Geochemistry of manganese deposits in relation to environment on the sea floor around southern Africa

Manganese deposits from the Madagascar Basin, the Crozet Basin and the basins west of the Madagascar Ridge around southern Africa differ chemically from one another. This appears to be largely because of differences in the degree of oxygenation of the environment; most highly oxidizing is the Madagascar Basin, where the $\text{Mn}\text{Fe}$ ratio is very low and where the manganese deposits probably consist largely of “birnessite”.Continental-margin samples differ from basin samples in having higher $\text{Mn}\text{Fe}$ ratios, probably because of diagenetic remobilization processes within the sediment column. The ratios of Mn and Fe to certain metals ($\text{Mn}\text{Ni}$, $\text{Mn}\text{Zn}$, $\text{Fe}\text{Co}$ and $\text{Fe}\text{As}$) are the opposites of those found in other continental-margin environments, suggesting either a difference in the diagenetic process, or an additional metal source, off southern Africa. Both seawater and bottom sediments of the southern African margin are metal-enriched, and could act as sources of metals for growing manganese nodules and encrustations.     

Regional variations in Mn,Ni, Cu,and Co of ferromanganese nodules from a basin in the Southeast Pacific

Deep-sea nodules from the Southeast Pacific (northern sector of the Nazca Plate) have been studied regarding their metal content, shapes, and sedimentary environment. The area investigated lies in the southern boundary region of the equatorial zone of high biological productivity. The nodules accumulate by two different growth processes: (1) early diagenetic growth by supply from pore water and (2) hydrogenetic growth by supply from near-bottom sea-water. These growth processes lead to different genetic types of nodules. Considering the $\text{Mn}\text{Fe}$ ratio, the examined basin can clearly be divided in three ferromanganese facies. The $\text{Mn}\text{Fe}$ quotient increases generally from south to north, whereas Ni and Cu concentrations show a distinct maximum in the mid facies at a $\text{Mn}\text{Fe}$ ratio of about 5. Computing the correlation of $\text{Mn}\text{Fe}$ quotient versus (Ni+Cu), hyperbolic regressions show the best coefficients of correlation and separate the quantity of nodules in two groups. The ascending and the descending hyperbola represent two geochemical ranges which are controlled by different accumulation mechanisms.     

Composition of Pacific Ocean ferromanganese nodules

Bulk composition of ferromanganese nodules from the pelagic environment of the Pacific Ocean is apparently related to nodule-growth rate, sediment-accumulation rate, and biologic productivity in the overlying seawater. Nodules with a high $\text{Mn}\text{Fe}$ ratio and high Ni and Cu concentrations tend to occur in areas where primary productivity in the surface layer of the ocean is high and the sediment-accumulation rate low. Nodules with a low $\text{Mn}\text{Fe}$ ratio and low Ni and Cu concentrations occur in areas either where sediment-accumulation rate is high or biologic productivity is low. They may have a $\text{Mn}\text{Fe}$ ratio as low as one and accrete at rates as low as $\text{1}\text{mm}\text{10}{}^6\text{yrs}$. Nodules with a larger $\text{Mn}\text{Fe}$ ratio apparently have growth rates that are greater by as much as a factor of 10.     

Factors influencing particulate matter geochemistry in the St. Lawrence estuary turbidity maximum

635 samples of suspended particulate matter (SPM), collected in the St. Lawrence river and estuary during periods of high and low river flow from a series of individual and anchor stations on a transect traversing the turbidity maximum zone, as well as two sediment box cores, were analyzed for Al, Si, Ca, Mg, Fe and Mn.An abrupt change in elemental composition occurs when traversing the front at the landward edge of the turbidity maximum. As the SPM concentration increases across the front from 20–200 mg l^?1, the Ca/Al and Mg/Al ratios of the SPM increase and the Si/Al, Fe/Al and Mn/Al ratios decrease. The almost 50% decrease of the Mn/Al ratio is not related to changes in salinity. Within the turbidity maximum the tidal-averaged Si/Al, Ca/Al, Mg/Al and Fe/Al ratios of the SPM do not differ significantly from the landward to the seaward end of the turbidity zone, but on one tidal station the ratios of Si, Ca and Fe to Al are significantly lower at high river flow than at low flow. The Mn/Al ratio is insensitive to the extreme variations of either salinity (0.6–30‰) or SPM concentrations (10–480 mg l^?1) within the turbidity zone. A tendency for higher Mn/Al ratios to be associated with near-bottom SPM, observed in the center of the turbidity zone during the low river flow period, is well developed in the lower reaches of the zone.Diagenetic mobilization within the rare fine-grained bottom sediments of the turbidity maximum is responsible for changes in Mn and Fe content of particulate matter, and early settling of coarse-grained components and size sorting within the zone are responsible for other compositional changes. Local sources, desorption and precipitation are apparently of secondary importance. The depletion of both Mn and Fe in the SPM and sediment of the upper estuary implies a net seaward escape of diagenetically mobilized metal.     

Organic carbon stable isotope ratios of continental margin sediments

Stable isotope ratios (δ¹³C) of total organic carbon were measured in surface sediments from the continental margins of the northern and western Gulf of Mexico, the north coast of Alaska and the Niger Delta. Gulf of Mexico outer-shelf isotope ratios were in the same range as has been reported for Atlantic coastal shelf sediments, ?21.5 to ?20‰. Off large rivers including the Mississippi, Niger and Atchafalaya (Louisiana), δ¹³C values increased from terrigenous-influenced (around ?24‰) to typically marine ($\text{～?20‰}$) within a few tens of kilometers from shore. This change was accompanied by a decrease in the amount of woody terrigenous plant remains in the sediment. Alaskan continental margin samples from the cold Beaufort Sea had isotopically more negative carbon (?25.5 to ?22.6‰) than did warmer-water sediments. The data indicate that the bulk of organic carbon in Recent sediments from nearshore to outer continental shelves is marine derived.     

The behaviour of iodine and bromine in estuarine surface sediments

The distribution of iodine and bromine was examined in sediments which receive inputs of marine and terrigenous organic matter. The I and Br concentrations are directly related to the content of ‘marine’ organic matter defined using carbon/nitrogen ratios. In the Etive sediments both Br and I may be used as an indicator of ‘marine’ organic matter; Br is of general application as the $\text{Br}\text{C}{}_{\mathrm{mar}}$ ratio (180 × 10^?4) is similar to ratios in other sedimentary environments but the use of I is restricted as the $\text{I}\text{C}{}_{\mathrm{mar}}$ ratio is unlike those in other sediments. Experimental study of iodine sorption clearly shows the importance of decaying marine organic matter and oxygenated conditions in the incorporation of iodine by sediments. This suggests that the mechanism of incorporation of iodine by seston previously proposed is probably an important pathway to sediments. The similarity of Br association with marine organic matter suggests that Br sorption as opposed to residual enrichment may be important for sediment Br accumulation.     

泉州湾泥沙运移特征的初步研究

泉州湾属于潮流、径流和波浪综合作用下的山地海湾,根据两次(1994年6月和2001年12月)水文泥沙实测资料,分析泉州湾悬浮泥沙和沉积物分布特征,研究其沉积物来源,并探讨北水道的沉积速率。悬浮泥沙含量自河口(湾顶)-湾口-外海逐渐降低。高值区出现在水道和河口,冬季高于夏季,大、中潮高于小潮。泉州湾沉积物分布与水动力强弱环境呈很好的对应关系。晋江携带入海的泥沙是研究区的主要物源：海岸侵蚀来沙与湾外来沙也提供了部分物源。南、北水道分别属于落潮槽与涨潮槽两种不同性质的水道。北水道沉积物较细,以沉积作用为主,其入口处淤积程度较轻,而在上游淤积程度相对较重;南水道流速较大,沉积物较粗,是泥沙输运主要通道,地形变化不明显。     

A snapshot of suspended sediment and fluid mud occurrence in a mixed-energy embayment, Tijucas Bay, Brazil

Along the southern Brazilian coast, Tijucas Bay is known for its unique muddy tidal flats associated with chenier plains. Previous field observations pointed to very high suspended sediment concentrations (SSCs) in the inner parts of the bay, and in the estuary of the Tijucas River, suggesting the presence of fluid mud. In this study, the occurrences of suspended sediments and fluid mud were examined during a larger-scale, high-resolution 2-day field campaign on 1–2 May 2007, encompassing survey lines spanning nearly 80 km, 75 water sampling stations for near-bottom density estimates, and ten sediment sampling stations. Wave refraction modeling provided qualitative wave energy estimates as a function of different incidence directions. The results show that SSC increases toward the inner bay near the water surface, but seaward near the bottom. This suggests that suspended sediment is supplied by the local rivers, in particular the Tijucas. Near-surface SSCs were of the order of 50 mg l⁻¹ close to the shore, but exceeded 100 mg l⁻¹ near the bottom in the deeper parts of the bay. Fluid mud thickness and location given by densimetry and echo-sounding agreed in some places, although being mostly discordant. The best agreement was observed where wave energy was high during the campaign. The discrepancy between the two methods may be an indication for the existence of fluid mud, which is recorded by one method but not the other. Agreement is considered to be an indication of fluidization, whereas disagreement indicates more consolidation. Wave modeling suggests that waves from the ENE and SE are the most effective in supplying energy to the inner bay, which may induce the liquefaction of mud deposits to form fluid mud. Nearshore mud resuspension and weak horizontal currents result in sediment-laden offshore flow, which explains the higher SSCs measured in the deeper parts of the bay, besides providing a mechanism for fine-sediment export to the inner shelf.     

Biogeochemical studies on the transport of organic matter along the Otsuchi River watershed,Japan

The distributions and stable isotope ratios of biogenic nitrogen and carbon were investigated in detail along a small watershed in order to establish a biogeochemical framework for assessing the fate of organic matter. Forest ecosystems supply soluble and particulate materials to river systems which are depleted in ¹⁵N and ¹³C. The number of suspended particles and the concentrations of δ¹⁵N and δ¹³C in the river sediments increased along the watershed, indicating a change from river to marine ecosystems. Dramatic variation of δ¹⁵N and δ¹³C were observed in the intertidal sediments, where the progress of denitrification, discharge of domestic sewage, and the accumulation and the decomposition of macroalgae and seagrasses took place.The contribution of land-derived organic matter to estuarine sediments has been estimated from δ¹³C and from δ¹⁵N data. The contribution the landderived organo-silty-clay mineral was 70–100% in the inner bay sediments and 34–42% at the open bay. Possible factors that influence the variation of stable isotope ratios along the watershed are discussed. The relationship between the sizes of particles and isotope ratios clearly demonstrated that organo-silty-clay minerals with diameter smaller than 64 μm were the major source of land-derived refractory organics.     

Distribution of trace and major elements in sediment and pore waters of the Lena Delta and Laptev Sea

Sediment cores collected during the SPASIBA expedition in 1991 were analysed for their trace- and major element concentrations. Leachable (0.1 N HCl) as well as residual concentrations were determined. Fe and Mn were measured in the interstitial waters to characterize redox conditions. Lateral distribution patterns of solid phase Cu, Cd, Ni, Pb and Zn show a small increase in concentration from the Lena Delta in seaward direction. In general concentrations of these metals are very low and similar to natural background values. With some exceptions, solid phase profiles with depth of all investigated elements do not show strong variations. No enrichment of Pb and Zn in surface layers was found. Remobilization processes and transport of particles enriched in Mn are responsible for Mn accumulation in a particular area. Pore-water concentrations of dissolved Mn in the latter sediments are very high (> 700 μM) and suggest strong Mn reduction directly below the sediment-water interface. In contrast to Mn, the depth profiles of Cd show a surface layer with lower concentrations and an increase deeper down the sediment. The C/N ratio in the sediment decreases from 13 in the Lena mouth to 9 in the more marine part of the Laptev Sea. Surface sediments in the Laptev Sea are very uniform and homogeneous and show only small concentration gradients.     

The geochemistry of iron and manganese in the waters and sediments of Bolstadfjord,S.W. Norway

The distributions of dissolved and solid phase Fe and Mn have been variously determined in vertical profiles through the water column and sediments at three stations in Bolstadfjord, S.W. Norway. Elevated concentrations of dissolved and suspended particulate Fe and Mn are associated with restricted deep waters as a result of redox reactions and with river discharge. The basin sediments are anoxic throughout but because of the greatly restricted circulation, remobilized Fe and Mn appear to remain predominantly trapped within the fjord. Differentiation of Fe and Mn occurs to the extent that Fe sulphide precipitation is ubiquitous in the sediments whereas the entrapment of Mn, probably through Mn carbonate precipitation, is found only in the sediments of the more seaward basin (maximum Mn content of 1·5% by weight).     

Longshore sediment transport on non-planar beaches

For a concave-up $\text{2}\text{3}$ power Bruun beach profile, the following two energetics-based sediment transport models are developed: (1) a Bagnold-type model and (2) a combined wave-current stress model. The stress model is calibrated with the Bagnold model using observed transport rates on planar beaches. The sediment transport profiles for the two models are in agreement within the surf zone for the planar beach case; but the stress model is also applied seaward of the breaker line where the Bagnold model is not. A mean swash transport of sand is predicted by the Bagnold model for a $\text{1}\text{2}$ power least-squares approximation to total depth including setup/setdown on a Bruun beach profile. The total longshore transport of sand is determined for each transport model as a function of the turbulent lateral mixing strength. The total sand transport is found to be less on a concave-up beach profile than for the corresponding planar beach case.     

Metal sources to the Baltic clam Macoma balthica (Mollusca: Bivalvia) in the southern Baltic Sea (the Gulf of Gdansk)

Metal concentrations of Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn in an infaunal facultative deposit-feeding bivalve, the Baltic clam Macoma balthica, in the Gulf of Gdansk (southern Baltic Sea) were assessed and compared to selected concentrations of metals in the environment. Between October 1996 and September 1997, dissolved and easy extractable (by 1M HCl) metal fractions of total suspended particulate matter (TPM) in the overlying water and of surficial sediments (<63 microm) were measured monthly at five sublittoral sites in the Gulf of Gdansk, and accumulated tissue metal concentrations in M. balthica were determined simultaneously. The study highlights the importance of sediment geochemistry as a factor modifying ambient trace metal bioavailabilities. Surficial sediments appeared to contribute most to the accumulation of Cu and Pb in M. balthica, reflecting the high metal availability in the Gulf. Assimilation of Cu from sediments is controlled by Mn components possibly through an inhibitory effect of Mn oxyhydroxides, while Pb accumulation from sediments depends on the organic content of the sediment. A dual metal uptake pathway, with a suspended particulate-bound fraction and surficial sediments, was apparent for Mn and Zn. Partitioning of Mn in sediments was related to the concentration of labile Fe, with increased levels of Fe tending to inhibit the accumulation of Mn by the clam. Tissue accumulated Zn might have been altered by the clam's internal regulation, making Zn tissue concentrations, to some degree, independent of its environmental level. The principal source of Ni accumulated by the clams exists in the soluble phase.     

Transport of salt and suspended sediments in a curving channel of a coastal plain estuary: Satilla River, GA

This study describes the transport of salt and suspended sediment in a curving reach of a shallow mesotidal coastal plain estuary. Circulation data revealed a subtidal upstream bottom flow during neap tide, indicating the presence of a gravitational circulation mode throughout the channel. During spring tide, landward bottom flow weakened considerably at the upstream end of the channel and changed to seaward in the middle and downstream areas of the reach, suggesting the importance of tidal pumping. Salt flux near-bottom was landward at both ends of the channel during neap tide. At spring, however, the salt flux diverged along the bottom of the thalweg suggesting that tidal pumping caused a transfer of salt vertically and laterally into the intertidal zone. Thus, landward flux of salt is maintained even in the presence of subtidal seaward flow along the bottom at the downstream end of the channel.Landward bottom stress is greater than seaward stress, preferentially transporting suspended sediments upstream. Compared with salt, however, the weight of the suspended sediments causes less upward transfer of sediments into the intertidal zone. Flood flow carried more suspended sediments landward at the upstream end compared with the downstream end. We speculate that secondary flow in the curving channel picks up increasing amounts of suspended sediments along the sides during flood and adds them to the axial flow in the thalweg. Since the landward flow along the bottom of the thalweg weakens and even reverses during spring tide, there appears to be a complex re-circulation system for sediments re-suspended in curving channels that complicates the picture of a net transport of sediments landward.     

Microbial nitrogen transformations in sediments and inorganic nitrogen fluxes across the sediment/water interface on the South Island West Coast,New Zealand

In January 1982, sediment microbial N transformations and inorganic N fluxes across the sediment/water interface were studied at nine sites off the South Island West Coast, New Zealand. The sediments showed a great variety in physical, chemical and biological properties. The sediment organic matter had a molar $\text{C}\text{N}$ ratio of 5.9–10.9, and the total $\text{N}\text{P}$ ratio was 1.2–4.0. The denitrification capacity in the top 7.5 cm of sediment was 0.1–77.2 mmol N m^?2 day^?1 and generally declined with increasing sediment depth. The in situ denitrification rate was 0.02–1.84 mmol N m^?2 day^?1 and highest activities were generally found in surface sediments and at 6–7.5 cm depth. Denitrification accounted for 82–100% of total nitrate reduction. Net N mineralization was indirectly estimated at 0.6–2.4 mmol N m^?2 day^?1, and the experimental determination of this N transformation gave 0.6–3.2 mmol N m^?2 day^?1. Denitrification accounted for 3–75% of net N mineralization. The diffusive flux of ammonium and nitrate across the sediment/water interface was 0.1–0.7 and 0.1–0.6 mmol N m^?2 day^?1, respectively.     

Tectonically induced deformation of deep-sea sediments off Washington and northern Oregon: Mechanical consolidation

Convergent motion of the North American and Juan de Fuca plates has resulted in deformation of Cascadia Basin sediments and accretion of these deposits to the North American continental margin. The accreted deposits, which occur as anticlinal ridges and thrust blocks, constitute the lower continental slope or borderland off Washington and northern Oregon. Over the past 2.0 m.y., approximately 30 km of this deformed material has been added to the lower slope, removing undeformed deposits from Cascadia Basin at a rate of 2.3–2.9 cm/yr.Near-surface sediments involved in this accretionary process are mechanically consolidated: muds?tones dredged from the lower slope exhibit physical properties (water contents, 20–47%; void ratios, 0.4–1.2; preconsolidation pressures, 0.8–8.2 MPa) which differ significantly from properties of similar, but undeformed sediments (water contents, 50–250%; void ratios, 1.1–1.9). While some consolidation may be attributable to prior burial ($\text{< 2.0}\text{MPa}$) or carbonate precipitation, neither mechanism can wholly account for the values observed. It appears that most of the consolidation has occurred in response to tectonically induced overpressures.Initial consolidation occurs rapidly across a narrow ($\text{< 3}\text{km}$) front, defined by the base of the continental slope. Further consolidation and dewatering appears to take place, at a much reduced rate, over the entire width of the lower slope.Development of foliation is nearly ubiquitous in the deformed mudstones. This property limits the strength of the deposits (shear strengths, 90–416 kPa) and movement along these planes probably accommodates much of the strain after initial consolidation.The physical properties characteristic of Washington—Oregon deformed sediments may represent limiting values for mechanical consolidation of near-surface terrigenous sediments under horizontal stress.     

Influence of infrequent floods on the trace metal composition of estuarine sediments

By use of iron variation diagrams, it is shown that the concentrations of Mn, Ni, Cu and Zn in sediments of upper Chesapeake Bay are 50–75% lower than expected if they were simple mixtures of their apparent source materials: eroding Atlantic Coastal Plain deposits and material delivered by the Susquehanna River under ordinary discharge conditions. The Fe concentrations in the sediments, on the other hand, are consistent with derivation from these sources. Evidence is presented that the ratios of total Mn, Ni, Cu and Zn to Fe in the Susquehanna River decline during high discharge events. Because such events are responsible for removal of a major fraction of the total material carried out of the river basin, it is likely that the upper bay sediments simply reflect the long-term average composition of material from the basin. Averaging over a period much greater than one year is necessary to obtain a meaningful estimate of the trace element composition of material being removed from this river basin.     

Flocculation and sedimentation on the Po River Delta

With the goal of improving understanding of the effect of flocculation on the formation of fine-grained deposits on continental shelves, hydrographic profiling, in situ imaging of suspended matter, and collection of surficial sediment samples were conducted at the Po River Delta in June 2001. These data show that during medium flow conditions (1920 m³/s), sedimentation occurs rapidly immediately offshore of the main distributary, Po della Pila. Rapid sedimentation is promoted by large rapidly sinking flocs forming in the river well upstream of the mouth. The delivery of fine sediment to the seabed at the mouth of the Po is sufficient to overwhelm the erosive effects of waves and currents, leading to accumulation of mud in water depths as shallow as 4 m. On cross-shelf transects 2 km north and south of the mouth, however, suspended sediment supply from the river is reduced to the point that mud accumulates only seaward of the 8-m isobath. Along the central transect, suspended sediment concentration decreases rapidly seaward of the 6-m isobath where the emergence of a more organic-rich population of flocs along a mid-water density interface is suggested. Energetic activity along the 15-m isobath likely promotes resuspension with the potential for removal of material from the delta. Further investigation of floc properties, namely the relationship of floc size to settling velocity, is necessary to establish the degree to which the suspension is flocculated during transport and deposition.     

辽河口海区悬浮体运移扩散动力特征

控制着辽河口海区悬浮体运移的主要动力是河流迳流、潮流和余流．它们对最大浑浊带中河水与海水的混合，密度流循环以及悬浮物的沉降和运移共同起作用．悬浮物向海运移与河口区最大浑浊带有关，即与河流迳流、潮流和余流作用所控制的悬浮物数量有关。悬浮物向海运移似乎遵循两个周期：１．小潮—大湖周期；２．河流迳流丰枯周期．最大运移发生在大潮期和河流迳流丰水期。