Marine biogeochemistries of Be and Al: A study based on cosmogenic10Be, Be and Al in marine calcite, aragonite, and opal

The geochemical behaviors of Be and Al in ocean waters have been successfully studied in recent years using natural, cosmogenic, radioactive¹⁰Be and²⁶Al as tracers. The present day dissolved concentrations and distribution of the stable and radioactive isotopes of Be and Al in ocean waters have revealed their short residence times and appreciable effects of exchange fluxes at the coastal and ocean-sediment interfaces. It follows that concentrations of these particle-active elements must have varied in the past with temporal changes in climate, biological productivity and aeolian flux of continental detritus to the oceans. We therefore investigated the feasibility of extending the measurements of Be and Al isotope concentrations in marine systems to the 10³–10⁶ y BP time scale. We report here the discovery of significant amounts of intrinsic Be and Al in marine foraminiferal calcite and coral aragonite, and of Al in opal (radiolarians) and aragonite (coral), which makes it possible to determine¹⁰Be/Be and²⁶Al/Al in oceans in the past. We also report measured¹⁰Be/⁹Be in foraminiferal calcite in Pacific Ocean cores, which reveal that the concentrations and ratios of the stable and cosmogenic isotopes of Be and Al have varied significantly in the past 30 ky. The implications of these results are discussed.     

Characterisation of a Natural Quartz Crystal as a Reference Material for Microanalytical Determination of Ti,Al, Li,Fe, Mn,Ga and Ge

A natural smoky quartz crystal from Shandong province, China, was characterised by laser ablation ICP‐MS, electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) and solution ICP‐MS to determine the concentration of twenty‐four trace and ultra trace elements. Our main focus was on Ti quantification because of the increased use of this element for titanium‐in‐quartz (TitaniQ) thermobarometry. Pieces of a uniform growth zone of 9 mm thickness within the quartz crystal were analysed in four different LA‐ICP‐MS laboratories, three EPMA laboratories and one solution‐ICP‐MS laboratory. The results reveal reproducible concentrations of Ti (57 ± 4 μg g^?1), Al (154 ± 15 μg g^?1), Li (30 ± 2 μg g^?1), Fe (2.2 ± 0.3 μg g^?1), Mn (0.34 ± 0.04 μg g^?1), Ge (1.7 ± 0.2 μg g^?1) and Ga (0.020 ± 0.002 μg g^?1) and detectable, but less reproducible, concentrations of Be, B, Na, Cu, Zr, Sn and Pb. Concentrations of K, Ca, Sr, Mo, Ag, Sb, Ba and Au were below the limits of detection of all three techniques. The uncertainties on the average concentration determinations by multiple techniques and laboratories for Ti, Al, Li, Fe, Mn, Ga and Ge are low; hence, this quartz can serve as a reference material or a secondary reference material for microanalytical applications involving the quantification of trace elements in quartz.     

松嫩平原西部碱尘气溶胶的元素特征分析

碱尘暴期间松嫩平原西部碱尘气溶胶的主要元素质量浓度排序为Na、Al、Fe、Ca、Mg、K、Ti、Ba、Zn,与当地盐碱化土壤的元素组成吻合,而与沙尘、城市气溶胶的元素组成有差别。风力对碱尘气溶胶元素组成有明显的影响,当风速在8.0~17.1 m/s时,元素组成的质量浓度排序为Na、Ca、Al、Fe、Mg、K、Ba、Ti、Zn。Na元素质量浓度的激增是碱尘暴元素组分的一大特征,明显富集元素为Na和B;相对于当地背景大气气溶胶的富集情况,Zn、Cu、Ba、B的富集因子值在碱尘暴期间明显降低;在各种天气情况下,B、Cu均具有较高的富集因子。碱尘中Ti元素的富集因子值均小于1,而Ca、Fe、K、Mg、Mn、Sr、V的富集因子值为1~4。两个采样点的Ca、Na、Al、Fe、Mg、Ti、Zn的富集因子近似,表明该区碱尘的主要元素具有特定的一致性;而B、Ba、Cu、V的富集因子相差较大,可以作为区分不同碱尘源的标志性元素。     

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.     

Concentration and distribution of trace elements in some coals from Northern China

The concentration, distribution and modes of occurrence of trace elements in thirty coals, four floors and two roofs from Northern China were studied. The samples were collected from the major coalfields of Shanxi Province, Shaanxi Province, Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region, and Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. The concentrations of seventeen potential hazardous trace elements, including Hg, As, Se, Pb, Cd, Br, Ni, Cr, Co, Mo, Mn, Be, Sb, Th, V, U, Zn, and five major elements P, Na, Fe, Al, and Ca in coals were determined.Compared with average concentration of trace elements in Chinese coal, the coals from Northern China contain a higher concentration of Hg, Se, Cd, Mn, and Zn. They may be harmful to the environment in the process of combustion and utilization. Vertical variations of trace elements in three coal seams indicated the distributions of most elements in coal seam are heterogeneous. Based on statistical analyses, trace elements including Mo, Cr, Se, Th, Pb, Sb, V, Be and major elements including Al, P shows an affinity to ash content. In contrast, Br is generally associated with organic matter. Elements As, Ni, Be, Mo, and Fe appear to be associated with pyrite. The concentrations of trace elements weakly correlate either to coal rank or to maceral compositions.     

Taxonomical and Biogeochemical Investigation of Elements in Holocene Mollusk Shells in the South and Southwestern Marmara Basin,Turkey

Concentrations of some heavy metals and trace elements such as Cr, Ga, Ni, Zn, Mo, Cu, Pb, Yb, Y, Nb, Ti, Sr, Ba, Mn, Sc, Co, V, Zr, Fe, Al, W, Se, Bi, Sb, As, Cd in recent mollusk shells and factors affecting their distribution and deposits collected from various depths in the southern and southwestern parts of the Marmara Sea are investigated. The distribution of the elements in the shells is categorized into four groups. Of these, concentrations of 12 elements （As, Bi, Cd, Co, Ga, Mo, Nb, Sb, Se, Sc, W and Yb） are below zero [（0.053-0.79）×10^-6]; concentrations of seven elements （Cr, Ni, Pb, V, Y, Zr and Cu） are （1.0-6.0）×10^-6; concentrations of four elements （Ti, Mn, Ba and Zn） are 10- 20×10^-6; and concentrations of five elements （Si, Al, Fe, Mg and Sr） are （47.44-268.11）×10^-6. The taxonomic characteristics of the 29 elements were studied separately in mollusk shells such as Chamalea gallina （Linn6）, Pitar rudis （Poli）, Nassarius reticulatus （Linn6）, Venerupis senescens （Coocconi）, Mytilus galloprovincialis （Lamarck）, Mytilaster lineatus （Gemelin in Linne） and Chlamys glabra. It was found that, in mollusk taxonomy, the elements have unique values. In other words, element concentrations in various mollusk shells depend mainly on the taxonomic characteristics of mollusks. In various bionomic environments different element distributions of the same species are attributed to the different geochemical characters of the each environment. Data obtained in this study indicate that the organisms are the most active and deterministic factors of the environment.     

Geochemistry and Modes of Occurrence of Hazardous Trace Elements in the No. 11 Coal Seam, Antaibao Surface Mine, Shanxi Province

Concentrations of seventeen hazardous trace elements including As, Pb, Hg, Se, Cd, Cr, Co, Mo, Mn, Ni, U, V, Th, Be, Sb, Br and Zn in the No.ll coal seam, Antaibao surface mine, Shanxi Province were determined using Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis （INAA）, Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry （ICP-AES）, Cold-Vapor Atomic Absorption Spectrometry （CV-AAS） and Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry （GF-AAS）. Comparisons with average concentrations of trace elements in Chinese coal show that the concentrations of Hg and Cd in the No. 11 coal seam, Antaibao surface mine are much higher. They may be harmful to the environment in the process of utilization. The variations of the trace elements contents and pyritic suffur in vertical section indicated that： （a） the concentrations of As, Pb, Mn, and pyritic sulfur decrease from roof to floor; （b） the concentrations of Cr, Zn and Mo are higher in roof, floor and lower in coal seam; （c） the concentration of Br, Sb, and Hg are higher in coal seam and lower in roof and floor; （d） the concentrations of Mo, V, Th and AI vary consistently with the ash yield. Cluster analysis of trace elements, pyritic sulfur, ash yield and major elements, such as AI, Fe, P, Ca shows that： （a） pyritic sulfur, Fe, As, Mn, Ni, Be are closely associated and reflect the influence of pyrite; （b） Mo, Se, Pb, Cr, Th, Co, Ca and A! are related to clay mineral, which is the main source of ash; （c） U, Zn, V, Na, P maybe controlled by phosphate or halite; （d） Hg, Br, Sb and Cd may be mainly organic-associated elements which fall outside the three main groups. The concentration distribution characteristics of trace elements in coal seam and the cluster analysis of major and trace elements showed that the contents of trace elements in the No. 11 coal seam, Antaibao surface mine, are mainly controlled by detrital input and migration from roof and floor.     

The last interglacial as represented in the glaciochemical record from Mount Moulton Blue Ice Area,West Antarctica

Understanding climate during the last interglacial is critical for understanding how modern climate change differs from purely naturally forced climate change. Here we present the first high-resolution ice core record of the last interglacial and transition to the subsequent glacial period from Antarctica and the first glaciochemical record for this period from West Antarctica. Samples were collected from a horizontal ice trench in the Mt. Moulton Blue Ice Area (BIA) in West Antarctica and analyzed for their soluble major anions (Cl^?, NO₃^?, SO₄^2-), major and trace elements (Na, Mg, Ca, Sr, Cd, Cs, Ba, La, Ce, Pr, Pb, Bi, U, As, Al, S, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn) and water hydrogen isotopes (δD). The last interglacial is characterized by warmer temperatures (δD), weakened atmospheric circulation (dust elements, seasalts aerosols), decreased sea ice extent (Na, nssSO₄^2-) and decreased oceanic productivity (nssSO₄^2-). A combined examination of Mt. Moulton seasalts, dust, nssSO₄^2- and δD records indicates that the last interglacial was extremely stable compared to glacial age climate events and it ended through a long period of gradual cooling unlike that projected for future Holocene climate.     

Intercomparison of PIXE and ICP‐AES Analyses of Aeolian Dust from Owens (Dry) Lake,California

Particle‐induced X‐ray emission (PIXE) and ICP‐AES can be combined to obtain a wider range of detected elements, augment previous data and/or to verify measured concentrations of heavy and trace metals in geological samples. Intercomparison of data sets generated by multiple techniques is challenging due to the differing processes and methods of each technique. Here, we compare elemental data obtained by both techniques for aeolian dust from Owens (Dry) Lake, California. Nineteen elements were detected by PIXE, sixteen by ICP‐AES and ten elements were detected by both techniques. Statistical analyses of data set groupings illustrated which parameters differed significantly between PIXE and ICP‐AES. Relative variation (%) showed that PIXE gave higher concentrations than ICP‐AES for Al, As, Cu, Fe, K, Mn, Ni, Sr, Ti and Zn in all samples. For As, Cu, Sr and Zn, relative variation was variable between the techniques. PIXE detection limits exceeded ICP‐AES concentrations for Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Pb and Mo. Low ICP‐AES percentage recoveries of Al, Fe, K, Mn and Ti for NIST SRM 2710 indicated incomplete dissolution during digestion (EPA Method 3050B), since elements were bound in silicate structures. Variability between the two data sets is explained by differences between analytical techniques, sample preparation methods and/or variability in sample matrices.     

Geochemical criteria of the Upper Sinian cherts of hydrothermal origin on the southeast continental margin of the Yangtze plate

The Upper Sinian bedded cherts are widely distributed on the southeast continental margin of the Yangtze plate, with a total thickness ranging from 20 to 150 m. The cherts are very simple in chemical composition, with the contents of siliceous minerals exceeding 90% and those of other mineral species being very low. The total content of trace elements is considerably variable. The contents of most trace elements are low as compared with their crust clarke values. But these cherts are very rich in the trace elements Ba, As, Ab, Ag and U, coupled with relatively high contents of Fe, Mn and low contents of Al, Ti, and Mg. It can be identified as the cherts of hydrothermal origin in terms of the values of Fe/Ti, (Fe + Mn)/Ti, Al/ (Al + Fe + Mn) and U/Th. In the Al-Fe-Mn, and Fe-Mn-(Cu + Ni + Co) × 10 diagrams and lg [U]-lg[Th], Cr-Zr diagrams, all the samples from the area studied fall within the hydrothermal sediment field. All these characteristics show that the cherts are mainly the product of hydrothermal processes. The fact that the δ³⁰Si values of the chert range from 0.0‰ to 0.7‰ with §¹⁸O from 20.l‰ to 23.6‰ clearly manifests that the submarine hydrothermal water is the main source of silica.     

Diffusion and partition coefficients of minor and trace elements in San Carlos olivine at 1,300°C with some geochemical implications

Lattice diffusion coefficients have been determined for 19 elements (Li, Be, Na, Ca, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn, Y, Zr, Eu, Gd, Lu and Hf) in a single crystal of San Carlos olivine as a function of crystallographic orientation, at 1,300°C, 1 bar and fO₂ = 10^−8.3 bars, by equilibration with a synthetic silicate melt. Results for Li, Na, V, Cr, Fe and Zn are from diffusion of these elements out of the olivine, starting from their indigenous concentrations; those for all other elements are from diffusion into the olivine, from the silicate melt reservoir. Our 25-day experiment produced diffusion profiles 50 to > 700 μm in length, which are sufficiently long that precise analyses could be achieved by scanning laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, even at concentration levels well below 1 μg g⁻¹. For the divalent cations Ca, Mn, Fe and Ni, profiles were also obtained by electron microprobe analysis. The results of the two methods agree well with each other, and are consistent with divalent cation diffusion coefficients previously determined using different experimental methodologies. Olivine/melt partition coefficients retrieved from the data are also consistent with other published partitioning data, indicating that element incorporation and transport in olivine in our experiment occurred via mechanisms appropriate to natural conditions. Most of the examined trace elements diffuse through olivine at similar rates to the major octahedral cations Fe and Mg, showing that cation charge and radius have little direct influence on diffusion rates. Aluminium and P remain low and constant in the olivine, implying negligible transport at our analytical scale, hence Al and P diffusion rates that are at least two orders of magnitude slower than the other cations studied here. All determined element diffusivities are anisotropic, with diffusion fastest along the [001] axis, except Y and the REEs, which diffuse isotropically. The results suggest that element diffusivity in olivine is largely controlled by cation site preference, charge balance mechanisms and point-defect concentrations. Elements that are present on multiple cation sites in olivine (e.g. Be and Ti) and trivalent elements that are charge-balanced by octahedral site vacancies tend to diffuse at relatively fast rates.     

黄土和红粘土中宇宙成因核素定年的潜力: 10 Be浓度与化学成分的关系*

宇宙成因核素¹⁰ Be(半衰期1.5Ma)不但是古环境变化的示踪剂,而且具有确定地质年龄的能力。80个全岩样品的¹⁰ Be和化学分析数据表明,黄土高原约6Ma以来的红粘土和黄土序列中年龄校正的¹⁰ Be浓度与沉积物粒度和风化程度的化学指标具有显著的关系。根据这种关系建立的¹⁰ Be浓度与化学指标的经验回归线性模型,可以估计红粘土和黄土形成时的¹⁰ Be浓度,确定红粘土和黄土形成的¹⁰ Be放射性年龄。     

太平洋北部铁锰结核富集区沉积物的元素地球化学特征

本文对太平洋北部铁锰结核富集区沉积物的元素地球化学作了较为详细的研究。因子分析提供的信息表明,元素的分布主要受三个因子控制:（1）粘土及Fe、Mn氧化物水化物胶体的吸附作用;（2）生物化学作用过程有关的自生沉积作用;（3）海底页岩风化及附近海区的火山喷发作用。元素的来源:（1）Fe、Mn、Cu、Co、Ni、Zn、Cr、Cr、Mg、Al、Ti、K共生,主要来自粘土吸附;（2）C_有机、N、Sr、Na及Si、Ca、Sr主要来自生物化学过程沉积;（3）Pb主要来源于岩石碎屑（火山喷发碎屑）。     

河流阶地样品中石英纯化和宇宙核素~(10)Be和~(26)Al分离方法研究

经历反复埋藏暴露演化过程的河流阶地样品,难以用常规方法将原生宇宙核素10Be、26Al有效分离。本文在前人实验方法基础上,使用人工挑选、磁选仪分选及酸洗方法,分离样品中碳酸盐、含铁矿物及大气生成的10Be,进一步优化了石英提纯实验流程。结果表明:长度为9 cm、内径为1 cm的阴离子交换树脂装置匹配4 mol/L氢氟酸淋滤液,可将B、Mg、Ca、Cr、Fe、Mn、Ni、Ti和Be、Al有效分离,Be、Al回收率分别可达95.7%、85.7%。阳离子交换树脂能有效分离Be、Al,两元素回收率均达到85%。获得10Be/9Be和26Al/27Al流程空白分别为2.19×10-15和1.63×10-15。优化后的实验方法显著提高了河流阶地样品中原生宇宙核素10Be、26Al的纯化效率,且10Be/9Be和26Al/27Al流程空白数值与国内外实验室具有可比性。采用本方法获得了成都平原冲积物10Be、26Al暴露年龄分别是76.36±9.51 ka和69.44±14.13 ka,为评价龙门山前缘隐伏断裂构造特征和活动性提供了年代学依据。     

Iron and other transition metals in Patagonian riverborne and windborne materials: geochemical control and transport to the southern South Atlantic Ocean

The bulk of particulate transition metals transported by Patagonian rivers shows an upper crustal composition. Riverine particulate 0.5 N HCl leachable trace metal concentrations are mainly controlled by Fe-oxides. Complexation of Fe by dissolved organic carbon (DOC) appears to be an important determinant of the phases transporting trace metals in Patagonian rivers. In contrast, aeolian trace elements have a combined crustal and anthropogenic origin. Aeolian materials have Fe, Mn, and Al contents similar to that found in regional topsoils. However, seasonal concentrations of some metals (e.g., Co, Pb, Cu, and Zn) are much higher than expected from normal crustal weathering and are likely pollutant derived.We estimate that Patagonian sediments are supplied to the South Atlantic shelf in approximately equivalent amounts from the atmosphere (∼30 × 10⁶ T yr⁻¹) and coastal erosion (∼40 × 10⁶ T yr⁻¹) with much less coming from the rivers (∼2.0 × 10⁶ T yr⁻¹). Low trace metal riverine fluxes are linked to the low suspended particulate load of Patagonian rivers, inasmuch most of it is retained in pro-glacial lakes as well as in downstream reservoirs. Based on our estimation of aeolian dust fluxes at the Patagonian coastline, the high nutrient-low chlorophyll sub Antarctic South Atlantic could receive 1.0 to 4.0 mg m⁻² yr⁻¹ of leachable (0.5 N HCl) Fe. Past and present volcanic activity in the southern Andes—through the ejection of tephra—must be highlighted as another important source of Fe to the South Atlantic Ocean. Based on the 1991 Hudson volcano eruption, it appears that volcanic events can contribute several thousand-fold the mass of “leachable” Fe to the ocean as is introduced by annual Patagonian dust fallout.     

Interelement relationship in abyssal Pacific ferromanganese nodules and associated pelagic sediments

By R-mode factor analysis and enrichment factor calculations, most of the elements in abyssal ferromanganese nodules and associated pelagic sediments (excluding common authigenic minerals like apatite, barite, opal and carbonates) are found to be preferentially concentrated in one of the following three major phases: aluminosilicates (e.g., Al, Si, Sc, Ga, Cr, Be, Na, K, Rb and Cs), Fe-oxides (e.g., Fe, P, S, V, Se, Te, As, B, Sn, U, Hg, Pb, Ti, Ge, Y, Zr, Nb, Pd, In, rare-earths, Hf, Th, Pa, Pu, Am, Ru and Bi), and Mn-oxides (e.g., Mn, Tl, Ag, Cd, Mg, Ca, Ba, Ra, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mo, Sb and probably W). The specific association of elements with these three phases can be explained by the difference in chemical forms of elements in seawater and by fundamental differences in physicochemical properties (e.g., the pH of zero point of charge and dieletric constant) of these three phases.     

New constraints on elemental and Pb and Nd isotope compositions of South American and Southern African aerosol sources to the South Atlantic Ocean

Improving the geochemical database available for characterising potential natural and anthropogenic aerosol sources from South America and Southern Africa is a critical precondition for studies aimed at understanding trace metal controls on the marine biogeochemical cycles of the South Atlantic Ocean. We here present new elemental and isotopic data for a wide range of sample types from South America and Southern Africa that are potentially important aerosol sources. This includes road dust from Buenos Aires and lichen samples from Johannesburg, soil dust from Patagonia, volcanic ash from the Andean volcanic belt, and aerosol samples from São Paulo. All samples were investigated for major (Al, Ca, Fe, Mg, Na, K, Mn) and trace element (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, REE, Sc, Th, Y, V, Zn) concentrations and Nd and Pb isotopic compositions. We show that diagrams of ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁷Pb vs. ε_Nd, ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁷Pb vs. Pb/Al, 1/[Pb], Zn/Al, Cd/Al, Cu/Al, and ε_Nd vs. Pb/Al, and 1/[Nd] are best suited to separate South American and South African source regions as well as natural and anthropogenic sources. A subset of samples from Patagonia and the Andes was additionally subjected to separation of a fine (<5?μm) fraction and compared to the composition of the bulk sample. We show that differences in the geochemical signature of bulk samples between individual regions and source types are significantly larger than between grain sizes. Jointly, these findings present an important step forward towards a quantitative assessment of aeolian trace metal inputs to the South Atlantic Ocean.     

Multi-element signatures of stream sediments and sources under moderate to low flow conditions

This study assesses a simple sediment source tracing method using major- (Al, Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, Si, Ti) and trace-element (Ba, Be, Ce, Co, Cr, Mo, Nd, Pb, Sr, Th, V, Y, Zn) signatures of stream suspended particulate matter (SPM), bed sediments and soils in a small agricultural catchment in NE Scotland. Whilst most erosion studies characterise the large amounts of material mobilised at the highest flows, this study aimed to assess properties of sediments during moderate to low flow periods. These occur more frequent than intense storms and are important in linking stream sediments, near-channel sources and aquatic ecosystem impacts. Data were transformed by multivariate statistical methods to compare elemental signatures of SPM (ranging from 3 to 53 mg L⁻¹ in the stream) and stream bed sediments with a limited number of near-channel source soils. Increased concentrations of Ce, Nd, Th and Y in subsoils contributed to the ability to discriminate between surface fieldslope and stream bank erosion sources. Stream bed sediments showed close matches with compositions of stream bank and arable surface soils, but signatures of SPM differed greatly from any of the sources. Large concentrations of Cr, Pb and Zn in SPM, particularly during summer (677, 177 and 661 mg kg⁻¹, respectively) exceeded water quality standards and were linked to an accumulation of trace elements associated with biological material. The potential for within-stream alteration of SPM in relation to erosion sources was confirmed by changes in the nature of the SPM organic matter observed by IR spectroscopy. Thus the potential is shown for multi-element signatures to give information on catchment sediment sources to aid land management decisions, given careful consideration of the effects of in-stream alteration of eroded material. However, this combined information may be beneficial to process understanding linking land use and stream ecosystems at critical ecological periods.     

The geochemistry of major and selected trace elements in a forested peat bog, Kalimantan, SE Asia, and its implications for past atmospheric dust deposition

Biogeochemical processes in a forested tropical peat deposit and its record of past atmospheric dust deposition were assessed using the vertical distribution of lithophilic and plant essential elements in a dated core profile from Borneo, SE Asia. Peat formation started ∼22,120 ¹⁴C yr before present (BP), and Ca/Mg mass ratios of the solid peat and very low ash contents indicate a strongly ombrotrophic character throughout the deposit, implying that most of the inorganic fraction has been supplied exclusively by atmospheric inputs. Concentration profiles of Mn, Sr, and Ca suggest a very minor influence of chemical diagenesis in the underlying sediments. Silicon, Ca, Mg, P, S, and K show a strong and extended zone of enrichment in the top 200 cm of the profile, indicating that biological accumulation mechanisms are much more extensive than in temperate peat bogs.In the lower core sections, where the element distribution is dominated solely by past atmospheric deposition, average Al/Ti ratios are similar to the upper continental crust (UCC), whereas Fe is slightly enriched and Si is strongly depleted: this condition favors highly weathered tropical soil dust as the main inorganic mineral source. Significant correlation of Al, Fe, Si, S, Ca, and Ti with the lithophilic elements Y and Zr suggests that the distribution of these elements is controlled by sources of atmospheric mineral dust. The Ca/Mg, Ca/K, and Mg/K ratios of the collected rainwater samples are similar to the global average of continental rainwater and suggest a continental character for the site. This is supported by the similarity of the average concentration of Br, Mg, Ca, and S to that in temperate continental and maritime bogs in Switzerland and Scotland.The concentration profiles of Si, Fe, Al, and Ti show distinct peaks within the profile, implying enhanced dust deposition, reduced rates of peat accumulation, or possibly both owing to climatic changes during the Holocene. Enhanced dust deposition between ∼10,830 and 9060 ¹⁴C yr BP is tentatively interpreted as a Younger Dryas-like event with dust fluxes of ∼10.8 mg/m²/yr. The variations in Al/Ti and Fe/Ti profiles suggest that mineral dust sources have been changing constantly during the Holocene, with local sources being dominant between ∼7820 and 9500 ¹⁴C yr BP and long-range transport (derived most likely from China) being important during the late Pleistocene and early Holocene and from ∼7820 ¹⁴C yr BP to the present.     

An evaluation of trace metal distribution and environmental risk in sediments from the Lake Kalimanci (FYR Macedonia)

Pollution from mining activities is a significant problem in several parts of the Republic of Macedonia. A geochemical study of the surficial sediments of Lake Kalimanci in the eastern part of the Republic of Macedonia was carried out to determine their elemental compositions and to evaluate the pollution status of lake sediments by employing an enrichment factor (EF). The major and trace element contamination in surficial lake sediments was studied to assess the effects of metalliferous mining activities. The mean concentrations of major elements (wt%) Si 23.5, Al 7.9, Fe 6.6, Mg 1.3, Ca 3.8, Na 1.1, K 2.3, Ti 0.4, P 0.2, Mn 0.6 and trace elements ranged within Mo 1.0–4.6 mg kg^?1, Cu 144.4–1,162 mg kg^?1, Pb 1,874–16,300 mg kg^?1, Zn 2,944–20,900 mg kg^?1, Ni 21.7–79.3 mg kg^?1, Cd 16.5–136 mg kg^?1, Sb 0.6–3.6 mg kg^?1, Bi 3.0–24,3 mg kg^?1 and Ag 1.4–17.3 mg kg^?1. The EF ranged within 0.12–590.3. Among which, Cd, Pb, Zn and As have extremely severe enrichment. The data indicate that trace elements had extremely high concentrations in Lake Kalimanci surficial sediments owing to the anthropogenic addition of contaminants.