Diagenetic cycling of trace elements in the bottom sediments of the Swan River Estuary,Western Australia

Teflon strips were used in-situ in the bottom sediments at two sites in the Swan River Estuary to collect diagenetic Fe–Mn oxyhydroxides and monitor monthly changes in their morphology and trace element geochemistry. This study demonstrates that substantial concentrations of trace elements accumulate at the redox front during the formation of diagenetic Fe–Mn oxyhydroxides. It is likely that the Fe–Mn oxyhydroxides initially nucleate and grow on the Teflon strips via bacterial activity. Trace element geochemistry of the diagenetic Fe–Mn oxyhydroxides is influenced by changes in the supply of trace elements from either the bottom sediments and/or water column or changes in the physico-chemical status of bottom and porewaters. If sufficient diagenetic Fe–Mn oxyhydroxides are preserved in the upper layer(s) of the bottom sediment it is possible that diagenetic (secondary) trace element enrichment profiles may be produced which modify the historical input of natural or anthropogenic trace element sources. Alternatively, partial or complete dissolution of the diagenetic Fe–Mn oxyhydroxides in response to temporal changes in the redox status of the bottom sediment may lead to a substantial underestimate of trace element fluxes in historical bottom sediment profiles. This study highlights that considerable care must be taken when interpreting short- to long-term geochemical profiles in bottom sediments due to the possible occurrence of rapid, seasonally mediated diagenetic processes.     

Partition geochemistry of hydrothermal precipitates from submarine hydrothermal fields in the Hellenic Volcanic Island Arc

The geochemical study of 5 sediment cores obtained from different shallow hydrothermal fields along the volcanic arc (Methana, Milos, Kos and Yali), revealed that the degree of rock hydrothermal alteration from one area to another is different and is influenced by the physical and geochemical properties of the hydrothermal venting fluids and the type of the rocks in the substrate. The submarine hydrothermal fields in the central Aegean Sea are linked with the Hellenic Volcanic Arc and imprint their hydrothermal influence on the local marine sediments. Hydrothermal venting fluids differ in pH, temperature, gas and metallic element content, intensity of gas and water flux, while rock substrate is variable in terms of thickness and chemistry of the marine sediments and the mineral deposits. The analytical results showed that the lowest values of Fe are observed in Palaeochori Bay (0.72%) and the highest values are found in Bros Thermi (2.72%). The highest Mn concentrations are found in Bros Thermi (407 ppm) and the lowest are found in Yali (29 ppm). Cu and Pb highest concentrations are found in Bros Thermi (21 ppm) and Thiafi Bay (16 ppm), and the lowest in Yali (1 ppm). Zn highest values are found in Bros Thermi (56 ppm) and the lowest values in Kephalos Bay (10 ppm). Finally, the Ca and Mg-richest layers are observed in Kephalos 7.5 and 0.98% respectively and the lowest are observed in Milos (0.01% for Ca) and Yali (0.12% for Mg). The hydrothermal activity presented variations with geological time and hydrothermal suspended particulate matter coming out from the vent outlets also influence the sediment geochemistry. As an example in Methana, high concentrations of Cu and Zn in SPM result in high levels of Cu and Zn in the sediments.     

江西金山矿区硅质岩的发现及其地质意义

通过野外地质调查和系统的岩石学及常量元素、微量元素、稀土元素地球化学特征的研究,探讨了金山矿区硅质岩的成因和大地构造环境。通过测试分析,显示区内硅质岩贫Al₂O₃、TiO₂,富As、Sb、Hg、Au、Ag、W、Pb,贫∑REE,δ(Eu)为负异常,δ（Ce）为弱正异常,HREE相对富集等热水沉积物的特征,同时也表明在硅质岩的形成过程中有陆源物质的介入。在判别硅质岩的形成与作用的一系列图解上,样品均落在热水沉积作用和形成于大陆边缘环境的范围内,这与一些特征值w(Fe)/w(Ti)、w(Fe+Mn)/ w(Ti)、w(Al)/w(Al+Fe+Mn)、w(MnO)/w(TiO₂)、δ(Ce)等的分析结果相吻合。这种硅质岩的发现与对比结果说明了该区域构造演化的复杂性。在晚古生代加里东运动使赣东北地区壳体断裂拉张,形成断陷盆地,并发生了热水喷流沉积成岩成矿作用。金山金矿床在形成过程中还经历了古生代热水成矿作用的叠加改造。     

Assessment of trace metal contents in water and bottom sediments from Eğirdir Lake,Turkey

The concentration of metals (Pb, As, Co, Cu, Ni, Zn, Fe and Mn) was investigated in water and sediment samples of E?irdir Lake. The Lake is the second largest fresh water lake of Turkey and it is used as drinking water in the region. The anthropogenic pollutants are primary sources of trace metals which are negatively affected lake water quality. These negative effects were observed in both lake water and bottom sediments. According to obtained data, Pb, Cu, Ni, Fe and Zn have significant enrichment in sediments samples. In addition, the hydrodynamic model of the lake was determined as effectively for Pb, Co, Cu, Ni, Zn, Fe and Mn accumulations. Also, the effect of anthropogenic pollutants was found to be more dominant than geogenic effect in metal accumulation of the lake bottom sediments. Therefore, anthropogenic pollutants within the lake basin should be consistently controlled for the sustainable usage of the lake.     

Geochemistry of ferromanganese nodules in the Gulf of Finland, Baltic Sea

Distribution of the major and trace elements in ferromanganese nodules, which are buried or exposed on the seafloor, and in host sediments was studied in ten concretion/sediment pairs by various physical and chemical methods. It has been established that, in addition to Fe and Mn, a limited number of the major and trace elements (P, Ca, Sr, Ba, Mo, Co, Zn, Ni, As, Pb, Sb, Tl, U, W, Y, and Ga included) is accumulated with a variable degree of intensity (relative to sediments) in the concretions. As compared to host sediments, the maximal content of Mn in concretions is 100 times higher, whereas maximal contents of all other elements listed above vary from more than one to 10–20 times. Manganese and, to a lesser extent, Ba and Sr are concentrated in the buried concretions. Other elements are primarily concentrated in concretions exposed on the sea-floor. The occurrence mode of concretions and compositional data on interstitial water suggest that metals in the concretions were derived from seawater and suspended particulates, in addition to sediments. Burial of concretions in the sediment pile is accompanied by the alteration of their composition, accumulation of Mn (relative to Fe), and loss of several associated metals.     

Surface water quality and sediment geochemistry in the Gualaxo do Norte basin,eastern Quadrilátero Ferrífero,Minas Gerais,Brazil

This paper describes the geochemistry of water and sediment samples downstream from two iron mines in the Gualaxo do Norte River basin, north of Mariana city, Minas Gerais state, Brazil. Electric conductivity, total dissolved solids, pH, E_h, Na, K, Ca, Mg and trace elements (Fe, Mn, Al, Cd, Ni, Cr, Zn, As, Pb, Co, Sb, Cu, Mo, Rb, Sr, Ti, V, Y, Zr and Ba) have been analysed in water and sediments. The observed Na anomalies are mainly associated with the iron mine processing plants. Enriched concentrations of iron and manganese were only observed in rudimentary gold exploitation areas (prospectors) and where supergenic alteration of the banded iron formation has occurred. Iron and manganese background values are in some places higher than the limits established by Brazilian legislation. Mn, As, Sb and Ba anomalies have been observed in sediments. Their main source is associated with the sulphide-rich mineral deposits in the spring of the Gualaxo do Norte River and not directly related to the present iron exploitation in the region. Background values are proposed for the studied region.     

白云鄂博群黑色岩系微量元素地球化学特征及地质意义

白云鄂博群位于华北地台北缘,是一套中—新元古代裂谷沉积的产物。尖山组和比鲁特组是其中主要的黑色岩系。对以上两组中的碳质页岩和板岩的Au、Ag、As、Ba、Co、Cu、Hg、Mn、Mo、Ni、P、Pb、V、Zn、U、B、Sb等微量元素和稀土元素进行了较为详细的研究。通过元素含量特征、w(V)/w(V+Ni)、w(Zn)-w(Co)-w(Ni)三元图、稀土配分曲线、w(Ce)/w(La)、Ce和Eu异常、w(La)/w(Yb)-w(Ce)/w(La)和w(La)/w(Yb)-w(ΣREE)图解等方法对其沉积环境特征进行了探讨。微量元素含量分析显示白云鄂博群黑色岩系以富亲铜元素和亲石元素、贫亲铁元素为特征,其中富集Hg、B、As、Mn、Sb、Au、Ag、Pb、P、Ba、U、Mo等多种元素;较高的w(B)反映了黑色岩系沉积于盐度较高的水体中;高的w(V)/w(V+Ni)、w(Ce)/w(La)反映了黑色岩系形成于缺氧的沉积环境中;黑色岩系中Hg、Sb、Ba的富集和w(Zn)-w(Co)-w(Ni)图解中投点大部分靠近热水沉积区域指示了黑色岩系中有热水沉积物的参与;稀土元素配分模式、Ce和Eu异常及w(La)/w(Yb)-w(ΣREE)和w(La)/w(Yb)-w(Ce)/w(La)图解投点在两岩组中的不同特点表明尖山组沉积物以陆源沉积为主,有少量热水沉积物参与;而比鲁特组中热水沉积组分所占比例较大,形成时海水较深。     

Fluxes to sediments underlying the Rainbow hydrothermal plume at 36°14′N on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge

A geochemical investigation has been conducted of a suite of four sediment cores collected from directly beneath the hydrothermal plume at distances of 2 to 25 km from the Rainbow hydrothermal field. As well as a large biogenic component (>80% CaCO₃) these sediments record clear enrichments of the elements Fe, Cu, Mn, V, P, and As from hydrothermal plume fallout but only minor detrital background material. Systematic variations in the abundances of “hydrothermal” elements are observed at increasing distance from the vent site, consistent with chemical evolution of the dispersing plume. Further, pronounced Ni and Cr enrichments at specific levels within each of the two cores collected from closest to the vent site are indicative of discrete episodes of additional input of ultrabasic material at these two near-field locations. Radiocarbon dating reveals mean Holocene accumulation rates for all four cores of 2.7 to 3.7 cm.kyr⁻¹, with surface mixed layers 7 to 10+ cm thick, from which a history of deposition from the Rainbow hydrothermal plume can be deduced. Deposition from the plume supplies elements to the underlying sediments that are either directly hydrothermally sourced (e.g., Fe, Mn, Cu) or scavenged from seawater via the hydrothermal plume (e.g., V, P, As). Holocene fluxes into to the cores’ surface mixed layers are presented which, typically, are an order of magnitude greater than “background” authigenic fluxes from the open North Atlantic. One core, collected closest to the vent site, indicates that both the concentration and flux of hydrothermally derived material increased significantly at some point between 8 and 12 ¹⁴C kyr ago; the preferred explanation is that this variation reflects the initiation/intensification of hydrothermal venting at the Rainbow hydrothermal field at this time—perhaps linked to some specific tectonic event in this fault-controlled hydrothermal setting.     

Role of sediment composition in trace metal distribution in lake sediments

Sediment cores were collected from 20 lakes from the Muskoka region of Ontario, Canada, to study vertical changes in trace metal concentrations with depth and the distribution of metals amongst humic material, amorphous and crystalline Fe and Mn oxides, insoluble organics/sulphides, and silicates. Based on their total concentrations, trace elements displayed different degrees of affinity for the organic fraction (represented by organic C) and the mineral fraction (represented by Al). Certain elements (Hg, As, Sb, Pb, Cd, and Zn) displayed a positive correlation with organic C, a negative correlation with Al, and enrichment in surface sediments (with enrichment factors ranging from 2 to 24). Detailed speciation studies revealed that these elements were associated mainly with humic material and to a lesser extent with oxides in surface sediments. Other elements (Al, Cr, Co, Fe, and Mn) displayed a negative correlation with organic C, a positive correlation with Al, and no consistent enrichment in their total concentration at the surface. The speciation study revealed that metals of the latter group were mainly associated with the silicate fraction in both surface and deep sediments. This study shows that relative affinities for organic and mineral fractions play an important role in the distribution of trace metals during burial and diagenesis, and hence in the shape of their vertical profiles.     

Environmental contamination of trace elements in the vicinity of Okpara coal mine, Enugu, Southeastern Nigeria

Water, sediment, and mine spoil samples were collected within the vicinity of the Okpara coal mine in Enugu, Southeastern Nigeria, and analyzed for trace elements using ICP-MS to assess the level of environmental contamination by these elements. The results obtained show that the mine spoils and sediments are relatively enriched in Fe, with mean values of 1,307.8(mg/kg) for mine spoils and 94.15% for sediments. As, Cd, Cr, Mn,Ni, Pb, and Zn in the sediments were found to be enriched relative to the mean values obtained from the study area, showing contamination by these elements. The mean values of Fe, Mn, Cu, and Cr in the mine spoils and mean values of Fe, Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, Cr, and Mn in sediments, respectively, are above the background values obtained from coal and shale in the study area, indicating enrichment with these elements. The water and sediments are moderately acidic, with mean pH values of 4.22?±?1.06 and 4.66?±?1.35, respectively. With the exception of Fe, Mn, and Ni, all other elements are within the Nigerian water quality standard and WHO limits for drinking water and other domestic purposes. The strong to moderate positive correlation between Fe and Cu (r?=?0.72), Fe and Zn (r?=?0.88), and Fe and As (r?=?0.60) at p?<?0.05 as obtained for the sediments depict the scavenging effect of Fe on these mobile elements. As also shows a strong positive correlation with Mn (r?=?≥ 0.70, p?<?0.05), indicating that Mn plays a major role in scavenging elements that are not co-precipitated with Fe. In water, the strong positive correlation observed between Cr and Cd (r?=?1.00), Cu and Ni (r?=?0.94), Pb and Cu (r?=?0.87) and Zn and Cu (r?=?0.99); Ni and Pb (r?=?0.83) and Zn and Ni (r?=?0.97); and between Pb and Zn (0.84) at p?<?0.05 may indicate similar element–water reaction control on the system due to similarities in chemical properties as well as a common source. Elevated levels of heavy metals in sediments relative to surface water probably imply that sorption and co-precipitation on Al and Fe oxides are more effective in the mobilization and attenuation of heavy metals in the mine area than acid-induced dissolution. The level of concentration of trace elements for the mine spoils will serve as baseline data for future reference in the study area.     

Evaluation of elemental enrichments in surface sediments off southwestern Taiwan

Surface slices of 20 sediment cores, off southwestern Taiwan, and bed sediment of River Kaoping were measured for major and trace elements (Al, As, Ca, Cd, Cl, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, P, Pb, S, Si, Ti, V, and Zn) to evaluate the geochemical processes responsible for their distribution, including elemental contamination. Major element/Al ratio and mean grain size indicate quartz-dominated, coarse grained sediments that likely derived from sedimentary rocks of Taiwan and upper crust of Yangtze Craton. Bi-plot of SiO₂ versus Fe₂O₃^T suggests the possible iron enrichment in sediments of slag dumping sites. Highest concentrations of Cr, Mn, P, S, and Zn found in sediments of dumping sites support this. Correlation analysis shows dual associations, detrital and organic carbon, for Cr, P, S, and V with the latter association typical for sediments in dumping sites. Normalization of trace elements to Al indicates high enrichment factors (>2) for As, Cd, Pb, and Zn, revealing contamination. Factor analysis extracted four geochemical associations with the principal factor accounted for 25.1% of the total variance and identifies the combined effects of dumped iron and steel slag-induced C–S–Fe relationship owing to authigenic precipitation of Fe–Mn oxyhydroxides and/or metal sulfides, and organic matter complexation of Fe, Mn, Ca, Cr, P, and V. Factors 2, 3, and 4 reveal detrital association (Ti, Al, Ni, Pb, Cu, and V), effect of sea salt (Cl, Mg, Na, and K) and anthropogenic component (As and Zn)-carbonate link, respectively, in the investigated sediments.     

Trace metals in sediments near offshore oil exploration and production sites in the Alaskan Arctic

Increased offshore development in the Alaskan Arctic has stimulated interest in assessing potential impacts to the environment before the onset of any adverse effects. Concentrations of trace metals in sediments are used in this paper to provide one sensitive indicator of anthropogenic inputs from offshore activity over the past several decades. Sediments in coastal waters of the western Beaufort Sea are patchy with respect to sediment granulometry, organic carbon content, and concentrations of trace metals. However, results for surface sediments and age-dated cores show that nearly all samples contain natural concentrations of Ag, Ba, Be, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Sb, Tl, V and Zn, with metal/Al ratios that have been constant for many decades. Metal concentrations for incoming river-suspended matter compare well with sediment metal values and, along with vertical distributions in sediments, show no discernible diagenetic impacts that distort the sedimentary record for metals, except for Mn, As and possibly Cd. Slightly elevated concentrations of Ba, Hg, Ag, Sb and Zn were observed in a total of eight instances or in only 0.7% of the 1,222 data points for metals in surface sediments.     

Heavy metal history from cores in Wellington Harbour,New Zealand

Analysis of ten heavy metals (Ag, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Zn) in six sediment cores from Wellington Harbour show both anthropogenic enrichments and diagenetic modifications. Absolute concentrations determined by two methods, x-ray fluorescence and acid leaching for bioavailability, are not comparable. However, vertical trends in concentrations of the cored sediment are comparable. To assess levels of anthropogenic pollution, enrichment factors (enriched concentrations in upper core divided by background levels in lower core) are preferred over index of accumulation (I _geo) values because preindustrial or background levels of heavy metals are well constrained. The ten metals are placed into three groups: (1) Cu, Pb, and Zn, which show the most anthropogenic enrichment; (2) As, Cd, Cr, Ni, and Sb, which are often associated with anthropogenic pollution but show only minor enrichment; and (3) Fe and Mn, which are diagenetically enriched. Assuming harbor waters are well mixed, anthropogenic enrichments of Cu, Pb, and Zn, are time correlative, but the degree of enrichment depends on the method of analysis and core location. Levels of As, Cd, Pb, and Zn show small variations in preindustrial sediments that are not related to changes in grain size and probably result from changes in the oxidation-reduction potential of the sediments and salinity of the pore waters.     

Distribution of arsenic and other minor trace elements in the groundwater of Ischia Island (southern Italy)

The island of Ischia belongs to the active volcanic area of Naples. It is formed from Quaternary volcanic rocks and exhibits intense hydrothermal activity, which is manifested through numerous springs, fumaroles and sporadic geysers. The content of minor and trace elements in groundwater has been analyzed, including some elements that are considered toxic for humans. Mean concentrations of As, B, Fe, Mn, Sb, and Se in samples from 43 aquifer points exceed the WHO recommended values and the limits set by European and Italian legislation (98/83/CE and DM 471, respectively). In general, the spatial distribution of the elements follows a common pattern: it is governed by a marked structural control, which favors hydrochemical processes that liberate the elements into the water.     

Review of water and soil contamination in and around Salihli geothermal field (Manisa,Turkey)

The town of Salihli is situated in Gediz Graben in the western Anatolia. This region is important in terms of industry, mining, geothermal energy, water sources, and agricultural production. Geothermal flow and anthropogenic activities in Salihli threaten the surrounding environment due to the contamination of cold groundwater, surface water, and soil. The goal of the present study is to determine the environmental effects of the geothermal and anthropogenic activities in Salihli on soil, stream sediments, and water. Stream sediments and farm soil have been contaminated by substances derived from geothermal and industrial effluents. To this end, the quality review of the water was completed and the heavy metal levels in stream sediment samples were measured to determine the extent of contamination. The elements As, B, Br, Fe, and Ni are the major contaminants present in surface water and groundwater in the study area. The concentrations of these elements excess tolerance limits of international water standards. Gibbsite, K-mica, kaolinite, sepiolite, halite, sulfur, willemite, and Pb(OH)₂ might be precipitated as scales at low temperatures on the soil; this could be interpreted as a resultant from soil contamination. The concentrations of 17 elements (As, Ba, B, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Li, Mo, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sr, and Zn) were measured in samples from stream sediments and surface soils. In the study area, especially geothermal and anthropogenic activities give rise to environmental pollution.     

Geochemistry of the accumulation of metals in bottom sediments at the Razdol’naya River-Amur Bay marginal filter: I. Pelite fraction

The composition of clay minerals in the subcolloid fraction from the uppermost layer of bottom sediments in the northern part of Amur Bay was determined by X-ray powder diffraction analysis, and the enrichment of 33 elements in the subcolloid and pelite fractions of the surface deposits from a number of sites at the marginal filter of the Razdol’naya River was studied by ICP-MS.Fe, U, and chalcophile elements are contained in the highest concentrations in sediments from all sampling sites within the filter. The bottom sediments are not enriched in trace, alkali, and alkali-earth elements. The maximum concentrations of chemical elements were found in deposits from the brackish part of the marginal filter, perhaps, because of the formation of Fe and Mn (Al) hydroxides. Bottom sediment at the boundary between the brackish and marine parts of the filter contain the lowest concentrations of the examined elements.     

Spatial geochemical variation of major and trace elements in the marine sediments of Mumbai Harbor Bay

The resulting concentration data sets of major (Na, K, Mg, Ca and Fe) and trace elements (Cu, Ni, Co and Mn) in bed and suspended sediments were used to evaluate the enrichment factor for anthropogenic influences and principal component analysis for identifying the origin of source contributions in the studied area. Normalization of metals to Fe indicated that high enrichment factors in the bed sediment were in the order of Co > Cu > Na > Ca > Ni except Mg, K and Mn while for suspended sediments, only Co has a high enrichment factor. High enrichment of Co and Cu reflected the contamination of sediments from anthropogenic sources. The high influence of Na and Ca in sediments may be caused for seawater salinization factor. A significant positive correlation among enrichment factors of various elements of interest suggests a common origin/identical behavior during transport in the sediment system.     

Suboxic trace metal geochemistry in the Eastern Tropical North Pacific

We analyzed Al, Ti, Fe, Mn, Cu, Ba, Cd, U, Mo, V, and Re in water column, settling particulate, and sediment (0 to 22 cm) samples from the intense oxygen minimum zone (OMZ) of the eastern tropical North Pacific near Mazatlán, Mexico. The goal was to determine how the geochemistry of these elements was influenced by suboxic water column conditions and whether the sediments have a unique “suboxic” geochemical signature.The water column was characterized by a Mn maximum, reaching ∼8 nmol kg⁻¹ at 400 m. Concentrations of Cu, Ba, Cd, Mo, Re, U, and V were unaffected by the low O₂ conditions and were comparable to those of the open ocean. Sinking particles were composed of lithogenic particles of detrital origin and nonlithogenic particles of biogenic origin. Al, Ti, and Fe were mostly (at least 79%) lithogenic. About 75% of the Mn was nonlithogenic. Significant amounts (at least 58%) of Cu, Ba, Cd, and Mo were nonlithogenic.Sediment geochemistry varied across the continental shelf and slope. Cadmium, U, and Re have prominent maxima centered at 310 m, with 12.3 ppm, 10.9 ppm, and 68.3 ppb, respectively, at the core top. High values of Mo (averaging 6.8 ppm) and V (averaging 90 ppm) are seen in OMZ surface sediment. Additional down-core enrichment occurs for all redox-sensitive elements in the top 10 cm. For U, Mo, V, and Re, surface sediments are a poor indicator of metal enrichment. Comparison of the nonlithogenic composition of sediments with sinking particles suggests that direct input of plankton material enriched in metals makes a significant contribution to the total composition, especially for Cd, U, and Mo.We evaluated Re/Mo and Cd/U ratios as tracers for redox environments. Rhenium and Mo concentrations and Re/Mo ratios do not lead to consistent conclusions. Concurrent enrichments of Re and Mo are an indicator of an anoxic depositional environment. In contrast, high Re/Mo ratios are an indicator of suboxic conditions. Cadmium is enriched in surface sediments, while U has considerable down-core enrichment. The concentrations of Cd and U and the Cd/U ratio do not follow patterns predicted from thermodynamics. Though the water column is suboxic, these four redox-sensitive elements indicate that the sediments are anoxic. The implication for paleostudies is that a trace metal sediment signature that indicates anoxic conditions is not necessarily attributable to an anoxic water column.     

Impact of sewage and mining activities on distribution of heavy metals in the water-soil-vegetation system

Several samples of groundwater and soils and plants have been collected from Sohar (Batina region, NE Oman), which is affected by various activities such as mining, agriculture, and sewage. To characterize quality of groundwater, As and Cu concentrations have been investigated in waters collected from different wells. Comparison of data with local and international standard values revealed that groundwater in Sohar region is characterized by lower concentrations in Cu and As compared with standards. In soils collected from the same area, concentrations of heavy metals have been measured in different fractions in order to investigate the mobility of such elements and risk of vulnerability in this area. A sequential extraction procedure has been applied to surface sediments to determine the partitioning of Zn, Cu, Co, Mn, Fe, Pb, Cr, Cd and Ni among (1) exchangeable and acid-soluble phases, (2) Fe–Mn oxides, (3) organic matter and sulphides and (4) resistant phases. The results showed that the mobile fraction in the sewage area accounts only for 10 % of the total concentration in sediments while in the Cu mining area, the contribution of the mobile fraction may exceed 10 %, especially for Pb, Mn, Cd, Cu and Co. Investigation of concentrations in As and Cu in plants collected from mining and sewage areas revealed an important accumulation of these elements in leaves and may explain enrichment of As in shallow groundwater relative to deep groundwater. This investigation also showed that Cu is more available in sewage area than in mining zone, as opposed to As.     

Managanese and iron in the White Sea: Sedimentation and diagenesis

Iron and manganese in bottom sediments studied along the sublatitudinal transect from Kandalaksha to Arkhangelsk are characterized by various contents and forms depending on sedimentation environments, grain size of sediments, and diagenetic processes. The latter include redistribution of reactive forms leading to enrichment in Fe and Mn of the surface sediments, formation of films, incrustations, and ferromanganese nodules. Variations in the total Fe content (2–8%) are accompanied by changes in the concentration of its reactive forms (acid extraction) and the concentration of dissolved Fe in the interstitial water (1–14 μM). Variations in the Mn content in sediments (0.03–3.7%) and the interstitial water (up to 500 μM) correspond to a high diagenetic mobility of this element. Changes in the valence of chemical elements results in the redox stratification of sediment strata with maximum concentrations of Fe, Mn, and sulfides. Organic matter of sediments with a considerable terrestrial constituent is oxidized by bottom water oxygen mainly at the sediment surface or in anaerobic conditions within the sediment strata. The role of inorganic components in organic matter oxidation changes from surface sediments, where manganese oxyhydroxide dominates among oxidants, to deeper layers, where sulfate of interstitial water serves as the main oxidant. Differences in river runoff and hydrodynamics are responsible for geochemical asymmetry of the transect. The deep Kandalaksha Bay serves as a sediment trap for manganese (Mn content in sediments varies within 0.5–0.7%), whereas the sedimentary environment in the Dvina Bay promotes its removal from sediments (Mn 0.05%).