and iron contents in water of 29 south-western Pomeranian lakes is described. The study was carried out during periods of summer stagnation as well as spring and autumn homothermy of 1999. Mean contents of copper in surface and near-bottom water were 56.7 and 63.6 mg·dm^-3, respectively; the corresponding values for lead were 58.6 and 65.6 mg·dm^-3, for cadmium 6.0 and 6.7 mg·dm^-3, for zinc 87.3 and 92.8 mg·dm^-3, and for iron 83.3 and 96.4 mg·dm^-3. The catchment properties and use determines the degree of heavy metal contamination. As evidenced by the results of statistical treatment, variability in the heavy metal contents in the lakes under study depends on their trophic status and mixing intensity. Eutrophic lakes showed higher metal contents, compared to meso- and mesoeutrophic ones. Poly- and tachymictic lakes showed higher metal contents and lower variability than in more stable eu- and bradymictic lakes.

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