Geochemistry of muds from a shallow restricted estuary,Australia

Sediments from a shallow, restricted estuary in southeast Australia were analysed for Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Ni, Zn, P₂O₅ and organic carbon. Subjective interpretation of factor analysis on a geochemical basis, indicates that the dominant controls on the distribution and concentration of these metals and P₂O₅ in the mud sediments are the mineralogy of land-derived detritus and the chemical conditions of the environment in which the sediments are deposited. None of the transition-metal contents of the sediments, apart from Cr and possibly Cu, can be directly attributed to enrichment over that due to areal variation in detrital mineralogy. Chromium may be precipitated from the water column as a hydroxide in reducing environments, and Cu may be supplied to some extent by organic matter. Phosphate is enriched in the sediment through its association with organic matter. Manganese concentrations are depleted from the surface sediments of reducing environments. Iron sulphide and associated Ni and Zn sulphides are probably formed largely through early diagenetic reactions involving the mobilization of these metals from detrital mineral phases into authigenic phases. Evidence for the presence of these authigenic phases is found in sediments from areas where reducing conditions are likely to be most prevalent.     

Estuarine behaviour of metal loads leached from coastal lowland acid sulphate soils

The estuarine behaviour of the metal load leaching from acid sulphate (AS) soils was studied in a selected river system (the V?r? River), in western Finland. Large amounts of metals were transported with the river and deposited within the estuary, causing highly elevated metal concentrations in both the sediment traps and in the underlying bottom sediments. Among the metals, there was a diverging deposition pattern where Al, Cu, La and U demonstrated a strong association with organic matter and were deposited within approximately 4 km from the river mouth. In contrast, the deposition of Co, Mn, Ni and Zn occurred when pH reached circumneutral conditions further out in the estuary. Yet other metals were not abundantly leached from the AS soils and thus not elevated in the river and estuary (Fe, Ti, Cr, V). Five separate chemical extractions indicated the geochemical speciation of the metals.     

东海陆架晚第四纪沉积物化学成分及物源示踪

东海陆架EA1孔和EA5孔沉积物化学成分变化范围较大。与东海陆架表层沉积物相比，钻孔沉积物的Si,Al,Mg,Mn,Ti,P,Ba,Zr,Co,Ni,Cu,Zn,Cr明显偏高，而Fe,Na,Ca,Sr,Li,U明显偏低，与全球大陆地壳化学组成相比，钻孔沉积物的Si,Li,Rb,Ba,Th,Zr,Hf,Cu,Zn,Pb偏高，而Al,Na,Ca,Mg,Fe,Mn,Ti,P,Sr,U,Co,Ni,V,Cr偏低，钻孔沉积物的化学成分在垂向上具有明显变化，主要受岩性和沉积环境的控制，钻孔沉积物中元素的富集因子（EF）均小于10，接近于1，表明钻孔沉积物主要来自大陆地壳，一些元素因分异或外来物质加入而富集，一些元素则因分异带出而亏损，钻孔沉积物源区的DF值判别表明，钻孔沉积物与现代黄河，长江沉积物均有亲缘关系，可能是在末次冰期最盛期，由于气候带南移，干旱区域扩大，在古长江搬运沉积物中类似现今黄河沉积物的干旱组分明显增加，从而导致了地球化学示踪结果的长江与黄河双重性，或者说古气候的变化导致了古长江搬运物质成分的变化。     

Geochemical investigation of selected elements in coastal and riverine sediments from Ube, Kasado, and Suo-Oshima Bays in the western Seto Inland Sea, Southwest Japan

This paper presents the geochemical study of sediments along Ube, Suo-Oshima, and Kasado Bays in the Seto Inland Sea of Japan. We examined the distribution and abundances of 13 elements (As, Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni, Cr, Sr, Ca, Fe, Ti, P, Mn, and total S) in 40 coastal and river sediment samples, to evaluate the factors controlling their abundances, possible sources, and environmental implications. Average concentrations of As, Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni, and Cr at Ube were 12, 26, 86, 16, 43, and 92?mg/kg, 6, 25, 31, 8, 9, and 29?mg/kg at Kasado, and 5, 20, 28, 3, 5, and 18?mg/kg at Suo-Oshima, respectively. Average As, Pb, Zn, and Cr concentrations at Ube were comparable or enriched relative to those of the upper continental crust and Japan upper crust, whereas most major elements, Cu, and Ni were depleted at Kasado and Suo-Oshima. Enrichment factor values show low to moderate enrichment of Zn, Ni, and Cr, whereas As and Pb show significant contamination at some sites, suggesting contributions from anthropogenic sources. Anthropogenic contributions of most metals mainly originate from natural processes; however, As and Pb ranges of 73–79 and 66–81?%, respectively, confirm their anthropogenic contribution. Factor analysis and correlation matrices suggest that elevated metal concentrations at Ube, especially in samples located in the river basin, may be controlled by Fe–Mn oxy-hydroxides. Deposition of metals at Kasado and Suo-Oshima might be controlled by non-ferrous metal (i.e., aluminosilicates), sediment grain size, or source rock composition (granite and gneiss).     

Structure and chemistry of sediments in Belfast Lough,a semi-enclosed marine bay

In a study of the benthic environment of Belfast Lough the structure of the subtidal sediment was examined along with its content of organic matter and selected metals (Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb). A wide range of sediment types occurred within the lough but the mean grain sizes for individual sites lay predominantly within the size classes of fine sand, very fine sand and silt. The content of organic matter and metals in the sediments showed strong positive correlations with each other and with the content of silt/clay. Both organic matter and metals decreased in concentration in a seawards direction. The content of organic matter lay generally within the range of 1–5% which is normally associated with shelf sediments, but constituted up to 12% of the sediment in the docks area. Likewise, metals were usually within the range reported within other nearshore coastal waters of the U.K., but sediments in the docks area and inner lough were enriched with several metals. Cluster analysis identified four major subdivisions in the lough which were distinctly different in their contents of silt/clay, organic matter and metals.     

Vertical distribution of the macrobenthic community and its relationships to trace metals and natural sediment characteristics in the lower Douro estuary, Portugal

Vertical distribution (0–15 cm) of the macrobenthic community and its relationships to natural sediment characteristics and trace metal contents and bioavailability were studied at five locations in the lower Douro estuary, Portugal. An analysis of vertical metal distribution, for the interpretation of anthropogenic impact on the estuarine sediments, was also investigated. Sediment characterisation included organic matter, grain size, metals (Al, Fe, Cu, Pb, Cr, Ni, Cd, Zn and Mn), acid volatile sulphide (AVS) and simultaneously extracted metals (SEM). The macrobenthic community had low diversity (14 species), was dominated by small size opportunists and seemed to be controlled mainly by natural factors such as grain size distribution, Al and Fe contents and sediment depth. The vertically heterogeneous distribution of macrobenthic community appears to affect redox status of the sediments and consequently metal bioavailability. Despite anthropogenic contamination in terms of Zn, Cu, Pb, Cr and Ni having already been detected in the north bank, the analysis of vertical distribution was essential for the identification of current anthropogenic contamination in terms of Zn, Pb and Cd in the south bank.     

Geochemistry of eastern Mediterranean sediments: Primary sediment composition and diagenetic alterations

Two cores recovered in the eastern Mediterranean were analysed for major, minor and trace elements. The primary chemical composition of the sediment is different at each location, probably because the lithological sources and the relative biogenic contributions differ.

Carbonates are important for the concentration of Ca, Mg and Sr, whereas aluminosilicates determine the concentration of Si, Al, K, Li, Y and Be, and to a lesser extent that of Fe, Cr, Ti, Mg, Zn and Zr. In sapropels, organic carbon and sulphur seem to be closely related. Bromine, Mo, P, Fe, V, Cu, Zn, Co, Ni and Cr are closely associated with organic and sulphidic compounds. The concentration versus depth profile for organic carbon in two sapropels points to a rapid establishment of conditions that gave rise to sapropel formation, followed by a gradual transition back to “normal” conditions.

The primary composition is overprinted by diagenetic processes. Sulphate-reducing conditions occurred during and just after sapropel deposition. A progressive oxidation front mechanism, which became active after sapropel deposition, is responsible for additional major geochemical changes. This diagenetic phenomenon has strong implications for the chemistry of Fe, Mn, Ni, Co, Zn, Cu, Cr, V, U, As and Sb.     

Heavy metals in sinking particles and bottom sediments from the eastern Turkish coast of the Black Sea

Concentrations of Cd, Cu, Cr, Co, Ni, Zn, Fe, Mn, Pb, As, and Sb were determined in sediment trap and bottom sediment samples collected seasonally from a station on the eastern Turkish coast of the Black Sea. Cd, Pb and Mn concentrations were highest in the sediment trap samples except during the summer period, whereas Co, Ni, Zn and Fe levels were much lower than corresponding levels found in the surface sediments. Cu, Cr, As and Sb levels showed no definite trend with sediment type. In general, with the exception of Cr, relatively lower metal concentrations in the sediment trap material were determined in the summer period. The highest mass flux, 56.5 g m⁻² day⁻¹, was measured during autumn. The highest flux of heavy metals also occurred during autumn and was strongly dependent on particle mass flux. Based on these results, we suggest that the downward vertical transport of particulate heavy metals in this region is related to the high degree of land erosion and the resultant particulate flux dynamics, which occur here. It was noteworthy that the highest concentrations of Cd, Cu, Co, Zn, Fe and Sb in particles were measured during winter a finding which suggests that enhanced fossil fuel combustion, which occurs during this period in adjacent urban and industrial areas plays an important role in the metal composition of sinking particles in nearshore waters.     

Arsenic and heavy metals in the bottom sediments of the Balaklava Bay (Black Sea)

We present the results of investigation of the contents of metals (As, Cr, Co, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, V, Sr, Mn, Ti, and Fe) in the bottom sediments of the Balaklava Bay (Black Sea) carried out in July 2005. It is shown that the pollution of the bottom sediments with metals has a polyelemental character. We establish the specific features of changes in the contents of the analyzed elements and localize the sources of their appearance in the ecosystem. On the basis of the results of evaluation of the intensity of technogenic action upon the marine medium, we determine a group of toxic elements (As, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn) accumulated in the bottom sediments of the bay in amounts significantly exceeding the background values typical of sediments of the Black Sea shelf. The comparative analysis of the degrees of pollution of the bay and some other coastal water areas with metals is performed.     

上海滨岸潮滩根际重金属含量季节变化及形态分布

用Zeeman－5000型原子吸收分光光度计火焰法测定了上海滨岸潮滩沉积物中Cu、Pb、Fe、Mn、Zn、Cr的总量及其5种地球化学形态含量，发现根际沉积物中的重金属含量一般低于表层沉积物，但在重金属含量水平上，均为Fe＞＞Mn＞Zn＞Cu，Pb，Cr；单因子方差分析表明重金属在根限沉积物中存在显著的季节变化（p＜0.05＝，Cu、Pb、Fe、Mn、Zn、Cr在高潮滩芦苇根限沉积物中的含量均在夏、秋季出现最低值或次低值，在中潮滩海三棱Biao草根际沉积物中的季节含量随采样地点不同而变化，但与同一地点表层沉积物中的含量相关性很好，除Cr（r＝0．18）外，相关系数（r）分别达到0．77、0．74、0．65、0．84、0．77；Cu、Fe、Zn、Cr在沉积物中均以残渣态含量为主，Pb、Mn的碳酸盐结合态含量较高，秋季各重金属元素的碳酸盐结合态与铁锰氧化物结合态之间发生形态上的迁移与转化。     

Accumulation of sediment,organic matter and trace metals with space and time,in a creek along Mumbai coast,India

Two core sediment samples; one from inner part (ManI) and the other closer to the mouth (ManII); were collected from the intertidal regions of Manori, a tidally influenced creek near Mumbai, India. Both the cores were subjected to various geochemical analyses to determine parameters such as pH, sediment components, total organic carbon, total nitrogen, total phosphorus and selected metals viz., Fe, Mn, Cu, Pb, Co, Ni, Zn, Cr, Al, Ca and V. Analysis of ²¹⁰Pb activity was employed to assess the sediment deposition trend of the area. The data was further processed using factor and cluster analyses. The results indicate that the sediments from site ManI, had finer sediment composition, higher porosity, organic matter and metal contents but exhibited an erratic decline in ²¹⁰Pb activity downcore. Also ManI showed higher C:N ratio and enrichment factor values as compared to site ManII. The inner area (ManI) probably received a greater input of organic matter from the erosion of terrestrial matter as well as domestic and industrial discharge. Sediments from site ManII had typical marine organic matter composition (lower C:N ratio). The concentration of metals at this site was also low indicating the contents were getting diluted by freshwater and seawater mixing.     

Anthropogenic trace metals in sediment and settling particulate matter on a high-energy continental shelf (Sydney,Australia)

The anthropogenic contribution of trace metals to settling particulate matter (SPM) and surficial sediments was determined on the high-energy continental shelf adjacent to Sydney, Australia. Settling particulate matter and surficial sediment was collected in the vicinity of a major sewage outfall and at five control sites on the middle shelf (80-100 m water depth). Sediment traps were deployed on 10 occasions for up to 2 weeks during the summer and winter of 1995 and SPM was analyzed for Ag, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn. Cobalt, Fe, Mn and Ni act conservatively in SPM and in sediments regionally and are used as normalizing elements to determine anthropogenic enrichment. Surficial sediments and SPM are enriched in Ag, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn near a major ocean outfall and at four of the five control sites, although sewage particles contribute < 5% of trace metals in the total sample. Silver is the most sensitive trace metal tracer for establishing the presence of sewage particulate matter. Sewage particulate matter flux near the outfall was estimated using a two end-member mixing model and is below 0.5 g m(-2) day(-1) during all deployment periods. The mean sewage particulate matter flux at sampling locations 30 km and 60 km north of the outfall are <0.13 g m(-2) day(-1) and <0.01 g m(-2) day(-1), respectively, indicating an efficient dispersal of anthropogenic material on this high energy continental shelf.     

Input of particulate heavy metals from rivers and associated sedimentary deposits on the Gulf of Lion continental shelf

Fluxes of the heavy metals chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn) delivered by rivers to the Gulf of Lion (NW Mediterranean Sea) were estimated over a three year study of the River Rhone and its smaller tributaries. Most of the particulate metal fluxes (80–90%) delivered by these rivers occurred within a very short period of time (less than 12%), a typical trend for the Mediterranean environment, where highly contrasting hydrological regimes were observed over the year. Temporal and spatial variations in the fluxes of these particulate metals were driven by the fluxes in both water discharge and suspended particulate matter load. On the shelf, these particulate metal fluxes, largely arising from the Rhone watershed, were two to ten times more important than those resulting from atmospheric deposition. Co, Cr and Ni in the rivers and on the shelf surface sediments were mainly natural and associated with the finest particles. Cd and Phosphorus appeared to be associated with the silt fraction and to be enriched in the prodelta areas. Pb, Zn and Cu were more closely associated with the organic matter content and also showed enrichment in the organic rich prodeltaic sediments. Anthropogenic influences diminished offshore, except for Pb and Zn which could be supplied from the atmosphere by man-made aerosols. Although most of the metals tended to be enriched in the prodelta areas, these did not constitute a permanent sink due to resuspension processes affecting these shallow depths. A resuspension experiment conducted on sediment cores from the Rhone prodelta demonstrated that metal deposited on the surface layer, especially those associated with the organic matter, may be resuspended; this should be taken into account for a complete understanding of the biogeochemical cycle of these metals.     

Distribution and Enrichment of Heavy Metals in Recent Sediments of Safaga Bay,Egypt

The present study was undertaken for assessing the level of heavy metals such as iron, manganese, zinc, copper, nickel, cadmium, lead, and cobalt in recent sediment samples of Safaga Bay, Egypt. Concentration of heavy metals in sediments shows significant variability and ranges from 863.37 to 1144.93 ppm for Fe, 64.29–586.8 ppm for Mn, 2.7–12.68 ppm for Zn, 3.01–7.2 ppm for Pb, 1.53–3.29 ppm for Ni, 0.55–1.57 ppm for Co, 0.16–1.37 ppm for Cu, and 0.22–0.4 ppm for Cd.

Sediment pollution assessments were carried out using an enrichment factor and geoaccumulation index. The calculation of enrichment factor showed that Cd is enriched by 4.1 due to phosphate sources in Safaga Bay. The Geoaccumulation index results revealed that there are positive and negative correlations between Fe, Zn, Mn, Pb, Ni, Cu, Co, and Cd indicating that these metals have complicated geochemical behaviors.     

Some peculiarities of the trace-metal distribution in Baltic waters and sediments

Between 1980 and 1984 extensive studies were carried out in the Baltic Sea on trace metals (Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) in water, suspended matter and sediments. The results enabled the influence of different factors on metal distribution patterns to be considered. The vertical profiles of dissolved and particulate metals in waters of the central deep basins reflect influences caused by oxygen deficiency and anoxic conditions in near-bottom water layers. Peculiarities at Station BY15 in the Gotland Deep included high dissolved Fe, Mn and Co concentrations and remarkable enrichment of Zn (0.64%), Cd (51 μg g⁻¹) and Cu (0.15%) in particulate matter from the anoxic zone. Manganese-rich particles were accumulated above this layer.In fine-grained soft sediments below anoxic deep waters, maximum contents of Cd, Cu and Zn were observed, relative to other coring sites, between Bothnian Bay and Lübeck Bight. The Hg content in sediments probably reflects the joint flocculation with organic matter. Land-based sources seem to play the leading part for maximum lead contents.     

Geochemical variation in ferromanganese nodules and associated sediments from the Pacific Ocean

The major and minor element compositions of a suite of abyssal sea-floor ferromanganese nodules and associated sediments from the eastern central Pacific have been used to examine inter-element relationships and the mineralogy of the nodules, the relationship between the composition of nodules and their associated sediments and regional variations in composition with respect to likely modes of formation of such deposits. Apart from Mn and Fe, significant proportions of the total Ti, Ca, Mg, K, Ba, Sr, Th and Y and almost all the P, As, Ce, Co, Cu, Mo, Ni, Pb, Zn and Zr are present in the oxide fractions of the nodules. The Mg, Ba, Cu, Mo, Ni and Zn contents are significantly correlated with the Mn content, while Ti, P, As, Pb, Sr, Y and Zr are similarly correlated with the total Fe content.Nodules from the northeastern tropical Pacific have Mn/Fe ratios higher than those in the oxide fractions of their associated sediments, todorokite as the principal Mn phase and relatively high concentrations of minor elements associated with Mn. Nodules from the south central Pacific have Mn/Fe ratios similar to those in the oxide fractions of the associated sediments, δ-MnO₂ as the only Mn-phase, and relatively high concentrations of minor elements associated with Fe. There appears to be a smooth gradation in composition in the tropical Pacific between these two end members.The regional compositional variation is interpreted as a reflection of different sources of metals for, and different growth mechanisms of, sea-floor nodules. The oxide precipitate from sea water consists of δ-MnO₂, has a relatively low Mn/Fe ratio and minor element contents related to the total Fe and Mn(δ-MnO₂) content. The oxide precipitate forming in areas of very low sedimentation as a result of diagenetic remobilisation in the surface sediment consists of todorokite, and has a high Mn/Fe ratio and enhanced metal content in the Mn-(todorokite)phase. Available information on the morphology and compositional variation of individual nodules from the tropical Pacific corroborates these contrasting metal sources and suggests that they can be resolved on the scale of an individual oxide concretion.     

Spatial and seasonal variations of the macrobenthic community and metal contamination in the Douro estuary (Portugal)

The macrobenthic community structure and characteristics of sediments were studied in samples collected seasonally at five stations in the lower mesotidal Douro estuary, Portugal. Sediment characterisation included grain size distribution, total-recoverable metals (Al, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Cr, Pb, Ni and Cd), acid-volatile sulphides (AVS) and simultaneously extracted metals (SEM) and total organic matter contents. Spatial variation surpassed temporal variation both in terms of environmental parameters and community structure. Clear anthropogenic contamination in terms of Zn, Cr, Cu and Pb, and a positive SEM-AVS, indicating the potential bioavailability of these metals, were detected on the north bank of the estuary. Multivariate analysis revealed that in addition to natural sediment characteristics, the anthropogenic metal contamination was influencing the macrobenthic community structure. In fact, greater concentrations of Zn, Cr, Cu and Pb were associated with lower number of species and/or diversity. Finally, the dry weight-normalised metal concentrations appeared as a more useful tool than the SEM-AVS model in predicting disturbance of the macrobenthic community in the studied area.     

GEOCHEMISTRY OF ABYSSAL SEDIMENT IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN

The contents of Fe, Mn, Cu, Co, Ni, Pb and Zn in the seaiment associated with manganese nodules from the Northern Central Pacific Ocean and in their acid-soluble fractions were determined and correlations among the elements and between the trace metals and environmental parameters were discussed. It has been found that the contents of Mn, Cu and Ni in the sediment are one order of magnitude higher than those in the common sediment. As shown in the manganese nodules, they may mainly derive from seabed. The contents of all trace metals in the sediment are obviously governed by Fe-and Mn-oxides, organic matter, seawater depth, particle size and Eh. Multi-element correlation equations were developed for all trace metals. The trace metals in acid-soluble fraction of the sediment were also much higher than ihose of common sediment and negatively correlated with water depth, implying the possible influence of carbonate speciation.     

Trace elements in ferromanganese nodules from the central indian ocean basin

Thirty-three bulk ferromanganese nodules from the sediment–water interface of siliceous sediment domain from the Central Indian Ocean Basin were analyzed for 50 elements including 6 new (Be, As, Se, Sn, Sb, and Bi) using inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometer. The Mn/Fe ratio and triangular plot (Fe-Mn-{Cu+Ni+Co?×?10}) suggest that ferromanganese nodules are of hydrogenetic, early diagenetic, and diagenetic origin. In the ferromanganese nodules, Mo, Sb, Bi, and As are highly enriched ～320, 160, 90, and 50 times compared with upper continental crust, respectively. A majority of the elements such as Be, Sc, Ti, V, Co, As, Se, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Sn, rare earth elements (REEs), Pb, Bi, P, Th, U, Hf, and Ta are associated with Fe, whereas, Cu, Ni, Zn, Mo, Li, Ga, Sb, Mg, and Cs are associated with Mn in the ferromanganese nodules. Redox proxies such as U/Th (0.14) and Mo/Mn (0.0019) ratio in the ferromanganese nodules suggest their formation under oxic conditions.     

冲绳海槽北端表层沉积物过渡元素地球化学特征

利用原子吸收和等离子发射光谱等方法,对冲绳海槽北端184个表层沉积物中的Al和过渡元素(Ti、Cr、Mn、Fe、Co、Ni、Cu、Zn和Zr)进行了化学分析。结果表明,由于受生源碎屑稀释作用的影响,过渡元素在陆架砂质区含量较低,其分布呈北西-南东向舌状延伸;由于细粒组分的增加,在陆架细粒沉积区和海槽区过渡元素含量较高。Mn主要在海槽区富集,在陆架和陆坡区变化不大。除了Mn之外,Al和其他过渡元素均呈明显正相关。Al/Ti比值与陆壳平均值接近,说明二者主要来源于陆源碎屑。Mn/Fe比值与邻近海区沉积物类似,但在陆架区CaO含量大于20%的沉积物和海槽区沉积物中相对较高,这分别是生物富集作用和自生沉积的结果。过渡元素富集因子分析结果表明,研究区过渡元素部分来自于黄河、部分来自于长江物质。