The retention of terrigenous metals in coastal regions plays an important role in the oceanic global mass balance of these elements. In Sepetiba Bay (Rio de Janeiro), efficient Cd and Zn removal from the water column was observed due to processes influenced by sediment resuspension and deposition. These mechanisms involve adsorption onto particle surfaces, which is independent of matrix composition and the origin of the suspended particles. Cadmium can be concentrated along the bay shore where sediment and organic matter cyclings are intensive.