Geochemical evaluation of the Lagos lagoon sediments

Lagos lagoon is underlain by the Tertiary to recent coastal plain sands of the Dahomey Basin and receives a huge volume of sediments from surface runoffs, canals, rivers and other drainage networks. The dumping of domestic and industrial wastes into these drainage channels open up the possibility of deleterious materials, which carry with them toxic metallic ions, being discharged as wastes into the channels, these eventually find their ways into the lagoon. Sediments being sinks for metals, the identification and quantitative evaluation of metallic ions in the Lagos lagoon sediments is desirable. This study aimed at ascertaining the concentrations of these metallic ions in the sediments. One hundred samples of sediment were systematically obtained along the banks, drainage channels （waste discharge points）, shelves and the center of the lagoon. These samples were dried, disaggregated and sieved for grain size （granulometric） analysis to evaluate the transport and depositional mechanism; X-ray diffraction and heavy mineral separation were used to determine the mineralogy. The 〈75 μm sieved portions of the samples were digested using aqua regia at 96℃ for two hours. The resulting clear solutions were analyzed for major oxides and trace metals using the Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry （ICP-OES）. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed quartz as the preponderant mineral. The geochemical result revealed that SiO2 ranges from 78.57%-98.88%; TiO2, 0.01%-0.32%; A1203, 0.15%-6.32%; Fe2O3, 0.44%-11.62%; K2O, 0.10%-9.60%; CaO, 0.04%-5.50%; MgO, 0.04%-0.98% and P2O5, 0.01%-0.30%, The major oxide compositions indicate the dominance of sand particles over clay in the sediments.     

Influence of humic acid on bioavailability of heavy metals in sediments

The mimetic ocean environment and chemical method were used to research the bioavailability effect of humic acid on five heavy metals in sediment, including Cd, Cu, Zn, Pb and Ni. The sediment was separated into four containers with artificial seawater, and each of them had different concentrations of humic acid. The values of concentrations covered the whole range found in natural sediment （0.1%-10%）. According to the 48 hours LC50 of clam and distribution coefficient, metals were added in artificial seawater, and their speciation was determined at first and then after two days＇ incubation. It was found the bioavailability of heavy metals was reduced in the presence of humic acid. The obvious negative effect on Zn was observed, but the influence on Cd was not remarkable. In addition, the contents of Pb and Ni increased obviously in organic phase, and they are correlative with the concentrations of humic acid.     

Forms of phosphorus in sediments from the Gulf of Gdańsk

The occurrence of total P (P-TOT) and the mineral forms of P (P-MIN) [P bonded with Ca (P–Ca), Fe (P–Fe) and Al (P–Al)] in sediments from the Gulf of Gdańsk were investigated. Significant variations in the forms of P with depth in the sediment column were observed. P–Ca is the dominant form in the sediments except in the surface sediments of the deep areas of the Gulf of Gdańsk where organic P (P-ORG) is dominant. These areas also contain the highest contents of P-TOT in the region.     

Major factors influencing boron adsorption in sediments—a case study of modern sediments in Qinghai Lake

Because the boron (B) concentration in water has an apparent positive correlation with salinity, the B content adsorbed in sediments is often regarded as an important indicator to reconstruct the water salinity in a sedimentary environment. The premise of the quantitative reconstruction of paleosalinity is that the B uptake in sediments is proportional to the B concentration in water; however, the study showed that there is no direct relationship. The B absorption in sediments can be affected by both the content of the clay minerals and the total organic carbon content. The data from testing modern sediments and water samples in the Qinghai Lake show that a higher content in clay minerals is beneficial for B adsorption. Furthermore, the organic carbon from halophiles has a strong effect on the enrichment of B. Therefore, the organic carbon content in sediments should be considered when the paleosalinity of water is reconstructed using its B content. It is also thought that the Adams and Couch formulas are not suitable for reconstructing the salinity of water with a high organic carbon content in sediments because they consider only the effect of clay minerals on the adsorbed B without the contribution of organic carbon.     

Geochemical characteristics of trace elements in sediments of Dongting Lake, central China

Although eutrophication and trace element contamination are two key environmental problems in Dongting Lake, a systematic study of the distribution of trace elements in sediments of this lake has not previously been undertaken. In order to identify the current levels of trace metal contamination in Dongting Lake, the concentrations of trace elements （Cd, Cr Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, As and Hg） in the sediments at 53 locations were investigated in this study. The lake, the second largest fresh-water lake in China, boasts three China wetlands of international importance. Dongting Lake which lies in the south of the middle Yangtze River is the most important reservoir lake in the Yangtze River drainage area, and is characterized by fast flow-through water, large runoff volume and short period of exchanging water （no more than 20 days）. The granulometric analysis result of sediments shows that a large proportion of the sediments measures at 2-63 μm in size; the result of mineralogical analysis shows that original mineral is the main composition of the sediments, followed by clay mineral and carbonate. The contents of copper, lead, zinc, cadmium, arsenic and mercury are higher than the background levels of soil （ Ⅰ Soil） in China, but lower than the threshold values for severely polluted soil （Ⅲ Soil） in China except Cd higher than that in Ⅲ Soil. The concentrations of trace elements analyzed are higher than the Threshold Effect Level of Interim Sediment Quality Guideline by Canada EPA and are lower than the Probable Effect Level. The assessment by geoaccumulation index shows that the contamination of Cd reached strong level in Dongting Lake. Study on speciation of metals by a BCR procedure indicates that the trace elements （Cu, Zn, Cr, and Ni） analyzed are mainly distributed in residual phases but Pb in Fe/Mn oxhydroxide phase and Cd in soluble and carbonate-bound fraction. The potential risk was the highest in East Dongting Lake based on the calculated contamination factors which are mostly probably caused by the deposition of the trace element pollutants via the Xiangjiang River and the discharge of the pollution sources in the vicinity of East Dongting Lake.     

Nonconservative behavior of Br−/Cl− ratios during alteration of volcaniclastic sediments

Other than halite diagenesis and organic matter degradation, Cl⁻ and Br⁻ are considered to be conservative in marine pore fluids. Consequently, Br⁻/Cl⁻ ratios should remain constant during most diagenetic reactions. Nonetheless, Br⁻/Cl⁻ molar ratios decrease to 1.27 × 10⁻³ (≈18% less than seawater value) in pore fluids from Site 833 in the Aoba Basin of the New Hebrides convergent margin despite the lack of halite diagenesis and little organic matter. Sediment at this site is largely volcanic ash, which becomes hydrated with depth as it converts to clay and zeolite minerals. These hydration reactions remove sufficient water to increase the concentrations of most solutes including Cl⁻ and Br⁻. The resulting concentration gradients drive diffusion, but calculations indicate that diffusion does not decrease the Br⁻/Cl⁻ ratio. Some Cl⁻ may be leached from the ash, but insufficient amounts are available to cause the observed decrease in Br⁻/Cl⁻ ratio. The limited source of Cl⁻ suggests that proportionately more Br⁻ than Cl⁻ is lost from the fluids to the diagenetic solids. Similar nonconservative behavior of Cl⁻ and Br⁻ may occur during fluid circulation at ridge crests and flanks, thereby influencing the halide distribution in the crust.     

Sorption of P by ferric hydroxide film, cover particles of sediments of Lake Baikal

We investigated in more detail the adsorption phenomenon which was described earlier. It was clearly established that the hydroxyl apatite was not participated in P adsorption. This phenomenon takes place because of ferric hydroxide film. Modem sediments from the Southem Basin of Lake Baikal were taken and stirred with Baikal water. Carrier-free [^32p]-orthophosphate was added in this system. Similar experiments were made with carrier-free [^35S]-sulphate. Sulphate stayed in supematant completely. The influence of pH on the system with inorganic phosphate was also studied. In low alkali conditions phosphate migrated in supematant, in low acid, in sediments. Baikal sediment was stripped of iron-hydroxous film by treatment with 1% oxalic acid. Investigation of striped sediment shown that phosphate stays in supematant only. Hence, hydroxyl apatite cannot be the phase of the sediments of Lake Baikal which binds phosphate. This all showed by our group before. Now we have found the limit of phosphate sorption in Lake Baikal sediments and the stehiometry of the sorption. The sorption limit of Lake Baikal sediments was studied. An experiment with inorganic ^31P phosphate was made. 0.025% K2HPO4 solution with adding ^32P radioactive mark into it was prepared. 100 μL of mixture of ^31PO4^3- and ^32PO4^3- seven times were added in a ＂Baikal water-Baikal sediment＂ system and blank （100 ml BW only）. Concentrations of inorganic ^31PO4^3- were very low so the bend dot on the diagram was found and sorption limit of sediment was estimated. Baikal sediment stopped assimilating phosphate in the bend dot. The stehiometry of sorption was estimated by supematant-sediment radioactive ratio, which equals 3, that is, three Fe （Ⅲ） atoms associate one PO4^3- anion. The only Fe （Ⅲ） substance which could associate P is -Fe-O-Fe- polymer film. It also dissolves in acid conditions.     

Influence of terrestrial vegetation on leaf wax δD of Holocene lake sediments

The hydrogen isotope composition of terrestrial plant leaf wax in sediments is increasingly used as a paleoclimatic indicator. Modern calibration studies suggest that paleoclimatic interpretation of leaf wax δD values requires consideration of the differences in the apparent fractionation of hydrogen isotopes among different groups of plants. However, it is not common that paleoecological data are used to help interpret leaf wax δD profiles. Here we assess the relative importance of factors influencing millennial-scale shifts in δD values of n-alkanoic acids at Steel Lake (Minnesota, USA), an extensively studied site with independent records of vegetation composition, δD of input water to the lake, and evaporation. The δD values of the n-C₂₈ alkanoic acid (δD_C28) vary between −190 and −168‰, and do not correlate with δD of input water or the extent of evaporation. However, δD_C28 is negatively correlated with the δ¹³C values of the n-C₂₈ alkanoic acid (δ¹³C_C28). The correlation, along with pollen assemblage and carbonate δ¹³C records, suggests that Holocene shifts between forest and grassland and/or in the water use efficiency of C₃ plants influenced the stratigraphic variation in leaf wax δD. Thus, paleoecological information, such as that inferred from pollen assemblages and carbon isotopes of plant-derived compounds, may aid paleoclimatic interpretation of leaf wax δD profiles from lake sediments.     

High-resolution aquifer analog of fluvial–aeolian sediments of the Guarani aquifer system

The Guarani aquifer system (GAS) represents one of the biggest aquifers in the world and is the most relevant groundwater resource in South America. For the first time, by combining field and laboratory measurements, a high-resolution aquifer analog model of fluvial–aeolian sediments of the GAS in São Paulo State (Brazil) is constructed. Three parallel sections of frontal outcrops, 28 m × 5.8 m, and two parallel sections of lateral outcrops, 7 m × 5.8 m, are recorded during open-pit mining of sandy sediments and describe in detail the three-dimensional distribution of the local lithofacies and hydrofacies. Variations of hydraulic conductivity, K, and porosity, n, are resolved on the centimeter scale, and the most permeable units of the fluvial–aeolian facies association are identified. The constructed aquifer analog model shows moderate hydraulic heterogeneity and a mean K value of 1.36 × 10^?4 m/s, which is greater than the reported range of K values for the entire GAS in São Paulo State. The results suggest that the examined sedimentary unit constitutes a relevant portion of the GAS in São Paulo State in the context of groundwater extraction and pollution. Moreover, the constructed aquifer analog is considered an ideal basis for future numerical model experiments, aiming at in-depth understanding of the groundwater flow and contaminant transport patterns at this GAS portion or at comparable fluvial–aeolian facies associations.     

Are burnt sediments reliable recorders of geomagnetic field strength?

This study tests if burnt soils and sediments can provide reliable records of geomagnetic field strength at the time of burning by carrying out an experiment to reproduce the prehistoric use of fire on a clayish soil substratum. Rock magnetic experiments showed that in the upper 0–1 cm of the central part of the burnt surface, remanence is a thermoremanent magnetization carried by single-domain magnetite and that samples are thermally stable. Fourteen specimens from that area were subjected to paleointensity experiments with the Coe method (1967). An intensity of 42.9 ± 5.7 μT was estimated below 440°C, whereas at higher temperatures magneto-mineralogical alterations were observed. Corresponding successful microwave intensity determinations from two specimens gave a mean value of 47.6 μT. Both results are in reasonable agreement with the expected field value of 45.2 μT. Burnt soils of archeological fires thus have the potential to record accurately the paleofield strength and may be useful targets for archeointensity investigations. Coincident results obtained from two different paleointensity determination methods support this conclusion.     

Metal contamination of surface sediments of the Sfax–Chebba coastal line,Tunisia

Concentrations of several heavy metals (Pb, Cr, Cd, Cu, Zn and Fe) in surface sediment were determined to investigate the distributions and the metallic pollution status in Sfax–Chebba coastal area (southeast of Tunisia). Sediment samples were collected from 20 locations, representing three different site groups (i.e., site I: urban zone, site II: pre-urban zone and site III: rural zone). Heavy metal contents were analyzed by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. The obtained results showed that generally, heavy metal concentrations in the coastal sediments near Sfax city (urban zone) were higher than those at other stations because of the anthropogenic activities. These concentrations exceeded the threshold effect levels. This was confirmed by the chemometric approaches (enrichment factors, geoaccumulation index and principal component analysis) which showed a significant impact of multiple anthropogenic sources. Moderate to extremely severe enrichment of sediments in terms of Pb, Cr, Cd, Cu and Zn were shown to exist in site I. Severe enrichment by Cd was also observed in other sites. Based on the geoaccumulation index, Pb, Cr, Cd, Cu and Zn can be considered as unpollutants to extreme pollutants.     

Geochemical features of heavy metals in core sediments of northwestern Taihu Lake, China

Sequential core sediments from northwestern Taihu Lake in China were analyzed for grain size, organic carbon and heavy metal content. The sediments are composed of organic-poor clayey-fine silts. The chemical speciations of Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn were also analyzed using the BCR sequential extraction procedure. Cu, Fe, Ni, and Zn are mainly associated with the residue fraction; Mn is concentrated mainly in exchangeable/carbonate fraction and residue fraction; and Pb mainly in Fe/Mn oxide fraction and organic/sulfide fraction. The exchangeable/carbonate fractions of Cu, Fe, Ni, Zn and Pb are lower. The fractions of Ni, Pb and Zn bound to the Fe/Mn oxide have significant correlations with reducible Mn; the organic/sulfide fractions of Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn have significant correlations with TOC. The extractable fractions of Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn are high at the top 4 cm of the core sediments as compared to those in the deeper layers, showing the anthropogenic input of heavy metals is due to rapid industrial development. The heavy metal pollution history of the sediments has been recorded since the late 1970s, determined by the result of ^137Cs dating.     

Geochemical survey of Portugal: Comparative analysis of data from soils and stream sediments

This study reports some results of a low density geochemical survey covering the entire country, taking both topsoils and active stream sediments as the sampling media. Standardized methods for sampling, sample preparation, analysis and analytical quality…     

Upper Miocene–Eopleistocene terrestrial sediments of the northwestern Ciscaucasia region

On the basis of their stratigraphic, lithological, and genetic features, the Upper Miocene–Eopleistocene terrestrial sediments of the northwestern Ciscaucasia region are subdivided into the following local stratigraphic units (formations): Azov–Kuban, Srednyaya Kuban, Novoaleksandrovsk, Temizhbekskaya. The paleontological and paleomagnetic data are used for determining or specifying their age and correlating the formations between each other and with the regional stratigraphic scale. The obtained data make it possible to improve the Upper Miocene–Eopleistocene stratigraphic scale of the northwestern Ciscaucasia region.     

Effect of rhamnolipid biosurfactant on the desorption and biodegradation of sorbed phenanthrene in marine sediments

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are widely distributed in the marine environment. Many PAHs are known to be mutagenic and carcinogenic, so their presence in the environment may constitute a serious threat to the health of humans and ecosystems. Bi…     

Pore water trace metal chemistry in polluted sediments of a tropical estuary of SE Brazil

The Sepetiba Bay is a shallow water body semi enclosed located on the west side of Rio de Janeiro City. Almost 80% of flesh water discharge, from the St Francisco canal, coming from the northern side of the bay develops an estuarine environment. Fishing and tourism are some of the most important economic activities in the area. During 35 years a zinc/cadmium smelter has polluted the bay. The objective of this investigation is to demonstrate the diagenetic processes and cadmium remobilization into pore water from the contaminated sediments. Two sites were selected to compare diagenetic processes. Site P1 is located next to domestic effluents discharge into the bay and approximately 20km away from the smelter. Site P2 is located near the same smelter and next to the Mazomba estuary, which is not influenced directly by domestic effluents. Peeper samplers of 25 cells with a resolution of 2.5 cm were deployed at both the sites. After a 3-weeks period of equilibrium, the pore waters were separated from the cells and analyzed immediately （within 24 h） for alkalinity, NH3 and reactive soluble phosphorus on a spectrophotometer. An ICP-AESΣH2S spectrometer was used to analyze Na, Mg, Li, Ba, Sr, Si, Fe and Mn. Total and labile dissolved Cd in pore waters were determined by differential-pulse stripping voltametry. The dissolved constituents in the pore waters have shown that the intensities of diagenetic reactions are different between sites. The reactions are stronger at site P1 site than at site P2, especially between 7.5 cm and 22.5 cm, which is evident by the organic rich sediment.     

Speciation and potential remobilization of heavy metals in sediments of the Taihu Lake, China

The species of Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd and Cr in sediments of the Taihu Lake, China, have been analyzed using the sequential chemical extraction method. Variations in the chemical fractions of these metals and their geographic distributions have also been studied. For all five metals, the residual fraction is highest but the exchangeable fraction is lowest among all the fractions. Compared to other metals, Cd has the highest percentage in the exchangeable fraction, and Cr is associated mainly with the residual fraction. Cu in the organic fraction and Pb in the Fe-Mn fraction are the important species, whereas the lowest percentages are found for Cd in the organic fraction, Cu in the Fe-Mn oxide fraction and Pb in the carbonate fraction. With respect to spatial differences, the total contents in the non-residual fractions of the metals in bay sediments are found to be higher than those in other sediments. The fractions of Cd, Cu and Cr showed significant variations in different regions. The fractions of Pb and Zn, however, did not show significant variations in spatial distribution, suggesting different amounts and different paths of anthropogenic input for the metals. Comparisons of the metal speciation indicated that Cd might be the most bioavailable metal, followed by Pb.