Geochemical signature of bottom sediments in the mixing zones of Ob and Yenisei waters with Kara Sea water

This paper reports the results of a study of the geochemistry of bottom sediments from the zones of mixing between the freshwater of the Ob and Yenisei rivers and the saline water of the Kara Sea by means of neutron activation analysis. Using separate datasets for the sediments of the Ob and Yenisei estuaries accumulated under identical facies conditions, some characteristic features of the distribution of a number of chemical elements (mostly lithophile group elements) were established. The differences between them were attributed to distinctive regional geological and geochemical features of the catchments of the Ob and Yenisei, which are inherited by the geochemical characteristics of terrigenous material transported to the sea. The choice of the most informative indicator elements and their grouping on the basis of the character of behavior demonstrated that bottom sediments of the Ob or Yenisei origin can be identified in the marine region studied using the geochemical characteristics of a small group of samples.     

Sources,geochemical speciation,and risk assessment of metals in coastal sediments: a case study in the Bohai Sea,China

To investigate the sources and toxicity of metals in Bohai Sea sediments, concentration and geochemical speciation of metals of surface sediments were measured. Metal distributions and principal component analysis suggested that Zn, Pb, Cd, and Ag were largely derived from anthropogenic sources, whereas the majority of the other metals studied here were found to have been derived from natural rock weathering and calcareous marine biota. The major sources of anthropogenic metal inputs to the study region are from the mining industry, port transport services, vehicle exhausts, and agricultural runoff. Empirical sediment quality guidelines and the risk assessment code were used to evaluate the metal toxicities in this area. Our results show that Cd presents a high risk to the ecological system because it was found in the non-residual phase, which tends to be weakly bound and highly bioavailable; Cu, Pb, Ni, and Co pose a low risk; Zn and Cr present no risk. The use of the threshold effects level and effects range-low values of Cd and Cr as guidelines for the Bohai Sea are of limited use as they do not account for the bioavailability and toxicity of the elements in marine environments. Assessment of the annual metal fluxes from riverine and atmospheric sources indicates that the largest contributions of metals to the Bohai Sea were derived from the suspended particulate load of rivers. Furthermore, it was found that the main depositional zones for metals in the Bohai Sea were in estuaries and the center mud zones.     

全球地球化学填图——历史发展与今后工作之建议

区域性与国家性的地球化学填图已取得进展,如何在可期待的未来以极低密度采样获得周期表内大多数元素在全球的分布,有赖于对填图理念的更新及采样介质、采样部署与采样方法研究的进展。英国Webb等发现在数平方千米至数十平方千米汇水盆地之河口采集水系沉积物样品,其分析结果可大致逼近其上游汇水盆地内土壤中元素之平均值。挪威及中国的研究工作表明在更大河流(其汇水盆地达数百、数千以至数万平方千米)的河口采样,这一规律依旧适用。看来,这种分形规律还可进一步延展至世界上一些汇水盆地达数十万至百万以上平方千米的主要入海河口,但这方面尚需作更多的研究。在这种新的填图理念指导下,提出了为实现全球地球化学填图的短期研究与试点计划和长期全面实现之规划。     

Secondary dispersion of trace elements in bottom sediments of the High Dam Lake,South Egypt and North Sudan

Thirty-four chemical elements, pH, total nitrogen, and total organic carbon were determined in 49 bottom sediment samples from the whole High Dam Lake in order to improve our understanding of geochemical characteristics of these sediments and geochemical patterns of trace elements and related feeding sources. The present study revealed that the lake were clearly discriminated into three portions in accordance with the sediment geochemistry and geographic position. Likewise, the analyzed elements in the entire lake sediments were classified into six geochemical association patterns that are indicative of the contributing geogenic and anthropogenic sources. As has been noted here, mineralogy, anthropogenic inputs, pH, and organic matter had significant roles in controlling the behavior, concentration, dispersion, and geochemical patterns of the trace elements in the lake sediments. Consequently, the elevated concentration of Bi, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ga, Mn, Mo, Ni, Sc, V, Y, and Zn posed moderate contamination level in the sediments. At the same time, the enhancement of Ag, Se, and Te levels caused contamination up to very high levels. Admittedly, the contamination levels were generated by natural and human activities that are coming from the Nile basin countries. Despite progressive deterioration of these sediments, they still have economic applications.     

Statistical evaluation of stream sediment geochemistry in interpreting the river catchment of high-grade metamorphic terrains

Stream sediment geochemistry is extensively used in mineral exploration and environmental studies. However, quantitative assessments of the effectiveness of stream sediment geochemistry for describing upstream lithologies are rare, especially in high-grade metamorphic terrains. This study statistically evaluates whether stream sediment geochemistry can aid in recognizing variations in upstream geology in several high-grade metamorphic lithotectonic units having different metamorphic and tectonic histories, including the Highland Complex, Vijayan Complex, Wanni Complex, and Kadugannawa Complex of Sri Lanka. For this study, concentrations of 21 elements were measured in 2080 stream sediment samples collected from the Walawe River, Maha Oya, Gala Oya basins located on above lithotectonic units and Uma Oya, Belihul Oya, Badulu Oya basins situated adjacent to each other on the Highland Complex. These rivers flow across dry, intermediate and wet zones of Sri Lanka, with river courses having both slope (> 20°) and flat (< 20°) areas. Elemental concentrations, averaged over each river basin, show patterns of enrichment and depletion which may relate to localized mineralization conditions, local lithological changes, anthropogenic activities and environmental factors such as local variations in climate and morphology among river basins. Comparison of element concentrations in sediments from the four different lithotectonic units shows that enrichment – depletion patterns can be partly related to rock geochemistry of the associated lithotectonic unit. However, climate and basin morphology also seem to play an important role. Results of Kruskal–Wallis H tests show that both major and trace element levels in sediments from the four different lithotectonic units, as well as from adjacent Uma Oya, Badulu Oya and Belihul Oya basins, are significantly different. Discriminant function analysis appropriately classifies sediments into the four different lithotectonic units with an accuracy of 91.9%. This method also classifies sediments into river basins which share common lithology being situated adjacent to each other in the same lithotectonic unit with an accuracy of 89.5%. This strongly suggests that stream sediment geochemistry is capable of describing the upstream regional scale as well as local scale lithological changes at a great accuracy in complex high-grade metamorphic terrains. In both cases use of channel slope and basin climatic zone as additional variables does not significantly increase overall or individual accuracy in classification.     

Heavy-metal loadings related to urban contamination in the Kooloonbung Creek catchment,Port Macquarie,New South Wales

Urbanisation and industrial development lead to contamination of estuaries and streams with dispersed loadings of heavy metals and metalloids. Contributions of these elements also occur from natural sources. This study provides baseline geochemical data on the respective natural and anthropogenic inputs of Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, As, Sb, Cr, Ni, Mn and S to estuarine, fluvial and wetland sediments, and adjacent soils, in the Kooloonbung Creek catchment that drains the Port Macquarie urban area in north coastal New South Wales. There have been anthropogenic additions of Cu, Pb, Zn and As from dispersed urban sources at Port Macquarie, but they are restricted to the local catchment and do not impact on the adjacent Hastings River estuary. The most contaminated sediments display enrichment factors up to 20 × for Cu and Pb, 9 × for Zn and 5 × for As relative to local background values. However, only one value (for Pb) exceeds National Water Quality Management Strategy interim sediment quality guideline (high) values. On the other hand, sediments and local soils are commonly strongly enriched in Cr, Ni and Mn, reflecting adjacent ultramafic and mafic rock substrate and lateritic regolith. Concentrations of Cr and Ni are commonly well above interim sediment quality guideline (high) values for sediments, but are in mineralogical forms that are not readily bioavailable. Sediment and soil quality guideline values consequently need to recognise natural enrichments and the mineralogical siting of heavy metals. Although dissolved concentrations of heavy metals in stream waters are commonly low, there is evidence for mobility of Cu, Zn, Fe and Al. Parts of the Kooloonbung Creek wetland area lie on sulfidic estuarine sediments (potential acid sulfate soils). Experimental oxidation of uncontaminated and contaminated sulfidic sediments leads to substantial dissolution of heavy metals under acid conditions, with subsequent aquatic mobility. The results warn about disturbance and oxidation of potential acid sulfate soils that have been contaminated by urban and natural heavy-metal sources.     

Regional spatial distribution of multiple elements in the surface sediments of the eastern Tsushima Strait (southwestern Sea of Japan)

A total of 402 coastal sea-sediment samples were collected from the continental shelf, slope, and basin off Tsushima Island in the western Sea of Japan, and were analyzed for 51 elements as part of a nationwide marine geochemical mapping project. The samples were compared to potentially related sample sets, and the results were considered from the viewpoint of the origin of marine surface sediments in the western Sea of Japan. The spatial distribution of elemental concentrations in the coastal sea sediments correspond to texture, grain size, the presence of shells and foraminifera, and the mud content of surface marine sediments. Most elemental concentrations increased with increasing mud content. Some samples located in littoral areas included sediment particles apparently supplied from nearby rivers, but their contribution was limited. Overall, the mean chemical compositions of clastic material in coastal sea sediments appear to differ from those of stream sediments in adjacent terrestrial areas. In addition, the geochemistry of the coastal sea sediments cannot be fully explained by the mixing of the material supplied from Korean and Chinese stream sediments, which are the most feasible sources. Coastal sea sediments in the study area are well mixed by transportation processes; therefore, elemental abundances in these marine sediments may be homogenized to such an extent that it is not possible to determine their origin. Alternatively, most of the clastics in the sediment may actually represent relict reworked material, originally formed in the Yellow Sea and Tsushima Strait during the last glacial stage and subsequent transgression.     

Overbank sediments from central Mexico: an evaluation of their use in regional geochemical mapping and in studies of contamination from modern and historical mining

Overbank sediment sequences in central Mexico display vertical changes in chemistry which can be related to both anthropogenic contamination and natural geological sources and processes. They also show significant lateral chemical variation, at both local and regional levels, which makes the design of a sampling strategy for regional geochemical mapping or contamination studies difficult. This variation is particularly pronounced in drainage basins which have been contaminated by mining activity and limits the use of overbank sediment as a systematic regional geochemical mapping medium. To be used with confidence, overbank sediments require detailed studies of fluvial geomorphology and history, accompanied by accurate age dating. Active drainage sediments are a more viable alternative in areas of historical mining activity, but must be examined carefully in the light of the regional background where levels of contamination are low or the contaminants are buried within the river floodplain.     

Geochemical background and baseline values of toxic elements in stream sediments of Campania region (Italy)

In this paper are discussed the baseline geochemical maps of elements harmful to human health, using concentration values of 2389 stream sediment samples collected over the Campania region (Southern Italy). Each sample was digested in aqua regia and analysed by ICP-MS. For compilation of baseline geochemical maps, a recently developed multifractal inverse distance weighted (lDW) interpolation method and spectral analysis (S-A) was applied, using a new geochemistry dedicated GIS software (GeoDAS). The aim of this study is to discriminate between the geogenic natural content (background) and the anthropogenic contribution in the collected sediments. The definition of background values, in contrast to baseline values, is very important in determining the extent of polluted areas in countries like Italy, where environmental legislation has not yet established intervention limits for stream sediments.     

Accumulation discrepancy of heavy metal and organic pollutants in three near-shore depositional environments, southeastern China

Heavy metal and organic pollutants in sediments along the coastal zone of southeastern China have been investigated. Sediment samples are retrieved from three depositional environments: coast, estuary, and tide-affected river mouth. The relative abundance of heavy metal and organic pollutants is related to their geochemical properties as well as depositional environments and anthropogenic discharge. Based on a sequential extraction method, it is revealed that anthropogenic Pb, Cr, Cu, and Cd are mainly bound to Fe–Mn oxides, suggesting that adsorption and co-precipitation of Fe–Mn oxides are in the control of their transfer processes from water column to sediment. Heavy metal bound to carbonates is also an important pool especially for Cd, Mn, and Pb. The main organic pollutants found in the study area include petroleum-related alkanes, phthalic acid ester, organic silicon, chlorophenol, phenyl ether, and amine. The accumulation of heavy metals and organics in surficial sediments has a decrease tendency from estuarine environment to coastal environment and to tide-affected river mouth.     

Geogenic and anthropogenic lead isotope signatures in the urban environment of Natal (NE-Brazil)

In this study the effect of anthropogenic emissions on the lead isotopic composition of sediments from the Potengi-Jundiai river system near the fast growing city of Natal, NE-Brazil, is investigated. The lead isotope signatures of sediments from the region of Natal were measured by ICP QMS and can be discussed in terms of three different end members of lead. Two geogenic lead endmembers can be distinguished and also be spatially separated, as higher lead isotope ratios occur in the vicinity of the town of Macaiba while the lead isotope ratios decrease towards the city of Natal and the mouth of the estuary. Proterozoic rocks of different age are potential lead sources as Paleoproterozoic rocks occur in the catchment of Jundiai river and younger, Neoproterozoic rocks predominate towards the mouth of the river. The lead isotope signatures of the anthropogenically affected samples deviate from the signatures of the unaffected samples indicating the existence of a third, anthropogenic source of lead. This source represents the lead isotope signature of anthropogenic emitters like waste- and coal-combustion which is also revealed by other geochemical studies conducted in Brazil.     

Spatial and temporal variability of trace element concentrations in an urban subtropical watershed,Honolulu, Hawaii

Trace metal concentrations in soils and in stream and estuarine sediments from a subtropical urban watershed in Hawaii are presented. The results are placed in the context of historical studies of environmental quality (water, soils, and sediment) in Hawaii to elucidate sources of trace elements and the processes responsible for their distribution. This work builds on earlier studies on sediments of Ala Wai Canal of urban Honolulu by examining spatial and temporal variations in the trace elements throughout the watershed. Natural processes and anthropogenic activity in urban Honolulu contribute to spatial and temporal variations of trace element concentrations throughout the watershed. Enrichment of trace elements in watershed soils result, in some cases, from contributions attributed to the weathering of volcanic rocks, as well as to a more variable anthropogenic input that reflects changes in land use in Honolulu. Varying concentrations of As, Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn in sediments reflect about 60 a of anthropogenic activity in Honolulu. Land use has a strong impact on the spatial distribution and abundance of selected trace elements in soils and stream sediments. As noted in continental US settings, the phasing out of Pb-alkyl fuel additives has decreased Pb inputs to recently deposited estuarine sediments. Yet, a substantial historical anthropogenic Pb inventory remains in soils of the watershed and erosion of surface soils continues to contribute to its enrichment in estuarine sediments. Concentrations of other elements (e.g., Cu, Zn, Cd), however, have not decreased with time, suggesting continued active inputs. Concentrations of Ba, Co, Cr, Ni, V and U, although elevated in some cases, typically reflect greater proportions attributed to natural sources rather than anthropogenic input.     

Heavy metal distribution in sediment profiles of the Pearl River estuary,South China

The Pearl River estuary is created by the inflow of freshwater from the largest river system that drains into the South China Sea. In recent years, massive economic growth and development in the region has led to excessive release of waste into the environment. The accumulation of contaminants in sediments is likely to pose serious environmental problems in surrounding areas. The study of sediment profiles can provide much information on the metal contamination history and long term potential environmental impacts. In this project, 21 core samples (up to 3.65 m deep) were collected in the Pearl River estuary. About 15 subsamples from each core were analysed for moisture content, total organic matter (L.O.I.), particle size and heavy metal and major element concentrations. The results show that Pb and Zn contents are elevated in the sediments at most of the sampling sites. Compared with historical monitoring results, the sediment metal contents have increased over the last 20 a, particularly for Pb. The west side of the Pearl River estuary tends to be more contaminated than the east side due to the contaminants inputs from the major tributaries and different sedimentation conditions. There are close associations between Fe, Co, Ni and Cu concentrations in the sediments. Zinc and Pb contents in the sediment profiles reflect a combination of the natural geochemical background, anthropogenic influences and the mixing effects within the estuary. The distribution of Pb in the sediments shows strong influences of atmospheric inputs, probably from the coal burning activities in the region.     

Grain size and geochemistry of surface sediments in northwestern continental shelf of the South China Sea

Eighty-six surface sediments collected from the northwestern continental shelf of the South China Sea (SCS) were analyzed for grain size distribution, calcium carbonate, organic carbon, and major and trace element compositions to investigate sediment provenance and factors controlling their geochemical composition. Sediments from the eastern continental shelf of Hainan Island have higher sand and lower clay content, while the samples from the nearshore Hainan Island have higher contents of gravel and clay. Calcium carbonate contents in samples show a positive correlation with water depth in northwestern shelf of SCS, suggesting that it is related to biological factors. However, the nearshore sediments have higher contents of organic carbon compared to those of the outer shelf, possibly suggesting that the terrigenous organic matter usually deposited in nearshore environments such as bays and estuaries. Compared with the upper continental crust, the samples have relatively lower contents of SiO₂ and Al₂O₃, higher than those of the Pearl and Red river sediments. The low contents of K₂O and Na₂O in sediments from the northwestern continental shelf are consistent with intense chemical weathering in the river basin due to the seasonally hot and humid climate regime. The sediments mainly consist of three components, including the gravel fraction composed of calcareous debris, the sand fraction composed of quartz, and the silt and clay fractions mainly composed of clay minerals. The content of each component depends on grain size, sediment source, biogenesis, and hydrodynamic conditions, which finally controls the chemical composition of the sediments. The distributions of Co/Al₂O₃, Cr/Al₂O₃, and Zr/Sc ratios for sediments in the northwestern continental shelf suggest that source rocks are mainly composed of felsic rocks rather than mafic rocks. There is a distinct difference in sediment source between eastern and western shelf sediments; the eastern shelf sediments are characterized by high Zr/Sc ratios mainly derived from the Pearl River, while the western shelf sediments have relatively low values of Zr/Sc indicating a main contribution possibly sourced from the Red River Basin. Terrigenous materials from Hainan Island usually influence the geochemistry of sediments deposited in the nearshore area.     

Geochemical signatures and mechanisms of trace elements dispersion in the area of the Vale das Gatas mine (Northern Portugal)

A geochemical survey involving the collection and analysis of 170 stream sediment samples was carried out in Vale das Gatas area in order to delineate geochemical signatures and to detect pollution hazards due to mining.Factor analysis applied to the data showed that the most important variables accounting for the first factor are Ag, Pb, Bi, As, W, Cd, Zn and Cu. These variables represent the most significant metalliferous elements of the original paragenesis, which still maintain a close relationship in the secondary geological environment. The spatial distribution of the factor scores referred to factor 1 indicates that positive scores occur predominantly in the Vale das Gatas and Sabrosa streams and in the main Pinhão river. The results also show that the Vale das Gatas mine is the most important contamination source in the Vale das Gatas district.In order to study the dispersion, transfer and uptake mechanisms of trace elements from the Vale das Gatas mine, additional sample media were collected, i.e., stream sediments, tailings, coatings, waters (surficial and mine waters) and specific biological species. Four sample stations were selected, namely two in connection with abandoned adits of the Vale das Gatas mine, one located in the Vale das Gatas stream and one located in the Pinhão River. The results show that chemical reactions of leaching and precipitation took place controlling the heavy metals in areas near the Vale das Gatas mine.At the same time, positive anomalous patterns are visible along the Pinhão river for about 20 km. The mineralogical composition of the stream sediments suggests that processes of mechanical dispersion also interfere in the secondary distribution of the metalliferous elements in that media.     

The use of overbank sediment for geochemical mapping and contamination assessment: results from selected English and Welsh floodplains

Overbank sediment profiles from floodplains in England and Wales contain a record of both natural geochemical patterns and those showing the influence of man's activities. It has been suggested that this characteristic can be used to allow maps to be compiled which show human impact on the fluvial geochemical environment. Studies reviewed in this paper, however, show that a single overbank profile very rarely spans the period from before anthropogenic disturbance through to the Industrial Revolution and later. Significant lateral variations in metal concentrations occur also over a relatively small area in overbank sediments of the same general age. These, and the nature of vertical changes in chemistry, make the choice of sample sites, and sampling interval within a profile, difficult. Even sediments which appear uncontaminated may record anthropogenic influences from activities such as deforestation and agriculture. A means of dating the sediment and an appreciation of river erosion and sedimentation histories are shown to be essential in order to ensure that maps intended to depict natural geochemical variations are based on material deposited before disturbance of the catchment by human activity. These considerations and associated costs may render overbank sediment non-viable as a regional geochemical mapping medium.     

Geochemical mass balance for lithium, boron, and strontium in the Gulf of Papua, Papua New Guinea (project TROPICS)

A mass balance has been calculated for the elements Li, B, and Sr in the Gulf of Papua from sampling undertaken during 1993 to 1999. Parameters measured included Fly, Kikori, and Purari River inputs of dissolved and particulate phases, removal flux to sediment traps at the base of the continental shelf slope, and century-scale accumulation rates in shelf and slope sediments (derived from excess ²¹⁰Pb profiles in sediment cores). About 91% of river input Li was in particulate form, and there was conservative behavior of dissolved Li in the salinity gradient of the estuaries. Li accumulation rate in inner-shelf sediments was slightly less than river inputs, suggesting that more than 90% of Li river inputs were trapped in rapid aluminosilicate mud accumulation zones of the inner shelf (<50-m depth). Li removal rate to sediment traps at the base of the slope at ∼1000-m water depth was an order of magnitude smaller than the inner-shelf sedimentation. Export of Li to deep water Coral Sea was estimated to be 1.2 × 10⁸ mol yr⁻¹, and this amount is equivalent to the riverine dissolved Li annual supply rate. About 66% of river input of B was in the particulate phase, and low dissolved B concentrations in freshwater were conservatively mixed with higher concentrations of B in seawater across the salinity gradient. Removal of B to inner-shelf sediments was about 83% of the total river input, indicating a small export of B (1.2 × 10⁸ mol yr⁻¹) to the Coral Sea. About half of the dissolved B input from rivers is sorbed to particles and trapped in inner-shelf sediments. Only 24% of river input of Sr was in particulate form, and low freshwater concentrations of dissolved Sr were conservatively mixed with higher concentrations of Sr in seawater across the salinity gradient. Only 20% of total river inputs of Sr were buried in shelf sediments, and there was a large export (7.3 × 10⁸ mol yr⁻¹) of Sr off the shelf to the Coral Sea. A sediment core from a rapidly accumulating mud deposition zone of the inner shelf shows twofold sympathetic variations in Li, B, and Sr/Ca supply rates over 200- to 1000-yr time intervals.     

Environmental geochemistry of the Pichavaram mangrove ecosystem (tropical), southeast coast of India

 Spatial and temporal geochemical variations of various parameters in the water and sediment of a relatively small mangrove situated on the southeast coast of India were examined in detail for the first time. The water quality generally reflects the impact of seawater and the Vellar estuary (mixing effect) aided by evaporation and in situ biological productivity. The depletion and fluctuation of dissolved silica are controlled by biological processes. Nitrate and phosphate are contributed by fertilizer input from adjoining agriculture fields. Total suspended matter (TSM) shows an erratic range and trend due to deforestation and resuspension processes. Sand and silt constitute 70–90% of the sediments. Statistical analysis of the sediments shows the prevalence of a moderately high-energy environment with very effective winnowing activity. Organic matter content is higher in the mangrove sediments in comparison to adjacent estuaries. Water and sediment show fluctuations in their chemical concentration, but no specific trends could be identified. Heavy metals are also enriched in the mangrove sediments, indicating their unique chemical behavior and the existence of trapping mechanisms. Factor analysis and correlation analysis of water and sediments show the complexity of the system and the multitude of contributing sources. The core sediment chemistry suggests the depletion of metal input due to the damming of the detrital inputs. The Pichavaram mangrove seems to be relatively unpolluted, since the anthropogenic signal observed is small and acts as a sink for heavy metals contributed from a multitude of sources without an adverse effect. Received: 5 November 1997 · Accepted: 30 March 1998     

Evaluation of geochemical impact of tsunami on Pichavaram mangrove ecosystem,southeast coast of India

The 26 December 2004-tsunami has deposited sediments in the Pichavaram mangrove ecosystem, east coast of India. Ten surface and three core sediment samples were collected within 30 days of the event and analyzed for nutrients. Water samples were also analyzed to see the impact of tsunami on the geochemical behavior of nutrients. An increase in the concentration of various nutrients namely nitrate and phosphate was observed. The geochemistry of the mangrove forest was observed to be influenced by a number of factors like rapid increase of aquaculture farms, agricultural practices and the anthropogenic discharge from the nearby-inhabited areas. Further the sediment column was disturbed due to energetic tsunami waves, which has caused a sheer increase in the dissolved oxygen in water. As a result, the change in the redox potential has resulted in change in the nutrients absorbed/associated with the sediments. In addition, role of retreating water after tsunami on the nutrient geochemistry was also evaluated.     

Retention of riverine iron in estuaries

Retention of Fe flocs, resulting from the mixing of river water and seawater, was examined in three Maine estuaries. Riverine Fe was found to remain fairly conservative with salinity, implying that the process of floccufation does not necessarily remove Fe from water parcels. Laboratory experiments corroborated the field data by demonstrating that neither gravity nor suspended sediment were very effective in removing flocculated Fe from suspension. However, input of a tannery effluent did appear to result in scavenging of Fe from estuarine waters. Flocculated riverine Fe was found to increase considerably the Fe concentrations of estuarine bottom sediments, with the amount of iron per sediment specific surface area dependent on mean river flow entering an estuary. While no long term retention efficiencies could be calculated for these estuaries, it seems likely that a significant portion of flocculated riverine Fe escapes to shelf waters.