Accumulation features of trace elements in mass-stranded harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) in the North Sea coast in 2002: the body distribution and association with growth and nutrition status

Body distribution and growth- and nutritional status-dependent accumulation of 21 trace elements were investigated in harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) stranded in the North Sea coast in 2002. Higher concentrations and burdens of Mn, Se, Mo, Ag, Sn, Hg, and Bi in the liver, Cd in the kidney, As in the blubber, and Co, Sr, and Ba in the bone were observed. Significant positive correlations of hepatic Se, Mo, Ag, Cd, Sn, Hg, Tl, and Bi with standard body length were found, while significant negative relationships were detected for Mn, As, Rb, Sr, and Sb in the liver. Concentrations of Co, Se, Sr, Sn, Hg, and Bi in the liver, V, Sr, Ag, Sn, and Hg in the kidney, V, Mn, Co, Rb, Sr, Sn, Ba, and Pb in the blubber increased with decreasing blubber thickness of harbor seals, indicating enrichment of these elements in the target tissue by emaciation.     

Trace and rare earth element geochemistry of the black and grey shales of the Calabar Flank,Southeastern Nigeria: constraints on the depositional environment and the degree of metal enrichment

This study focuses on the trace and rare earth elements(REE) geochemistry of the Nkporo and Ekenkpon Shales of the Calabar Flank.The main aim is to infer their depositional environment and the degree of their metal enrichment.The shale samples were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.The results indicated that the mean concentrations of K,Na,and Fe in Nkporo and Ekenkpon Shales are 1.45,0.4,and 4.17 wt%,and 1.11,0.44,and 5.42 wt%;respectively.The Nkporo Shale is enriched with the following trace elements;PMn Sr Ba Zn Ce Rb Zr VCr Ni and depleted in the following trace elements;Ta GeSb Bi Cd Ag Te In Hg.While the Ekenkpon Shale is enriched with the following trace elements;P Mn Ba Sr VCe Zr Rb Cr Zn Ni and depleted in;Sb Ge Bi Ag Ce Te InHg.The concentration of redox-sensitive elements such as V,Ni,Mo,U,Cu,Cr,Re,Cd,Sb,Ti,Mn,and their ratio V/Mo and U/Mo in the black and grey shale samples show different patterns.The REE obtained from the Nkporo and Ekenkpon Shales were PAAS normalized.The Nkporo Shale showed a slightly flat light rare-earth element(LREE),middle rare-earth element(MREE),and heavy rare earth element(HREE) pattern enrichment.Ce/Ce*ranges from 0.95 to 1.09 in Nkporo Shale and 0.67 to 1.40 in Ekenkpon Shale.The Ekenkpon Shale showed a slight LREE,MREE enrichment,and depleted HREE patterns.The Mn contents and U/Mo ratio in Nkporo and Ekenkpon Shales suggests a poor oxygen transitional environment.The V/Mo and V/(V+Ni) ratios indicated that the Nkporo shales were deposited in an anoxic to suboxic conditions and Ekenkpon shales were also deposited under an anoxic to suboxic conditions.The V/Ni ratio indicated that the organic matter in the Nkporo shale is terrigenous while that of the Ekenkpon shales are both terrigenous and marine in origin.     

Interelement relationships and age-related variation of trace element concentrations in liver of striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) from Japanese coastal waters

Concentrations of 19 trace elements (V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, Se, Rb, Sr, Mo, Ag, Cd, Sb, Cs, Ba, Tl, Hg, and Pb) were determined in the liver of the striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) collected around Japan during 1977-1982 to examine the sex difference, age dependence, and interrelationships among trace elements. Tissue distribution of trace elements was also investigated in one adult and one fetus specimens. Generally, concentrations of Se, Sr, Ag, Cd, Cs, Ba, Hg, and Pb were higher in the tissues of adult than those of fetus, whereas the opposite trend was observed for Cr and Tl. There were no significant sex differences in the trace element levels in the liver. Significant positive correlations between age (0-26.5 years) and hepatic concentrations were found for Ag, Se, Hg, V, Fe, Pb, and Sr, suggesting their age-dependent accumulation in the liver. In contrast, hepatic concentrations of Mn and Zn decreased with age. Significant positive relationships were observed between Se, and Hg, Ag, V, Fe, and Sr in the liver.     

Concentrations of trace elements in marine fish and its risk assessment in Malaysia

Concentrations of trace elements (V, Cr, Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, Ga, Se, Rb, Sr, Mo, Ag, Cd, Sn, Sb, Cs, Ba, Hg, Tl, Pb and Bi) were determined in muscle and liver of 12 species of marine fish collected from coastal areas in Malaysia. Levels of V, Cr, Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, Ga, Sr, Mo, Ag, Cd, Sn, Ba and Pb in liver were higher than those in muscle, whereas Rb and Cs concentrations showed the opposite trend. Positive correlations between concentrations in liver and muscle were observed for all the trace elements except Cu and Sn. Copper, Zn, Se, Ag, Cd, Cs and Hg concentrations in bigeye scads from the east coast of the Peninsular Malaysia were higher than those from the west, whereas V showed the opposite trend. The high concentration of V in the west coast might indicate oil contamination in the Strait of Malacca. To evaluate the health risk to Malaysian population through consumption of fish, intake rates of trace elements were estimated on the basis of the concentrations of trace elements in muscle of fish and daily fish consumption. Some specimens of the marine fish had Hg levels higher than the guideline value by US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indicating that consumption of these fish at the present rate may be hazardous to Malaysian people. To our knowledge, this is the first study on multielemental accumulation in marine fish from the Malaysian coast.     

Interelement relationships and age-related variation of trace element concentrations in liver of striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) from Japanese coastal waters

Concentrations of 19 trace elements (V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, Se, Rb, Sr, Mo, Ag, Cd, Sb, Cs, Ba, Tl, Hg, and Pb) were determined in the liver of the striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) collected around Japan during 1977–1982 to examine the sex difference, age dependence, and interrelationships among trace elements. Tissue distribution of trace elements was also investigated in one adult and one fetus specimens. Generally, concentrations of Se, Sr, Ag, Cd, Cs, Ba, Hg, and Pb were higher in the tissues of adult than those of fetus, whereas the opposite trend was observed for Cr and Tl. There were no significant sex differences in the trace element levels in the liver. Significant positive correlations between age (0–26.5 years) and hepatic concentrations were found for Ag, Se, Hg, V, Fe, Pb, and Sr, suggesting their age-dependent accumulation in the liver. In contrast, hepatic concentrations of Mn and Zn decreased with age. Significant positive relationships were observed between Se, and Hg, Ag, V, Fe, and Sr in the liver.     

Interelement relationships and age-related variation of trace element concentrations in liver of striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) from Japanese coastal waters

Concentrations of 19 trace elements (V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, Se, Rb, Sr, Mo, Ag, Cd, Sb, Cs, Ba, Tl, Hg, and Pb) were determined in the liver of the striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) collected around Japan during 1977–1982 to examine the sex difference, age dependence, and interrelationships among trace elements. Tissue distribution of trace elements was also investigated in one adult and one fetus specimens. Generally, concentrations of Se, Sr, Ag, Cd, Cs, Ba, Hg, and Pb were higher in the tissues of adult than those of fetus, whereas the opposite trend was observed for Cr and Tl. There were no significant sex differences in the trace element levels in the liver. Significant positive correlations between age (0–26.5 years) and hepatic concentrations were found for Ag, Se, Hg, V, Fe, Pb, and Sr, suggesting their age-dependent accumulation in the liver. In contrast, hepatic concentrations of Mn and Zn decreased with age. Significant positive relationships were observed between Se, and Hg, Ag, V, Fe, and Sr in the liver.     

Non-destructive monitoring of trace element levels in short-tailed albatrosses (Phoebastria albatrus) and black-footed albatrosses (Phoebastria nigripes) from Torishima Island, Japan using eggs and blood

Concentrations of 18 trace elements (V, Cr, Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, Se, Rb, Sr, Mo, Ag, Cd, Sb, Cs, Ba, Hg, Tl and Pb) were determined in abandoned eggs of short-tailed albatrosses and abandoned eggs and blood of black-footed albatrosses from Torishima Island, Japan in 2002. Mercury concentration was highest among the toxic elements in egg content of both the two species. In some egg contents of black-footed albatrosses, Hg concentrations were higher than the threshold level that may cause decreased hatchability and aberrant nesting behavior in some avian species. Concentrations of Cd in egg content and Ba in egg content and shell increased with an increase in egg breadth/length ratio, whereas Hg in egg content showed an opposite trend in black-footed albatrosses. Since egg breadth/length ratio is known to increase with the age of mother bird, this result may imply that concentrations of these elements in eggs vary with age of mother bird. In blood of black-footed albatross chicks, concentration of Hg was highest among the toxic elements and the Hg concentration showed an increase in the later growth stages. In contrast, concentration of Sr in blood decreased with growth stage. Since the behaviour of Sr is similar to that of Ca in animals, it is conceivable that Sr was used along with Ca for the formation of bone.     

Non-destructive monitoring of trace element levels in short-tailed albatrosses (Phoebastria albatrus) and black-footed albatrosses (Phoebastria nigripes) from Torishima Island, Japan using eggs and blood

Concentrations of 18 trace elements (V, Cr, Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, Se, Rb, Sr, Mo, Ag, Cd, Sb, Cs, Ba, Hg, Tl and Pb) were determined in abandoned eggs of short-tailed albatrosses and abandoned eggs and blood of black-footed albatrosses from Torishima Island, Japan in 2002. Mercury concentration was highest among the toxic elements in egg content of both the two species. In some egg contents of black-footed albatrosses, Hg concentrations were higher than the threshold level that may cause decreased hatchability and aberrant nesting behavior in some avian species. Concentrations of Cd in egg content and Ba in egg content and shell increased with an increase in egg breadth/length ratio, whereas Hg in egg content showed an opposite trend in black-footed albatrosses. Since egg breadth/length ratio is known to increase with the age of mother bird, this result may imply that concentrations of these elements in eggs vary with age of mother bird. In blood of black-footed albatross chicks, concentration of Hg was highest among the toxic elements and the Hg concentration showed an increase in the later growth stages. In contrast, concentration of Sr in blood decreased with growth stage. Since the behaviour of Sr is similar to that of Ca in animals, it is conceivable that Sr was used along with Ca for the formation of bone.     

结合主成分分析法(PCA)和正定矩阵因子分解法(PMF)的鄱阳湖丰水期表层沉积物重金属源解析

为识别表层沉积物重金属的来源以及量化源贡献,选取鄱阳湖丰水期表层沉积物为研究对象,测定14种重金属(V、Cr、Co、Ni、Cu、Zn、Sr、Mo、Cd、Sb、W、Pb、Hg和As)的含量,分析其污染及空间分布特征,并利用主成分分析法(PCA)和正定矩阵因子分解法(PMF)对沉积物重金属进行源解析.结果表明:除V和Cr外,Cd、Mo、Hg、Cu、Pb、Zn、W、Sr、As、Ni、Co和Sb的平均含量分别为江西省土壤背景值的5.7、2.2、1.9、1.8、1.5、1.5、1.4、1.3、1.3、1.2、1.0和1.0倍; Cd、Hg、Cu、Mo、Pb、Sr和Zn超出江西省土壤背景值的比例相对较高,分别为100%、100%、100%、100%、97%、97%和93%,所有沉积物样品中Cd含量超过农用地土壤污染风险筛选值的比例为51%; V、Cr、Co、Ni、Cu、Zn、Sr、Mo、Sb、W、Pb、Hg和As含量呈未污染至弱污染水平,而Cd含量属于中等污染水平,接近于重污染水平.总体而言,Cd的污染相对较严重.重金属的分布具有显著的区域特征,其中Cr、Cu、Zn、Sr、Pb、Hg和As的空间分布十分相似,表现为在赣江、抚河、信江和饶河入湖口附近区域含量较高,而Co、Ni、Mo和Sb明显在湖区南部、东北部和修水入湖附近这3个区域聚集,Cd和W的空间变异性相对较大,V的含量分布相对较均匀.PCA和PMF解析结果都表明鄱阳湖丰水期表层沉积物重金属受4种来源的共同影响,其中,矿业和工业活动的影响最大,相对贡献率为38%,其次是尾矿和废渣,相对贡献率为28%,再是农业活动,相对贡献率为19%,最后是自然来源的相对贡献率为14%.     

鄱阳湖流域赣江水系溶解态金属元素空间分布特征及污染来源

于2015年1月和7月在赣江干流和主要支流37个采样点共采集74个水样,分析赣江水系15种溶解态金属元素(Be、Al、V、Mn、Fe、Co、Ni、Cu、As、Mo、Cd、Sb、Tl、Pb、U)的空间分布特征和污染来源的贡献率.结果表明:多数水样的溶解态金属元素浓度符合水质标准,主要的超标元素是Fe,样品超标率为21.60%,其次为As(8.10%)、Mn(4.05%)、Tl(4.05%)和Al(1.35%).Be、Al、V、Fe、Co、Ni、Cu、U浓度在枯水期显著高于丰水期,其他元素差异不显著.依据溶解态金属元素的空间分布特征,赣江流域可分为3个区域:湘水、章水和赣江赣州市段(C1),桃江、袁水和锦江(C2),其他区域(C3);溶解态金属元素水平大小排序为C1C2C3,其中Be、Al、Cu、Mo、Sb、As浓度在C1最高,V、Mn、Fe、Ni、Cd浓度在C2最高.采矿废水、矿渣和农田土壤降雨淋滤、钢铁冶炼废水是赣江溶解金属元素的主要来源;Be、Al、Cu、Pb、U的污染源超过40%来自采矿废水,Cu、As、Mo、Cd的污染源超过35%来自矿渣和农田土壤降雨淋滤,V、Mn、Co、Ni的污染源超过41%来自钢铁冶炼废水.     

Concentrations of trace elements in muscle of sturgeons in the Caspian Sea

Concentrations of 21 trace elements were determined in muscle of beluga (Huso huso), Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus), Russian sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii), ship sturgeon (Acipenser nudiventris) and stellate sturgeon (Acipenser stellatus) collected from coastal regions of Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, surrounding the Caspian Sea during 2000-2001. Concentrations of Mn, Co, Cu, Mo, Sn, Hg, Pb and Bi in the muscle were apparently different among the five species of sturgeons. Especially, beluga showed the highest concentrations of Hg, Pb and Mn in all the five species. In addition, more than half of the individuals of beluga exceeded the guideline level (0.3 microg/g wet wt.) of Hg for food in UK. However, V, Cr, Zn, Ga, Rb, Sr and Ba concentrations were similar among five sturgeons. Growth-dependent increase in Hg in beluga, Cu in Persian sturgeon, and Zn in Russian sturgeon were observed, whereas V, Mn, Co, Cu, Ga, Sr, Mo, Sn, Hg and Bi concentrations in Persian sturgeon, Pb in ship sturgeon, and Cr, Mn, and Rb in stellate sturgeon were negatively correlated with body length. All species of sturgeon in Azerbaijan showed the highest concentration of Sr and the lowest concentration of Rb, while the five sturgeons from Iran showed opposite trends. Concentration of V, which is present in oil, in sturgeons in the Caspian Sea was considerably lower than that of fish from Kuwait, but was comparable to that of Cambodia and the Gulf and Gulf of Oman. To our knowledge, this study provides the first extensive data on multielemental accumulation in sturgeons of the Caspian Sea.     

Concentration and subcellular distribution of trace elements in liver of small cetaceans incidentally caught along the Brazilian coast

Concentrations of trace elements (V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, Ga, As, Se, Rb, Sr, Mo, Ag, Cd, Sb, Cs, Ba, T-Hg, Org-Hg, Tl and Pb) were determined in liver samples of estuarine dolphin (Sotalia guianensis; n = 20), Franciscana dolphin (Pontoporia blainvillei; n = 23), Atlantic spotted dolphin (Stenella frontalis; n = 2), common dolphin (Delphinus capensis; n = 1) and striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba; n = 1) incidentally caught along the coast of Sao Paulo State and Parana State, Brazil, from 1997 to 1999. The hepatic concentrations of trace elements in the Brazilian cetaceans were comparable to the data available in literature on marine mammals from Northern Hemisphere. Concentrations of V, Se, Mo, Cd, T-Hg and Org-Hg increased with increasing age in liver of both estuarine and Franciscana dolphins. Very high concentrations of Cu (range, 262-1970 microg/g dry wt.) and Zn (range, 242-369 microg/g dry wt.) were observed in liver of sucklings of estuarine dolphin. Hepatic concentrations of V, Se, T-Hg, Org-Hg and Pb were significantly higher in estuarine dolphin, whereas Franciscana dolphin showed higher concentrations of Mn, Co, As and Rb. Ratio of Org-Hg to T-Hg in liver was significantly higher in Franciscana dolphin than estuarine dolphin, suggesting that demethylation ability of methyl Hg might be lower in liver of Franciscana than estuarine dolphins. High hepatic concentrations of Ag were found in some specimens of Franciscana dolphin (maximum, 20 microg/g dry wt.), and 17% of Franciscana showed higher concentrations of Ag than Hg. These samples with high Ag concentration also exhibited elevated hepatic Se concentration, implying that Ag might be detoxified by Se in the liver. Higher correlation coefficient between (Hg+0.5 Ag) and Se than between Hg and Se and the large distribution of Ag in non-soluble fraction in nuclear and mitochondrial fraction of the liver also suggests that Ag might be detoxified by Se via formation of Ag2Se in the liver of Franciscana dolphin.     

Experimental simulation of chemistry transformation of anaerobic water during aeration

Experiments were carried out to simulate the transformations of anaerobic freshwater chemistry at aeration. Quantitative characteristics of the passage from dissolved into suspended state in the course of aeration were obtained for Fe, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Ag, Rb, Cs, Sr, Ba, Be, Al, Ga, Cr, Ti, Zr, U, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, B, V, Ge, As, Mo, and W. The decrease in the concentration of dissolved forms was found to be maximal for Fe and Mn, reaching 0.03 and 0.2 mg/L, respectively; these values correspond to the solubility of newly-precipitated oxihydrates of those elements. Among other elements, a high degree of removal is typical of elements-hydrolysates (Cr, Zr, Al, Ga, Be, Ti, and the majority of rare-earth elements), some heavy metals (Zn, Ag, Cd, and Co), and W.     

Extended Sediment Quality Rating for Trace Elements in Urban Waters – Case Study Klinke,Germany

The European Water Framework Directive (WFD) commits European Union member states to achieving good ecological status in all water bodies by 2015. For sediments the definition of good chemical status is based on numerical sediment quality guidelines. The aqua regia fraction is thus used for the evaluation of heavy metal concentrations in sediments. The chemical constituents in sediments responsible for mobility and toxicity are not considered generally. This article presents the combining of the sequential BCR procedure, for determining the chemical species of relevant elements, with the geoaccumulation index principle a numerical classification method for sediment quality guidelines. Using the BCR method it can be demonstrated that changes in element speciation can lead to more highly mobile species of trace elements which may affect the hazardous potential of sediments despite the “good chemical status” classification for aqua regia digestions. The Klinke stream is an urban surface water body located in Magdeburg, the state capital of Saxony‐Anhalt, Germany. Using this stream as an example it is shown that this additional information helps to describe the dynamics and discharge of the trace elements Al, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Rb, Sr, Mo, Pd, Cd, Sb, Ba, Pb, Bi, and U into the Elbe River from urban water bodies.     

Geochemical baselines of major, minor and trace elements in the tropical sediments of the Terengganu River basin, Malaysia

The geochemical baselines and distribution of 31 elements (Al, Fe, K, Na, Mg, Ca, Mn, Ba, Cr, Zr, Ni, Sr, Zn, Y, Li, Cu, Mo, Nb, Th, Co, Ga, W, Ta, Be, Ti, Ge, Se, Bi, Te, Sc and Re) and physico-chemical parameters of the tropical surface sediments of the Terengganu River basin, Malaysia, are reported. Sediments are sandy loam to sand in texture consisting of mostly quartz, low organic matter content (average-2.68%), low CEC (average-2.02 cmol(+)/kg) and mildly acidic pH1:5 (average-5.91). Concentrations of Mn, Fe, Ba, Cr, Ni, Cu, Mo and Se were measured to be above the environmental sediment quality criteria at various locations. Lake sediments registered significantly higher Al, Fe, Ti, Mg, Ca, Mn, Te and Sc concentrations as compared to the river sediments. Most of the elements investigated showed an association with silt size fraction (2-63 μm). Among the investigated metals, Mo and Fe concentrations showed an increasing (5-fold) and decreasing (3-fold) trend, respectively, along the river path from the upstream to the downstream depending on the stream pH-redox conditions. The enrichment factor values (EF 5) of Cr, Ni, Mo and Se indicated enrichment from anthropogenic activities. Alkali and alkali earth metals registered a significant depletion (EF values 0.7) as compared to the Earth's crust. Principal component analysis of the two main components (PC1, 87.4% and PC2, 8.7%) revealed a well-defined group of estuary sediments. Lake and river sediment sampling locations did not form defined groups revealing heterogeneity in the origin of geologic material and the in-stream geochemical processes. However, Cr, Ni, Mo and Se formed a separate group with elevated concentrations (e.g. Cr1,000 mg/kg) indicating contamination of sediments. This work presents the geochemical baselines of the tropical sediments as industrial development and urbanization along the north east coast of Peninsular Malaysia are advancing rapidly.     

Elements in size-fractionated bottom sediments of the Elbe River in its Czech part

The concentrations of 45 elements, and the content of organic substances, amorphous inorganic substances and minerals were determined in 26 samples of Elbe River bottom sediments to determine the correlation between the element composition and the grain size in the ￡ \le 4, 4--8, 8--16, 16--32, 32--63 7m and bulk samples ￡ \le 63 7m fractions. The purpose of this study was to obtain information about the role of particle size and their mineral composition as a control of element concentrations in sediments, the potential remobilization of elements under changing environmental conditions, and the chemical speciation of the large excess concentrations of elements in this system.¶About 22--56% of the estimated element yield was associated with sediments with a grain size of less than 4 7m and 82--97% of the element yield was found in the fraction smaller than 32 7m. Sequential extraction carried out for 20 potentially reactive elements in the ￡ \le 63 7m bulk samples and the ￡ \le 4 7m fraction showed the increased importance of exchangeable ions in the order Mn = Ni < Mg < Sr < Cu < Zn < Ca < K < Cd < Na < Mo, reducible fractions Zn < Sr < Mo < Co < Cu < Ni < Pb < Mn < Cr < Be < V = Fe < As < Ag, oxidizable chemical phases As = Ca < Cd < K < Sr < Fe = Mn < Zn = Mg < Mo < Co = Ag < Pb < Li < Cu = V < Ni < Cr = Na < Be with small concentrations from lithogenic phases Mn < As < Pb < Sr < Zn = Cu = Na < Be < V < Ni < Cr < Fe < K < Mg < Li. The major accumulative phases were identified for the individual elements.     

Epiphyton Geochemistry in the Ivankovo Reservoir

Epiphyton chemistry was studied in the Ivankovo Reservoir; a large number of micro- and macroelements (Ag, Al, As, Ba, Ca, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, La, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Nd, Ni, P, Pb, S, Sc, Sr, Ti, V, Y, Yb, Zn, W) were determined with the use of up-to-date analytical methods. Comparative characteristics of the geochemistry of macrophyte epiphyton of different ecological groups is given for the Ivankovo Reservoir. The potential of epiphyton as a biogeochemical indicator of anthropogenic impact on the water body is examined.     

Regularities in the spatial distribution of some macro-and microelements in the Caspian Sea water

The distribution of some microelements (Sr, Si, Ba, Mo, Rb, and Mn) in the surface and deep-sea waters in various parts of the Caspian Sea is considered in comparison with the distribution of salt-forming macroelements. The observed mean concentrations of microelements and their variations over the sea area and with depth indicate to the presence of additional, other than Volga runoff, sources supplying Sr, Ba, U, Rb, and Mn to the Caspian Sea.     

Studying precipitation chemistry by multivariate analysis based on data of rural stations in Russian Barents Region

Multivariate analysis methods have been applied to studying variations in the concentrations of Ag, Al, As, B, Ba, Br, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Rb, S, Sb, Si, Sn, Sr, Th, Tl, U, V, Zn, Cl^?, NO ₃ ^? , SO ₄ ^2? as components of precipitation at 11 rural stations under project “Ecogeochemistry of Barents Region”. Hierarchic factor analysis revealed the structure and space-time distribution of seven first-order factors and two second-order factors. The combinations of ingredients that determine the composition of first-order factors characterize the sources of precipitation composition, which have been found to be specific and volatile products of fuel oil and coal combustion, marine and earth aerosols, and biogenic processes. Second-order factors showed two independent sets of components, which are typical of the chemistry of precipitation at the examined stations in winter and summer. Step-by-step discriminant and cluster analysis made it possible to classify the observational stations by precipitation chemistry and demonstrate the extent of difference between them.     

Accumulation of Heavy Metals by Amur Bay Sediments (the Sea of Japan) under the Effect of Biochemical Factors

Water Resources - The average concentrations of elements Fe, Mn, Zn, Pb, Cu, Cr, V, Co, Cd, Ni, As, and Mo in the subcolloidal fraction of bottom sediments were determined in the northern and...