A 2400-year record of trace metal loading in lake sediments of Lagoa Vermelha, southeastern Brazil

Sediments of the Lagoa Vermelha (Red Lake), situated in the Ribeira Valley, southeastern Brazil, are made of a homogeneous, organic-rich, black clay with no visible sedimentary structures. The inorganic geochemical record (Al, As, Ba, Br, Co,Cs, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, Rb, Sc, Sb, V, Zn, Hg and Pb) of the lake sediments was analyzed in a core spanning 2430 years. The largest temporal changes in trace metal contents occurred approximately within the last 180 years. Recent sediments were found to be enriched in Pb, Zn, Hg, Ni, Mn, Br and Sb (more than 2-fold increase with respect to the “natural background level”). The enhanced accumulation of Br, Sb, and Mn was attributed to biogeochemical processes and diagenesis. On the other hand, the anomalous concentrations of Pb, Zn, Hg and Ni were attributed to pollution. As Lagoa Vermelha is located in a relatively pristine area, far removed from direct contamination sources, the increased metal contents of surface sediments most likely resulted from atmospheric fallout. Stable Pb isotopes provided additional evidence for anthropogenic contamination. The shift of ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb ratios toward decreasing values in the increasingly younger sediments is consistent with an increasing contribution of airborne anthropogenic lead. In the uppermost sediments (0-10 cm), the lowest values of the ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb ratios may reflect the influence of the less radiogenic Pb from the Ribeira Valley District ores (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb between 1.04 and 1.10), emitted during the last 50 years.     

Enrichment of trace metals in surface sediments from the northern part of Point Calimere, SE coast of India

This study deals with the geochemical nature of distribution, enrichment of total trace metals (Fe, Mn, Cr, Cu, Ni, Co, Pb, Zn, Cd) in bulk sediments and its association with sediment texture, carbonates and organic carbon. Sixty surface sediment samples were collected during two different seasons in 2002 and 2003 along the coastal regions in three transects from Nagapattinam town, north of Point Calimere in southeast coast of India. The sediments are mostly sandy silt and are dominated by the carbonate content. Organic carbon distribution indicates that they are brought in by the minor river input. Enrichment of trace metals is clearly identified by the domination of Pb, Zn, Cd with high values than the average crustal values and comparison of trace metals from other coastal regions in the southeast coast of India. Statistical analysis clearly indicates that Fe and Mn control the distribution of trace metals and are concentrated in the finer particles and organic carbon fraction. The increase in concentration signifies the need for regular monitoring of the offshore coastal region in southeast coast of India which was recently destroyed by the 2004 December tsunami event, and which is also located near the Sethu Samuthram Ship Canal Project.     

Geochemical comparison of waters and stream sediments close to abandoned Sb-Au and As-Au mining areas,northern Portugal

Waters from abandoned Sb-Au mining areas have higher Sb (up to 2138 μg L⁻¹), As (up to 1252 μg L⁻¹) and lower Al, Zn, Li, Ni and Co concentrations than those of waters from the As-Au mining area of Banjas, which only contain up to 64 μg L⁻¹ As. In general, Sb occurs mainly as SbO₃⁻ and As H₂AsO₄⁻. In general, waters from old Sb-Au mining areas are contaminated in Sb, As, Al, Fe, Cd, Mn, Ni and NO₂⁻, whereas those from the abandoned As-Au mining area are contaminated in Al, Fe, Mn, Ni, Cd and rarely in NO₂⁻. Waters from the latter area, immediately downstream of mine dumps are also contaminated in As. In stream sediments from Sb-Au and As-Au mining areas, Sb (up to 5488 mg kg⁻¹) and As (up to 235 mg kg⁻¹) show a similar behaviour and are mainly associated with the residual fraction. In most stream sediments, the As and Sb are not associated with the oxidizable fraction, while Fe is associated with organic matter, indicating that sulphides (mainly arsenopyrite and pyrite) and sulphosalts containing those metalloids and metal are weathered. Arsenic and Sb are mainly associated with clay minerals (chlorite and mica; vermiculite in stream sediments from old Sb-Au mining areas) and probably also with insoluble Sb phases of stream sediments. In the most contaminated stream sediments, metalloids are also associated with Fe phases (hematite and goethite, and also lepidocrocite in stream sediments from Banjas). Moreover, the most contaminated stream sediments correspond to the most contaminated waters, reflecting the limited capacity of stream sediments to retain metals and metalloids.     

Inorganic pollution of the sediments of the River Torrens, South Australia

The River Torrens plays a vital role in the economic, social and environmental life of South Australia. The river rises on the Adelaide Hills and flows west across the Adelaide Plains, bisecting the city of Adelaide and reaching the sea at the Gulf of St Vincent. The bed sediments of the Torrens were sampled from its headwaters to the coast and analysed for cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, phosphorus and zinc. With the exception of chromium, the concentration of every metal investigated lies above the national trigger value for sediment quality at some point along the course of the river. The sediments of the headwaters exhibit high values of copper and zinc, although these probably reflect natural background conditions rather than pollution. By contrast, in the residential areas that dominate the Adelaide Plains, almost every site is contaminated by lead and zinc, some to well beyond the point of biological damage. Several residential sites, notably those downstream of the city of Adelaide, are also polluted by cadmium. Within the industrial zone around the city, every site is contaminated by lead and zinc, with concentrations at some locations far beyond the threshold for ecological damage. Several industrial sites are also polluted by cadmium and copper. There are no national guidelines against which to assess the phosphorus content of the sediments. However, there is strong evidence that human activities have had a significant impact on phosphorus levels in the river. Major cyanobacterial blooms along the lower Torrens have been linked to the release of nutrients from the sediments, and phosphorus concentrations in the water have reached dramatic levels. Much of this contamination appears to be a consequence of past pollution practices. In particular, the severe pollution along the reach immediately to the west of the city may be largely attributed to the former concentration of metallurgical and chemical industries in that area. These problems are likely to persist indefinitely as modifications to the flow behaviour of the river mean that bed sediments are neither being moved downstream and flushed out of the system nor diluted by mixing with relatively uncontaminated deposits.     

Estimation of heavy metals (Cu,Zn, Pb) input into Punat Bay

The fate of heavy metals (Cu, Pb, Zn) from their sources to the final sink was analysed. Investigations included the identification of sources, the input from each source as well as transport towards their temporary (soil, vegetation, and marine water) and final sink (marine sediments). Research was conducted in the catchment area of Punat Bay on the island of Krk (Northern Adriatic, Croatia). Four sources were identified: long-range transport, traffic, antifouling paints and eroded material which annually introduced about 158 kg of Cu, 175 kg of Pb and 666 kg of Zn into the Bay. Antifouling paints were significant but not the main source of pollution in this area as was considered in previous investigations. Due to long-range transport, the input of Zn was almost four times greater, whereas the input of Pb was almost six times greater than the input from antifouling paints. Aerosols emitted from motor vehicles still represent the mayor source of Pb in this area. Cu originates mostly from antifouling paints and long-range transport. It was estimated that only around 30% of analysed elements introduced into the water column would be deposited in their final sink, i.e. marine sediments.     

Geochemical background and baseline values of toxic elements in stream sediments of Campania region (Italy)

In this paper are discussed the baseline geochemical maps of elements harmful to human health, using concentration values of 2389 stream sediment samples collected over the Campania region (Southern Italy). Each sample was digested in aqua regia and analysed by ICP-MS. For compilation of baseline geochemical maps, a recently developed multifractal inverse distance weighted (lDW) interpolation method and spectral analysis (S-A) was applied, using a new geochemistry dedicated GIS software (GeoDAS). The aim of this study is to discriminate between the geogenic natural content (background) and the anthropogenic contribution in the collected sediments. The definition of background values, in contrast to baseline values, is very important in determining the extent of polluted areas in countries like Italy, where environmental legislation has not yet established intervention limits for stream sediments.     

Anomalous lead isotope ratios and provenance of offshore sediments,Gulf of Carpentaria,northern Australia

Anomalous Pb isotope ratios measured by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry in terrigenous marine sediments (<63 μm fraction) from the Gulf of Carpentaria originated from depositional mixing of clay/silt with average modern crustal Pb isotope ratios and detrital monazite with high ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁶Pb and low ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb. This interpretation is supported by strong correlations between Pb isotope ratio and Th, U and light rare‐earth element concentrations in the sediments as well as by monazite compositional data. A likely source of the detrital monazite is the western portion of the Georgetown Inlier of mainly Proterozoic S‐type granitic rocks. A clear distinction between Pb isotope ratios in sediments deposited from the Norman and Bynoe Rivers in the southeast Gulf of Carpentaria and the persistence of catchment‐specific Pb isotope ratios 45 km offshore suggest that Pb isotope data are useful in tracing the provenance of terrigenous offshore sediments when the source rocks of catchments show sufficient chemical and/or mineralogical variation.     

Geochemical features of rocks,stream sediments,and soils of the Fiume Grande Valley (Calabria,Italy)

The role of both natural weathering and anthropogenic pollution in controlling the distribution of major oxides and several trace elements in soils, stream sediments, and rocks of the Fiume Grande catchment was evaluated. The contents of major oxides and trace elements in soils appear to be governed by weathering and pedogenetic processes, although the use of fertilizers in agriculture could also partly affect K₂O and P₂O₅ contents. Stream sediments have concentrations of major oxides (except CaO) very similar to soils, as relevant amounts of soil materials are supplied to the stream channels by erosive phenomena. In contrast, stream sediments have concentrations of Cr, Co, Ni, Zn, As, and Pb significantly higher than those of soils, probably due to different conditions and rates of mobility of these elements within the three considered matrices and/or disposal of wastes in the drainage network. Comparison of the concentrations of PHEs in soils with the maximum admissible contents established by the Italian law shows that these limits are too restrictive in some cases and too permissive in other ones. The approach of setting these limits with no consideration for the local geological–geochemical framework may lead to improper management of the territory and its resources. Electronic supplementary material Supplementary material is available in the online version of this article at and is accessible for authorized users.     

Heavy metal pollution of coastal river sediments, north-eastern New South Wales, Australia: lead isotope and chemical evidence

 Heavy metal and metalloid concentrations within stream-estuary sediments (<180-μm size fraction) in north-eastern New South Wales largely represent natural background values. However, element concentrations (Ag, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Sb, Zn) of Hunter River sediments within the heavily industrialized and urbanized Newcastle region exceed upstream background values by up to one order of magnitude. High element concentrations have been found within sediments of the Newcastle Harbour and Throsby Creek which drains into urbanized and light industry areas. Observed Pb enrichments and low ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb and ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios are likely caused by atmospheric deposition of Pb additives from petrol and subsequent Pb transport by road run-off waters into the local drainage system. Sediments of the Richmond River and lower Manning, Macleay, Clarence, Brunswick and Tweed River generally display no evidence for anthropogenic heavy metal and metalloid contamination (Ag, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Sb, Zn). However, the rivers and their tributaries possess localized sedimentary traps with elevated heavy metal concentrations (Cu, Pb, Zn). Lead isotope data indicate that anthropogenic Pb provides a detectable contribution to investigated sediments. Such contributions are evident at sample sites close to sewage outlets and in the vicinity of the Pacific Highway. In addition, As concentrations of Richmond River sediments gradually increase downstream. This geochemical trend may be the result of As mobilization from numerous cattle-dip sites within the region into the drainage system and subsequent accumulation of As in downstream river and estuary sediments. Received: 5 September 1997 · Accepted: 4 November 1997     

Trace metal uptake by the grass <Emphasis Type="Italic">Melinis repens</Emphasis> from roadside soils and sediments,tropical Australia

This study reports on trace metal uptake by the grass species Melinis repens, growing in roadside soils and sediments in tropical northeastern Australia. Median total Cu, Pb, Ni and Zn concentrations were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in road edge soils (Cu = 61.1 mg/kg, Pb = 97.3 mg/kg, Ni = 28.6 mg/kg, Zn = 729 mg/kg) than in background soils collected away from roads (Cu = 5.8 mg/kg, Pb = 11.2 mg/kg, Ni = 3.7 mg/kg, Zn = 21 mg/kg). Significantly (P < 0.05) elevated Zn values were recorded in the stems of the M. repens specimens growing on roadside soils (231.6 mg/kg dry weight of tissue) compared with those of grasses growing on background soils (40.8 mg/kg dry weight of tissue). Moreover, median Cu, Ni and Zn values in the roots of roadside grasses (Cu = 29.1 mg/kg, Ni = 2.73 mg/kg, Zn = 169 mg/kg) were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than their respective levels in the roots of background M. repens samples (Cu = 5.98 mg/kg, Ni = 0.70 mg/kg, Zn = 22 mg/kg). A greenhouse experiment showed that Cu and Zn in road sediments are labile and are available for uptake by M. repens. The studied roadside soils and sediments were leached with a diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid–CaCl₂–triethanolamine–HCl extraction solution, which proved to be a rudimentary indicator of Zn availability and uptake to the root tissue of M. repens. The results demonstrate that trace metals in roadside grasses have the potential to be directed up the food-chain as grasses are consumed by herbivores. In addition, bioavailable metal contaminants hosted by road sediments have the capacity to impact on ecosystems downstream of roads because these sediments are mobilised by road runoff waters from road surfaces into adjoining catchments.     

Geochemistry and behavior of REE in stream sediments close to an old Sn-W mine,Ribeira, Northeast Portugal

The abandoned Sn-W Ribeira mine, northeast of Portugal, contained quartz veins with cassiterite, wolframite, scheelite, pyrite, arsenopyrite, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, manganocolumbite, bismuthinite, native bismuth, phosphates and carbonates. The exploration took place on the northern slope of the Viveiros stream, which is an affluent of the Sabor River. The waste-rock dumps and tailings were deposited on the hillside, close to the mine and are nowadays exposed to significant weathering and erosion, as they are not vegetated. The eroded material is transported by the Viveiros stream toward the Sabor River. A seasonal stream drains the tailings. The stream sediments samples were collected along the Viveiros stream, in the seasonal stream, in a seasonal spring at the bottom of the tailings, in the Sabor River and in other streams not affected by mine workings, following the mine influence along the Viveiros stream and in the Sabor River (1.2 km away from the mine workings). The data show that the degree of pollution increases along the Viveiros stream, especially in winter. The highest degree of pollution is for As, In, W, Sn and Bi. The sediments from the drainage of the main tailings are particularly polluted during winter, by Bi, In and Sn. The sedimentary precipitate from the spring is polluted in Cu, As, In, Sn, Ta, W, Bi, Zn, Nb, Ag, Sb and Ta. The sediments from the Sabor River are significantly polluted by As, Ag, In, Sn, W and Bi. The sediments from the regional streams, Viveiros stream and Sabor River have similar REE (NASC normalized) patterns (ΣREE = 131.7–185.9 mg/kg, La_N/Lu_N = 1.23–1.42 and Eu/Eu* = 1.02), while those from the seasonal stream, crossing the main tailings, are enriched in REE (ΣREE = 250.3–283.6 mg/kg, La_N/Lu_N = 1.6–2.09 and Eu/Eu* = 0.96). The general decrease in La_N/Lu_N values with increase in total Fe₂O₃ can be explained by the partitioning of HREE to the solid Fe-oxides phase. The sedimentary precipitate and coatings, which are mainly formed by Fe-oxy-hydroxides, but also contain jarosite, are impoverished in all REE. The impoverishment can be explained by the release of REE from the surface of the Fe-oxy-hydroxides, which occurs due to a local lowering of pH, caused by jarosite dissolution. During successive alternate cycles of wet and dry conditions, takes place the formation of Fe-oxy-hydroxides and jarosite in the sedimentary precipitate and coatings. The subsequent dissolution of jarosite releases acidity, thus promoting de-sorption of REE from the Fe-oxy-hydroxides mineral phases.     

Mineral deposits and Cu–Zn–As dispersion–contamination in stream sediments from the semiarid Coquimbo Region,Chile

This paper presents Cu–Zn–As geochemical data from stream sediment surveys carried out in the three main watersheds of the Coquimbo Region of Chile. This mountainous semiarid realm occupies an area of 40,656 km² between 29° and 32°S. Given that the area has a long historical record of mining activities, important environmental disturbances were expected. However, despite the detection of three major geochemical anomalies for Cu, Zn, or As, only one can be unmistakably linked to the development of mining–metal recovery procedures (Andacollo–Panulcillo). An investigation of the other two anomalies (Elqui and Hurtado) reveals three major causes that fully or partially account for them: (1) the type of ore deposit and associated hydrothermal alteration; (2) the regional structural setting (intensity of fracturing); and (3) climate–landscape. Cu–Au–As epithermal deposits/prospects along the so-called El Indio belt are here regarded as the sources of both the Elqui and Hurtado anomalies. The strong advanced argillic alteration present in some of the epithermal deposits/prospects of the El Indio belt may have induced the loss of the buffering capacity of rocks, and therefore favoured metal dispersion during later oxidation–leaching of sulphides. This applies to the Elqui and Hurtado anomalies. Conversely, given that the potassic, propylitic and phyllic alterations do not affect the buffering capacity of rocks, only minor metal dispersion is observed in relation to the Los Pelambres porphyry copper deposit. Besides, the epithermal belt is located within a highly fractured Andean domain (3,000–4,000 m of altitude), which may have conditioned the fast unroofing of ore deposits, contributed to enhanced circulation of meteoric waters, and eventually, to strong oxidation, and leaching of metals. Metal dispersion is aggravated during rainy years in response to strong El Niño episodes.     

黔北普宜地区水系沉积物地球化学特征及成矿预测

通过黔北普宜地区开展1∶5万水系沉积物测量工作,对研究区的地球化学特征进行初步研究,以获取成矿信息。对水系沉积物样品分析结果进行数理统计,运用成矿元素地球化学特征进行多元统计分析、单元素及组合异常分析,并运用奇异性分析方法对成矿异常进行识别。分析结果表明,Pb、Zn元素异常高值点较多、离散程度较高,地球化学和成矿地质条件优越,具有较好找矿前景。F与Li元素为显著正相关关系,氟病区锂的含量高,地质环境中含量较高的Li对地下水中氟的浓聚迁移可能有抑制作用。综合研究区已知矿化信息及地层构造格架,优选出铅锌成矿远景区4处,为普宜地区找矿潜力分析、成矿规律研究及地氟病预防治理提供科学依据。     

Distribution and enrichment of trace metals in marine sediments of Bay of Bengal,off Ennore,south-east coast of India

In order to avoid the pollution of trace metals in marine environment, it is necessary to establish the data and understand the mechanisms influencing the distribution of trace metals in marine environment. The concentration of heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, Co and Cd) were studied in sediments of Ennore shelf, to understand the metal contamination due to heavily industrialized area of Ennore, south-east coast of India. Concentration of metals shows significant variability and range from 1.7 to 3.7% for Fe, 284–460 μg g⁻¹ for Mn, 148.6–243.2 μg g⁻¹ for Cr, 385–657 μg g⁻¹ for Cu, 19.8–53.4 μg g⁻¹ for Ni, 5.8–11.8 μg g⁻¹ for Co, 24.9–40 μg g⁻¹ for Pb, 71.3–201 μg g⁻¹ for Zn and 4.6–7.5 μg g⁻¹ for Cd. For various metals the contamination factor (CF) and geoaccumulation index (I _geo) has been calculated to assess the degree of pollution in sediments. The geoaccumulation index shows that Cd, Cr and Cu moderately to extremely pollute the sediments. This study shows that the major sources of metal contamination in the Ennore shelf are land-based anthropogenic ones, such as discharge of industrial wastewater, municipal sewage and run-off through the Ennore estuary. The intermetallic relationship revealed the identical behavior of metals during its transport in the marine environment.     

Evidence of climatic change from oxygen and carbon isotope variations in sediments of a small arctic lake,Canada

Radiocarbon dating of the organic-rich sediments of Lake Illisarvik in the outer Mackenzie Delta indicates that formation of the lake occurred approximately 9500yr BP, with maximum expansion around 6000 yr BP. Sedimentation rates have remained relatively constant at an average of 0.3mm/yr. ¹³C results on biogenic and inorganic carbonates and organics indicate a change from dominantly terrestrial organics (?27 to ?28%₀) to submerged aquatic vegetation or plankton (?18 to ?23%₀) upon formation of the lake (9500yr BP), and a dramatic return to dominantly terrestrial organics at 5800yr BP (δ¹³C = ?27 to ?30%₀). This latter shift is accompanied by a drastic reduction in the macroflora and fauna populations. ¹⁸O results suggest that a warmer climate than today existed prior to the shift at 5800yr BP.     

Heavy metals in sediments as evidence for recent pollution and quasi-estuarine processes: an example from Lake Druzno,Poland

This article presents the results of a geochemical investigation of sediments from Lake Druzno (northern Poland), a reservoir fed by freshwater from the catchment, with periodic input of brackish water from Vistula Lagoon. This study analyzed the spatial variation in heavy metal content in surface sediments as well as the temporal changes in metal content in two sediment cores dated using the ²¹⁰Pb method. In the surface sediments, the highest metal concentrations were recorded in the northern part of the lake, with lower concentrations in the central and southern parts. Absolute values of metal concentrations in the cores were low, but normalization with respect to Al showed an increase during the second half of the 20th century. Mean enrichment factors (EF) in sediments from the second half of the 20th century ranged from insignificant (1–1.2) for Fe to (1.55–3.3) for Cu, Cd, Pb and Zn. The sediments deposited before 1950 had lower EF values (>1.5) and had low variability. Results from both the surface sediments and the cores indicate that the main source of lake pollution is brackish water intrusion from the Vistula Lagoon via the contaminated River Elbląg.     

The Oued Mellègue: Mining activity,stream sediments and dispersion of base metals in natural environments,North-western Tunisia

In the Northwest of Tunisia, mining works have occurred in an area of vital water reserves and resources (Oued Mellègue and Oued Mejerda), which represent nearly 81% of total potential of water in the region. Demographic growth, insufficient drinkable water, agriculture and industrial plants are factors responsible for the strong demand of this resource. Water supply is done by an interconnected battery of dams built on the major watercourses, the first of which, the Mellègue dam, was erected in the 1960s. Nowadays, most of the mines are closed for almost two decades although one is still active: (Jerissa for Fe). It is important to emphasise the fact that there are millions of cubic metres of abandoned tailings, mainly from Pb–Zn–Ba mines, which are not surveyed, representing a serious threat to the environment.     

Mineralogy and mineral chemistry of auriferous stream sediments from Al Wajh area, NW Saudi Arabia

A detailed ore microscopic study strengthened by fire assay data of Al Wajh stream sediments (Wadi Al Miyah, Wadi Haramil and Wadi Thalbah) in northwestern Saudi Arabia shows economic concentrations of gold in the silt fraction (40–63 μm). However, particles of extremely fine “dusty” gold (≤40 μm in size) were also identified in most stations as independent grains. The maximum gold content in the samples of Wadi Al Miyah is 13.61 wt%, which is reported for the heavy fraction (<40 μm). Maximum gold content in the heavy fractions of Wadi Haramil stream sediments amounts 6.90 g/t Au in a relatively coarse fraction (63–125 μm). It appears that the most fertile heavy fraction in gold among the analysed samples are those from Wadi Thalbah that have the highest index figure, which makes the placer gold in them more profitable from the economic point of view. The gold content in the heavy fractions of samples from Wadi Thalbah is economically high lying in the range 6.27–28.83 g/t Au, except for a sample collected at the upstream with 0.77 g/t Au. Al Wajh stream sediments (including the beach light and black sands) are also rich in Fe–Ti oxides, rutile and zircon, whereas monazite and thorite are much lesser. Mineral chemistry of magnetite indicates a distinct titanomagnetite variety (with 3.85 wt% TiO₂) which is consistent with the ore microscopic investigation. The titanomagnetite is V- and Cr-free, which indicates derivation from a more felsic source than a mafic one. No traces of U were found in zircon that sometimes bears up to 2.74 wt% Hf₂O₃. Chemical analyses of monazite show typical common contents of rare earth elements such as La, Ce, Nd and Sm. Thorite is either U-free or uranothorite varieties where the latter contains up to 31.79 wt% UO₂. One of the U-free thorite grains is Y-bearing and contains 7.13 wt% Y₂O₃.

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كيميائية المعادن من التحليل التقديري الناري لرسوبيات الوديان في منطقة الوجه- شمال غرب المملكة العربية السعودية

توضح الدراسة المجهرية للخامات المعدنية والتي تعضدها بيانات التحليل التقديري الناري لرسوبيات الوديان بمنطقة الوجه (وادي المياه، وادي حرامل، وادي ثلبة) في شمال المملكة العربية السعودية، أن هناك تركيزات اقتصادية للذهب في كسرة الغرين التي يتراوح حجمها من 40 إلى 63 ميكرومتر. في معظم الحالات المدروسة تم رصد حبيبات من الذهب الطليق متناهية الصغر (أقل أو تساوي 40 ميكروميتر). كما اتضح أيضا أن أعلى محتوى لفلز الذهب وجد في القطفات المعدنية الثقيلة دقيقة الحجم المأخوذة من وادي المياه والتي تقدر 13.61 جرام/الطن. أما المحتوى الأعلى في القطفات المعدنية الثقيلة الأكبر نسبيا في الحجم (تتراوح من 63 إلى 125 ميكروميتر) المأخوذة من الرواسب الوديانية بوادي حرامل يصل إلى 6.90 جرام/طن. ويبدو أن القطفات الثقيلة لرسوبيات وادي ثلبة الوديانية هي الأخصب من حيث محتوى الذهب وتلك العينات لها شكل مميز مما يجعل ذهب المراقد بذلك الوادي ذو ربحية مشجعة وذلك من الناحية الاقتصادية. وتتراوح التركيزات الاقتصادية للذهب في عينات وادي ثلبة بين 6.27 - 28.83 جرام/طن باستثناء عينة وحيدة تم تسجيل كمية ذهب بها لا تتعدى 0.77 جرام/طن. عينات الرواسب الوديانية بمنطقة الوجه (بما في ذلك الرمال الشاطئية السوداء والفاتحة اللون) غنية بمعادن خامات أكاسيد الحديد والتيتانيوم والروتيل والزيركون، بالإضافة إلى كميات أقل بكثير من معدني المونازيت والثوريت. وتوضح كيمياء المعادن أن معدن الماجنيتيت غني بالتيتانوماجنيتيت (ماجنيتيت تيتاني به 3.85% من ثاني أوكسيد التيتانيوم) وهو ما أثبتته أيضا الدراسة المجهرية. وهذا الماجنيتيت التيتاني لا يحتوي على عنصري الكروم والفاتيديوم مما يعطي دلالة على أن هذه الصخور فلسية أكثر منها مافية، وأن الزيركون الموجود لا يحتوي على عنصر اليورانيوم بينما يحتوي على أكسيد هافتيوم حتى 2.74%. أما التحاليل الكيميائية للمونازيت فإنها تظهر وجود كميات من العناصر الأرضية النادرة مثل اللانثاتوم والسيريوم والنيوديوم والسماريوم. أما معدن الثوريت فقد تم تسجيل نوعان منه أحدهما لا يحتوي على اليورانيوم أما الآخر فيحتوي على 31.79% من ثاني أوكسيد اليورانيوم. ولقد اكتشف في إحدى حبيبات الثوريت أنها لا تحتوي على اليورانيوم ولكنها تحتوي على عنصر أكسيد الأيتريوم تصل نسبته إلى 7.13%.

     

Distribution of copper, zinc, lead and cadmium concentrations in stream sediments from the Mapocho River in Santiago, Chile

The Mapocho river, which crosses downtown Santiago, is one of the most important rivers in contact with a population of about six million inhabitants. Anthropogenic activities, industrialization, farming activities, transport, urbanization, animal and human excretions, domestic wastes and copper mining have affected the river, contaminating it and its sediments with heavy metals. Concentration and distribution of Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd were studied with the purpose of determining their bioavailability and their relation with the characteristics of the sediments. Freshly deposited seasonal sediments were collected from 0–8 cm depths from 6 locations (S₁ to S₆) along the 30-km long channel length, in the four seasons of year on the following dates: May 2001 (D₁, autumn); August 2001 (D₂, winter); October 2001 (D₃, spring) and January 2002 (D₄, summer). The dried samples were sifted to obtain the < 63-μm sediment fraction, since it has been shown that large amounts of heavy metals are bound in the fine-grained fraction of the sediment. Cu and Zn were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry and Pb and Cd by square wave anodic stripping voltammetry. The highest concentrations of Cu (2850 μg g^− 1) were found in the northern part of the river (S₁, average D₁–D₄), near the mountains and a copper mine, and then decreased downstream to 209 μg g^− 1 (S₆). Total Zn showed an irregular variation, with higher values at S₁ (1290 μg g^− 1) and high values in some winter sampling (1384 μg g^− 1 S₄, S₅–D₂). Pb showed different trends, increasing from S₁ to S₆ (17 to 61 μg g^− 1), with the highest values in the summer samples (83 μg g^− 1, S₄–S₆, D₄), and total Cd increased slightly from mean values of 0.2 and 0.5 μg g^− 1. Partition into five fractions was made using Tessier's analytical sequential extraction technique; the residue was treated with aqua regia for recovery studies, although this step is not part of the Tessier procedure. The results show that Cu, Zn and Pb in the sediments were dependent on the sampling places along the river, and variation in two years was low (D₁–D₄). The highest values of total organic matter, carbonate and conductivity were found in S₆, which has the smallest size particles, while at S₁ the sediments were predominantly sand and contain larger amounts of silica. Cu associated with carbonate decreased gradually from 58% (1771 μg g^− 1, S₁) to 16% (32 μg g^− 1, S₆); Cu bonded to reducible fraction was almost constant (33% to 37%), and Cu associated with oxidizable fraction increased from 7% (S₁) to 34% (S₆), but copper content was lower (214 to 68 μg g^− 1). Zn had a similar fractionation profile. However, Pb bound to oxidizable fraction did not show significant percent variation along the river (20% to 19%), but the amount bounded was 4 to 12 μg g^− 1. The residual fraction increased from 24% to 41% (5 to 25 μg g^− 1, S₁ to S₆). The distribution of Cd in the sediment was almost independent of the sampling stations and was bound to carbonate, reducible and residual fraction in similar proportion. Cu and Zn at S₁ were mainly bound to carbonates and reducible phases with 91% and 73% (2779 and 965 μg g^− 1, respectively), and with a change in the pH and/or the redox potential of the sediment–water system, these contaminants could easily enter the food chain. In S₆ the amount of Cu and Zn in these phases was 50% and 53% (100 to 313 μg g^− 1, respectively).     

Geochemical characteristics of stream sediments from an urban-volcanic zone,Central Mexico: Natural and man-made inputs

Geochemical characteristics of stream sediments [n = 31; Upstream section: Zahuapan River (1–12) and Atoyac River (13–20); Downstream section (21–31)] from Atoyac River basin of Central Mexico have been evaluated. The study focuses on the textural, petrography and chemical composition of the fluvial sediments with the aim of analyzing their provenance, the chemical weathering signature and their potential environmental effects. The fluvial sediments are mostly composed of sand and silt sized particles dominated by plagioclase, pyroxenes, amphiboles, K-feldspar, biotite, opaque and quartz. The sediments were analyzed for determination of major (Al, Fe, Ca, Mg, Na, K, P, Si, Ti), trace elements (As, Ba, Be, Co, Cr, Cu, Mo, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sc, V, Y, Zn, Zr, Ga) and compared with Upper continental crust (UCC), source area composition and local background values. The elemental concentrations were comparable with the average andesite and dacitic composition of the source area and the local background values except for enrichment of Cu (56.27 ppm), Pb (34 ppm) and Zn (235.64 ppm) in the downstream sediments suggesting a significant external influence (anthropogenic). The fluvial sediments of Atoyac River basin display low CIA and PIA values implying predominantly weak to moderate weathering conditions in the source region. Based on the provenance discrimination diagrams and elemental ratios, it is understood that the collected sediments are derived from intermediate to felsic volcanic rocks dominated in the study region. Metal contamination indices highlight the enrichment of Cu, Pb, Zn, Mo, Cr and S clearly indicating the influences from natural (weathering and volcanic activity) and external (anthropogenic) sources. Ecological risk assessment results indicate that Cr, Ni and Zn will cause adverse biological effects to the riverine environment.