The pollution of marine sediments by trace elements in the coastal region of Togo caused by dumping of cadmium-rich phosphorite tailing into the sea

 The marine coastal sediments from Togo have been analysed for the trace elements Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Sr, V, Zn and Zr to ascertain the geo-ecological impact of dumping of phosphorite tailings into the sea. Trace element concentrations ranged from 2–44 ppm for Cd, 22–184 ppm for Cu, 19–281 ppm for Ni, 22–176 ppm for Pb, 179–643 ppm for Sr, 38–329 ppm for V, 60–632 ppm for Zn and 18–8928 ppm for Zr. Regional distribution of trace elements in the marine environment indicates that the concentrations of Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, V, Sr and Zn increase seawards and along the coastal line outwards of the tailing outfall, whereas Cd and Zr showed reversed spatial patterns. Sorting and transport of phosphorite particles by coastal currents are the main factors controlling the distribution of particle-bound trace metals in the coastal environment. The Cd, Sr and Zn concentrations decrease with decreasing grain size in marine coastal sediments, whereas Cr, Cu, Ni and Zn concentrations increase with decreasing grain size. Percolation and shaking experiments were carried out in laboratory using raw phosphate material and artificial sea water. Enhanced mobilization of Cd from phosphorites by contact with the sea water was observed. Received: 11 May 1998 · Accepted: 20 October 1998     

Arsenic and mercury contamination in 31 cores taken in 1965, St. Anna Trough, Kara Sea, Arctic Ocean

 Several cores of 31 collected in 1965 in the St. Anna Trough, Kara Sea, have very high concentrations of Hg and As in surface/near-surface samples. Mercury contents range from 94 to 3915 ppb with a mean of 444 ppb and a baseline value of 314 ppb. Arsenic contents range from 5 to 710 ppm with a mean of 51 ppm and a baseline value of 23 ppm. The Hg and part of the As loading is likely anthropogenic from industrial activities in Siberia via atmospheric emission and deposition onto catchments. This is followed by mobilization into fluvial systems and is added to by industrial effluent discharge. Post-depositional diagenesis from depth in the cores contributes to high As values. A north-flowing bottom current transports Hg- and As-bearing suspended material from the Ob River sea discharge zone to depositional environments in the St. Anna Trough. Dumping of military materials and other wastes into the Kara Sea from the late 1940s to 1991 has likely added to Hg and As loading in the trough sediments. The bioavailability of mercury from suspended materials may be the reason why higher than normal levels of these potentially toxic elements are found in European Arctic seabirds, ringed seal and polar bear. Received: 12 December 1999 · Accepted: 23 May 2000     

Geochemical factors controlling accumulation of major and trace elements in Greenland coastal and fjord sediments

 The major (Al, Ti, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Si) and trace element (Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Li, Ni, Pb, V, Zn) concentrations in surficial (<20 cm) sediments from fjords and open coastal waters around Greenland have been determined. Regionally, high concentrations of Fe, Ti, Mg, Cr, Cu, Ni, and V occur in some west and east coast sediments, but they appear to be natural in origin, as there is no indication of anthropogenic influence. Chemical partition indicates that most of the heavy metals are structurally bound in various silicate, oxide, and sulfide minerals. These host minerals occur more or less equally in the coarse and fine sediment fractions (material >63 μm and <63 μm) and have accumulated at the same rate as other detrital clastic material. Provenance and glaciomarine deposition are the main factors controlling the abundance and distribution of the major and trace elements. The chemical composition reflects the mineralogical differences in the provenance of glacial marine material deposited by water and ice adjacent to Greenland. The main source of the sediments enriched in Ti, Fe, Mg, Cr, Cu, Ni, and V appears to be material derived from the volcanic rocks of the Mesozoic-Tertiary Provinces of Greenland by glacial erosion. Received: 26 June 1995 · Accepted: 11 August 1995     

Heavy metals in sediments of a large, turbid tropical lake affected by anthropogenic discharges

 Bottom-water data and trace metal concentration of Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, Co, Zn, and organic matter in surficial sediment samples from 13 sampling stations of Lake Chapala in Mexico were studied. The lake is turbid with a great amount of flocculated sediments as a result of wind mixing, sediment re-suspension, and Lerma River discharges. Al distribution pattern in sediments was used as an indicator of the Lerma River discharges into Lake Chapala. The highest values of Cu (33.27 ppm), Cr (81.94 ppm), Pb (99.8 ppm), and Zn (149.7 ppm) were detected in sediments near the lake outlet. The bioavailable metal fraction is low for all metals except Pb, which shows 65–93% of the total metal concentration in bioavailable form. The minimum energy zone in the lake was related to organic matter concentration and was located in the SE part of the lake. An analysis of the studied parameters shows two zones: eastern zone (fluvio-deltaic) and central-western zone (lacustrine). Received: 9 September 1998 · Accepted: 16 November 1998     

Geochemistry of thirteen Voronin Trough cores,Kara Sea,European Arctic: Hg and As contaminants at a 1965 timeline

The potentially toxic elements Hg and As are found at high concentrations in surface/near-surface sediments from Arctic ocean cores collected from the Voronin Trough, Kara Sea, during 1965. The levels reach 2045 ppb for Hg and 270 ppm for As. Manganese high values (up to 1.27%) are also found in the cores’ surface/near-surface sections. Other heavy metals tracked by the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Program (e.g., Cu, Ni, Pb, Sb, Ti, Zn) have baseline concentrations in the cores. The cores average >57% clay-size and >35% silt-size in their textural composition. The elevated contents may result from anthropogenic input for Hg and As with diagenesis adding to the As concentration. Possible sources for these elements are emissions and effluents from industry such as mining and smelting operations, and burning of fossil fuels in Siberia and the Urals. When discharged into the Kara Sea from Siberian catchments, the As and Hg likely attach to charged particulate surfaces of Fe oxy/hydroxides (for As) and particulate organic matter or clay minerals (for Hg). These are transported, entrained in ocean currents or adhered to pack ice, to the Voronin Trough where they deposit according to size and specific gravity.     

Proton-induced X-ray emission measurements of trace elements in water samples collected from an Indiana coal mining locality

A new method of simultaneous multi-elemental analysis, Proton Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE), was used to detect trace elements in waters associated with a coal strip-mining operation in southern Indiana. Stream, pond, and ground water samples were collected and analyzed monthly from, or near, Sulphur Creek in Sullivan County. The concentrations of 26 major and trace elements were determined in samples from eleven locations: K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, As, Se, Br, Rb, Sr, Mo, Cd, Sn, Sb, I, Ba, Hg, Pb, and U. Elemental concentrations fluctuated considerably throughout the 13-month sampling period and also among sampling sites. Nickel, Zn, As, Cd, Mn, Fe, and Ca were highest in the upstream water which was most acidic (pH = 2.9–4.0) because of old unreclaimed mining operations. The highest values recorded were Ni = 1662 ppb, Zn = 4953 ppb, As = 26 ppb, Cd = 93 ppb, Mn = 5063 ppb, Fe = 63 ppm, and Ca = 325 ppm. The concentrations of these elements decreased downstream as the pH of Sulphur Creek increased which was likely due to the influence of the calcareous glacial till cover in the area and the recent mining activity which disturbed overburden containing a high percentage of calcareous materials. Lead, I, Br, and Ti values were highest (661 ppb, 86 ppb, 70 ppb, and 45 ppb, respectively) in the ground water from the coal seam (pH approximately 7). Other elements which were relatively high in the pH 7 waters closest to the current mining operations (pond, stream, and groundwater) included K (17 ppm), Sr (3408 ppb), Ba (173 ppb), As (14 ppb), Rb (16 ppb), Sn (14 ppb), and Cu (3840 ppb). The highest Cu concentration was recorded at the point where drainage water from the mine entered Sulphur Creek. Gallium, U, Hg, and Mo were found in low (< 13 ppb for Ga and Hg; < 205 ppb for Mo and U) concentrations and only in the ponds within the mine.     

甘肃省夏河县甘加贡玛—阿姨山地区水系沉积物地球化学特征

夏河县地区位于中秦岭断褶带西段,观音大庄—力士山断裂带南侧、夏河—合作断裂带中部,属夏河—合作成矿带。通过开展1 ∶ ５万水系沉积物测量工作,并对异常进行查证解释,从区域地质背景和矿区地质特征入手,重点分析了甘加贡玛—阿姨山地区的水系沉积物金异常,表面该区水系沉积物异常分布与构造展布方向一致,金异常对地层的选择性明显;通过对水系沉积物测量中Au、Ag、Cu、Pb、Zn、As 、Sb、Hg、Cr、Ni、Sn、W、Mo、Bi等14种元素分析结果进行R型聚类分析和相关性分析,得出区内可选用Au、Cu、Pb、Zn 4种元素作为主成矿元素进行成矿预测。     

Trace metal concentrations in lake and overbank sediments in southern Norway

 As, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, V, Se and Zn concentrations were determined and compared in lake and overbank sediments from 33 catchments without local pollution sources in southern Norway. There were no significant differences in concentrations of Be, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, and V in overbank and pre-industrial lake sediments. In areas with shallow overburden, and significant influence from long-range atmospheric pollution, concentrations of As, Cd, Hg, Pb, Se, and Zn in overbank sediments were probably modified by vertical percolating water. In such areas, we suggest using lake sediments as a better sampling medium for mapping pre-industrial concentrations. Pre-industrial lake sediments yield natural concentrations of Hg and Se, which consist of both geogenic and natural atmospheric deposition. Important covariables like organic carbon content, Fe oxides, and fine mineral fraction were generally higher in pre-industrial lake sediments as compared to overbank sediments. By adjusting for such differences overbank sediments could be used as an alternative in mapping background concentrations of trace metals in regions with few lakes. Received: 19 February 1999 · Accepted: 17 April 1999     

Bed sediment-associated trace metals in an urban stream, Oahu, Hawaii

 Of the 117 stream and lake systems sampled nationwide, fish from Manoa Stream on Oahu, Hawaii, have consistently shown the highest Pb concentrations. Therefore a detailed study was conducted to examine total metal contents in bed sediments from a 5.8-km stretch of Manoa Stream. A total of 123 samples (<63 μm) were examined for 18 elements and 14 samples for 21 elements. Selected samples were also examined using different leach solutions to examine metal phase associations. All trace metal data, computations of enrichment ratios and the modified index of geoaccumulation point to mineralogical control for Cr and Ni; minor anthropogenic contamination for Ba, Cd, Cu, Hg and Zn; and a very strong contamination signal for Pb. Maximum Pb contents (up to 1080 mg kg⁻¹) were associated with anthropogenic material dumping in minor tributaries, storm sewer sediments and sediments in the “lower” section of the basin. Proportionally Pb had the highest non-residual component of elements examined; dominantly in the reducible phase associated with Mn and amorphous Fe oxyhydroxides. The contamination signal was typically lowest in the “undisturbed” headwater reach of the basin (above 5.1 km) with significant increases throughout the “residential” and “commercial-institutional” zones of the mid-basin. The spatial pattern of bed sediment contamination and evidence from storm sewer-outlet sediments strongly indicates that Pb, and to a lesser degree some other metals, is still being transported to the stream and the primary agent is soil erosion and transport of metals sorbed to sediments. The primary source of sediment-associated metals is considered to be the automobile, though other minor sources can not be ruled out. Received: 3 November 1998 · Accepted: 26 January 1999     

渤海西部表层沉积物中重金属的环境地球化学特征

为探讨渤海西部在多重环境因素变化下沉积物中重金属的环境地球化学行为,分析了渤海西部44个站位表层沉积物样品中8种重金属元素含量,研究了重金属元素的分布特征、环境影响因素及其生态风险。结果表明,渤海西部表层沉积物中As、Cu、Cd、Cr、Hg、Ni、Pb、Zn的平均含量分别为117 mg/kg、255 mg/kg、014 mg/kg、689 mg/kg、0037 mg/kg、303 mg/kg、223 mg/kg、757 mg/kg;Cu、Cr、Ni、Zn含量与有机碳含量、小于63 μm细粒沉积物呈显著正相关,其在表层沉积物中的分布明显受到有机质含量和沉积物粒径的控制,而As、Hg分布没有明显受到有机质含量的影响。富集系数显示,Cr、Ni、Pb和Zn为无富集,Cu、As为轻度富集,Cd和Hg为中度富集。与多种背景值和一致性沉积物质量基准相比较,渤海西部表层沉积物Pb、Cd的含量超出背景值,而Cu、Zn、Ni、Cr、As、Hg含量也存在一定的异常,但其含量水平引发有害生物效应的可能性不大,尽管重金属元素含量偏高,但生态风险较小。     

Trace element distributions in aquatic sediments of Danang – Hoian area, Vietnam

 Distribution of the trace elements Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn in surficial sediments of the river/sea environment in Danang – Hoian area (Vietnam) was investigated to examine the degree of metal pollution caused by anthropogenic activities. Point sources from domestic and industrial wastes are identified as dominant contributors of trace element accumulation. Surficial sediments of Hoian River show extremely high total concentrations of Cu (Average Concentration 295 μg/g), Ni (AC 112 μg/g), Pb (AC 396 μg/g) and Zn (AC 429 μg/g) that exceed assigned safety levels ER-M. Similarly, the sediments of Han River show high Pb (AC 188 μg/g) and Zn (AC 282 μg/g) contents. In marine sediments of Thanhbinh beach Pb is also enriched (138 μg/g) above guideline levels. In contrast the sediments of the Cude River are dominated by trace element concentrations close to background values. Received: 17 December 1998 · Accepted: 6 May 1999     

Status of anthropogenically induced metal pollution in the Kanpur-Unnao industrial region of the Ganga Plain, India

 The Ganga Plain is one of the most densely populated regions and one of the largest groundwater repositories of the Earth. For several decades, the drainage basin of the Ganga Plain has been used for the disposal of domestic and industrial wastes which has adversely affected the quality of water, sediments and agricultural soils of the plain. The concentrations of Al, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sn, Zn and organic carbon were determined in river sediments and soils of the Ganga Plain in the Kanpur-Unnao industrial region in 1994 and 1995 (pre-monsoon period of April–May). High contents (maximum values) of C-org (12.0 wt. %), Cr (3.40 wt. %), Sn (1.92 wt. %), Zn (4000 mg/kg), Pb (646 mg/kg), Cu (408 mg/kg), Ni (502 mg/kg) and Cd (9.8 mg/kg) in sediments (<20 μm fraction); and C-org (5.9 wt. %), Cr (2.16 wt. %), Sn (1.21 wt %), Zn (975 mg/kg) and Ni (482 mg/kg) in soils (<20 μm) in the pre-monsoon period of 1994 were found. From 1994 to 1995 the contents of Fe and Sn in sediments increase whereas those of C-org, Cd, Cu, Ni and Zn decrease. Considering the analytical errors, Al, Co, Cr, Mn and Pb do not show any change in their concentrations. In soils, the contents of Cd, Fe and Sn increase whereas those of Ni decrease from 1994 to 1995. Aluminium, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Pb and Zn do not show any change in their concentrations from 1994 to 1995. About 90% of the contents of Cd, Cr and Sn; 50–75% of C-org, Cu and Zn; and 25% of Co, Ni and Pb in sediments are derived from the anthropogenic input in relation to the natural background values, whereas in soils this is the case for about 90% of Cr and Sn; about 75% of Cd; and about 25% of C-org, Cu, Ni and Zn. The sediments of the study area show enrichment factors of 23.6 for Cr, 14.7 for Cd, 12.2 for Sn, 3.6 for C-org, 3.2 for Zn, 2.6 for Cu and 1.6 for Ni. The soils are enriched with factors of 10.7 for Cr, 9.0 for Sn, 3.6 for Cd, 1.8 for Ni and 1.5 for Cu and Zn, respectively. Received: 3 March 1998 · Accepted: 15 June 1998     

Chalcophile elements in western Canadian coals

Concentrations of chalcophile elements (As, Co, Cu, Hg, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb and Zn) in western Canadian coals were determined using INAA and AAS. The concentrations of these elements in western Canadian coals are within the range for most world coals. However, there are some high values for coals from outcrops and from areas which are not currently being mined.Arsenic content in the majority of western Canadian coals, particularly those currently being mined, is low (0.2–3 ppm). However, there are coals with high arsenic content; for example, lignites from Hat Creek A zone contain between 4.0 and 14.0 ppm As. In some samples from Comox and Suquash, the As concentration is as high as 240 ppm and 1400 ppm, respectively. The enrichment of As in high arsenic coals is related to the geology and nature of country rocks associated with the coal seams. The concentration of other elements for most western Canadian coals, particularly those being mined, are within the range for most world coals. In these coals, the concentration ranges (in ppm) of chalcophile elements are 0.3-3.6 for Sb, 0.8-4.6 for Co, 7–35 for Cu, <0.1 for Hg, 2–6 for Mo, 4–94 for Ni, 6–22 for Pb, 2–7 for Se and 7–110 for Zn.     

Heavy metal contamination of coastal lagoon sediments by anthropogenic activities: the case of Nador (East Morocco)

Nador lagoon sediments (East Morocco) are contaminated by industrial iron mine tailings, urban dumps and untreated wastewaters from surrounding cities. The lagoon is an ecosystem of biological, scientific and socio-economic interests but its balance is threatened by pollution already marked by biodiversity changes and a modification of foraminifera and ostracods shell structures. The aim of the study is to assess the heavy metal contamination level and mobility by identifying the trapping phases. The study includes analyses by ICP-AES and ICP-MS, of, respectively, major (Si, Al, Mg, Ca, Fe, Mn, Ti, Na, K, P) and trace elements (Sr, Ba, V, Ni, Co, Cr, Zn, Cu, As, Pb, Cd) in sediments and suspended matter, heavy metals enrichment factors calculations and sequential extractions. Results show that sediments contain Zn, Cu, Pb, V, Cr, Co, As, Ni with minimum and maximum concentrations, respectively, of 4–1190 μg/g, 4–466 μg/g, 11–297 μg/g, 11–194 μg/g, 9–139 μg/g, 1–120 μg/g, 4–76 μg/g, 2–62 μg/g. High concentrations in Zn are also present in suspended matter. The enrichment factors show contamination in Zn, Pb and As firstly induced by the mining industry and secondly by unauthorized dumps and untreated wastewaters. Cr and Ni are bound to clays, whereas V, Co, Cu and Zn are related to oxides. Thus, the risk in metal mobility is for the latter elements and lies in the oxidation–reduction-changing conditions of sediments.     

Geology,geochemistry and mineralogy of the lignite-hosted Ambassador palaeochannel uranium and multi-element deposit,Gunbarrel Basin,Western Australia

The Ambassador U and multi-element deposit occurs on the SW margin of the Gunbarrel Basin, Western Australia. Low-grade, flat-lying U mineralization averaging about 2 m thick at 0.03% U occurs in lignites at the redox front at the base of the weathering profile within a laterally extensive palaeochannel network. Uranium is principally associated with organic matter within the lignitic matrix, although rare discrete U minerals, such as coffinite and uraninite, are also present. The lignite is also enriched in a suite of other elements, principally base metals and sulphur, with concentrations of 0.3 ≥ 1% Cu, Pb, Ni, Co, Zn and total rare earth elements (REE) in some samples. Other element enrichments include: Cr, Cs, Sc, Se, Ta, Ti, Th, V and Zr as detrital heavy minerals of Zr, Ti and REE (oxides and silicates) or authigenic minerals of Cu, Bi, Pb, Zn, Ni, Se, Hg, Ti, Cr, Tl, V, U and REE (sulphides, vanadates, selenides, oxides, chlorides and native metals) and diffuse lignite impregnations. The Ambassador deposit probably formed from the convergence of redox-active weathering processes to unique source/host rocks, constrained within the palaeochannel. A proximal source of U and trace elements of lamproite/carbonatite origin is probable, as constrained by U–Pb isotope and U–Th disequilibria studies. Uranium and other metals were precipitated syngenetically with organic matter as it was deposited during a humid phase in the Late Eocene. Remobilization subsequently concentrated the metals in the upper 2 m of the lignite. This may have occurred during one or more periods of weathering and associated diagenesis, with the latest episode in the last 300,000 years.     

A contemporary contamination record of stormdrain and harbour sediments, Wellington, New Zealand

 Sediments from stormdrain catchments and outlets in Wellington city and sediment traps from Wellington Harbour were sampled for trace metal content. Samples were analysed for total metal content using XRF and ICP-MS. High values of Pb and Zn were found in stormdrain catchments and outlets, decreasing to elevated background rock levels in the harbour. Maximum values were recorded in an inner city stormdrain catchment, with levels of Pb (4605 ppm), Cu (2981 ppm) and Zn (3572 ppm) all higher than the biological probable effects levels (PEL). Concentrations of As, Cr, Cu, Pb, Ni and Zn concentrations in all harbour sediment trap samples were below the PEL. The mean values for each harbour sediment trap sample can be used as an accurate historical baseline in future studies. Stormdrain samples with high trace metal levels were close to industrial and construction sites. The proximity of these outlets to recreational areas should be of concern to local authorities. Received: 28 August 1997 · Accepted: 15 December 1997     

The sources of metal contents in the shelf sediments from the Marmara Sea, Turkey

The shelf area is the largest morphological unit of the Marmara Sea and is subjected to increasing population, urbanization, and industrial activities. Metal contents (Al, Fe, Mn, Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, Cr, Co and Hg) of the surface sediments from the shelf areas of the Marmara Sea generally do not indicate shelf-wide pollution. The variability of the metal contents of the shelf sediments is mainly governed by the geochemical differences in the northern and southern hinterlands. Northern shelf sediments contain lower values compared to those of the southern shelf, where higher Ni, Cr, Pb, Cu and Zn are derived from the rock formations and mineralized zones. However, besides from the natural high background in the southern shelf, some anthropogenic influences are evident from EF values of Pb, Zn and Cu, and also from their high mobility in the semi-isolated bay sediments. Anthropogenic influences are found to be limited at the confluence of Istanbul Strait in the northern shelf. However, suspended sediments along the shallow parts of the northern shelf were found to be enriched in Pb and Hg and to a lesser degree in Zn, reflecting anthropogenic inputs from Istanbul Metropolitan and possibly from the Black Sea via the Istanbul Strait.     

Environmental assessment of heavy metal contamination in bottom sediments of Al-Kharrar lagoon,Rabigh, Red Sea,Saudi Arabia

In order to assess the pollution levels of selected heavy metals, 45 bottom sediment samples were collected from Al-Kharrar lagoon in central western Saudi Arabia. The concentrations of the heavy metals were recorded using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). The results showed that the concentrations of Pb and Cd exceeded the environmental background values. However, the heavy metal contents were less than the threshold effect level (TEL) limit. The concentrations of heavy metals in lagoon bottom sediments varied spatially, but their variations showed similar trends. Elevated levels of metals were observed in the northern and southern parts of the lagoon. Evaluation of contamination levels by the sediment quality guidelines (SQG) of the US-EPA revealed that sediments were non-polluted-moderately to heavily polluted with Pb; non-polluted to moderately polluted with Cu; and non-polluted with Mn, Zn, Cd, and Cr. The geoaccumulation index showed that lagoon sediments were unpolluted with Cd, Mn, Fe, Hg, Mo, and Se; unpolluted to moderately polluted with Zn and Co; and moderately polluted with Pb, Cr, Cu, and As. The high enrichment factor values for Pb, As, Cu, Cr, Co, and Zn (>2) indicate their anthropogenic sources, whereas the remaining elements were of natural origins consistent with their low enrichment levels. The values of CF indicate that the bottom sediments of Al-Kharrar lagoon are moderately contaminated with Mn and Pb.     

Heavy metal concentrations and their possible sources in paddy soils of a modern agricultural zone,southeastern China

In a typical modern agricultural Zone of southeastern China, Haining City, 224 topsoil samples were collected from paddy fields to measure the total concentrations of copper (Cu), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), mercury (Hg), arsenic (As) and cobalt (Co). The total concentrations ranged from 15.30 to 78.40 mg kg⁻¹ for Cu, 20.10 to 41.40 mg kg⁻¹ for Pb, 54.98 to 224.4 mg kg⁻¹ for Zn, 0.04 to 0.24 mg kg⁻¹ for Cd, 54.90 to 197.1 mg kg⁻¹ for Cr, 0.03 to 0.61 mg kg⁻¹ for Hg, 3.44 to 15.28 mg kg⁻¹ for As, and 7.17 to 19.00 mg kg⁻¹ for Co. Chemometric techniques and geostatistics were utilized to quantify their spatial characteristics and define their possible sources. All eight metals had a moderate spatial dependency except that Pb had a strong spatial dependency. Both factor analysis and cluster analysis successfully classified the eight metals into three groups or subgroups, the first group included Cu, Zn and Cr, the second group included Cd, As and Co, and the last group included Pb and Hg. The Cu, Zn and Cr concentrations in majority samples were higher than their local background concentrations and they were highly correlated (r > 0.80), indicating that they had similar pollution source and anthropic factor controlled their spatial distribution; the Cd, As and Co concentrations in majority samples were lower than their local background concentrations, indicating that the source of these elements was mainly controlled by natural factors; the mean concentration of Pb exhibited generally low level, close to its local background concentration, the Hg concentration in about half of samples was higher than its local background concentration, and they were poor correlated with the other metals, indicating that the source of Pb and Hg was common controlled by natural factor and anthropic factor.     

Heavy mineral distribution as related to environmental conditions for modern beach sediments from the Susanoglu (Atakent,Mersin, Turkey)

Geochemical works were conducted on anthropogenically effective lithologic unit exposing along the Susanoglu coast in Mersin, Turkey. For this purpose, beach sand sediments from 33 stations were collected and heavy metal and oxide concentrations were analyzed. To determine the source of heavy metals (natural and anthropogenic), simple and multivariate statistical analyses were applied. According to factor analysis, three factors were determined. The first factor consists of SiO₂, Al₂O₃, Na₂O, K₂O, TiO₂, Cr, Ni, Cu and Mo and total variance is explained with 27.502% and expressed as “natural process factor”. These elements (Cr, Ni, Cu, Mo) are closely associated with geogenic materials and came from same sources of ultrabasic rocks (ophiolite). The second factor consists of CaO, MgO, TiO₂, MnO, Ni, Pb, Zn and W and total variance is explained with 21.505% and expressed as “anthropogenic factor”. These elements (Pb, Zn, Cd, V, W) are anthropogenic and are mainly due to the effluent or industrial input/activities and came from different sources of pollution in the study area. The third factor consists of Pb, Cd and Sb and total variance is explained with 9.748% and expressed as “intermediate factor”. The factor analysis and the cluster analysis are in support of each other. Cr, Ni, Co, Cd, Hg and Mo concentrations are greater than Turkish acceptable values and they show toxic effect. Al, Cu, Pb, Cd and Mo concentrations in beach sand deposits in the Susanoglu coast are found as 1.44, 1.26, 1.21, 1.02 and 1.04 mg/kg and higher than those in Kızkalesi beach sands. However, all other heavy metal contents are determined in low concentrations.