Abundances and modes of occurrence of trace elements in the Çan coals (Miocene), Çanakkale-Turkey

This study presents the concentrations and modes of occurrence of trace elements in 81 coal samples from the Çan basin of northwestern Turkey. The concentration of trace elements in coal were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry. Additionally, traditional coal parameters were studied by proximate, ultimate, X-ray diffraction, and petrographic analyses. Twenty trace elements, including As, B, Ba, Be, Cd, Cu, Co, F, Hg, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se Sn, Th, Tl, U, V, and Zn, receive much attention due to their related environmental and human health concerns. The Çan coals investigated in this study are lignite to sub-bituminous coal, with a broad range of ash yields and sulphur contents. The trace element concentrations show variety within the coal seams in the basin, and the affinities vary among locations. The concentrations of B, Ba, Be, Cd, Cu, Co, F, Hg, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Sn, Tl, and Zn in Çan coals are within the Swaine's worldwide concentration range, with the exception of As, Th, U, and V. On the other hand, compared with world coals, the Çan basin coals have higher contents of As, B, Cu, Co, Mo, Pb, Th, U, V, and Zn. Based on statistical analyses, most of the trace elements, except for U, show an affinity to ash yield. Elements including As, Cd, Hg, Se, Cu, Mo, Ni, and Zn, show a possible association with pyrite; however, the elements Se, B, and Mo can be have both organic and inorganic associations.     

甘肃北山金、铜矿床红沙的植物地球化学特征及其找矿意义

北山地区植被属戈壁荒漠植被类型，主要植物群落为红沙，红沙中多数元素特别是成矿元素及其伴生元素的含量和变化系数矿区大于背景区，元素含量背景区呈对数正态分布，矿区呈偏对数正态或多峰分布，红沙中的元素组合分类背景区为Au,Cu,Pb,Zn,As,Sb,Mo,V,Mn和Ag,Sn,Sr,Ba及Ti,Cr,Co,Ni,金矿区为Au,Ag,As,Sb,Mo,Mn,Sr和Cu,Pb,Zn,Sn,Ba及Co,Ni,Ti,V,Cr,铜矿区为Cu,Pb,Zn,Mo,Au,Ag,Ba和As,Sb,Sn,Mn及Ti,V,Cr,Co,Ni,Sr，矿区红沙中浓集系数较大的元素多数在矿区岩石中的浓集系统亦较大，金，铜矿床红沙和岩石中的特征元素分别都有Au,Ag,Ag,Sb,Mo,(Mn)和Cu,Pb,(Ba,Ti,Cr)。在金，铜矿床（体上方分别发育有良好的Au和Cu的生物地球化学异常和元素组合及分带，根据红沙的地球化学特征能，判断金或铜矿种类型，并能对掩埋，隐伏金，铜矿床（体）进行定位预测。     

Atmospheric pollution indicated by trace elements in snow from the northern slope of Cho Oyu range,Himalayas

Samples collected from a 0.87 m snow pit at a high altitude site in the Cho Oyu range, Himalayas were measured for V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Rb, Sr, Cd, Sn, Sb, Ba, Tl, Pb, Bi, Th, and U using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. In addition, major ions, oxygen stable isotopes, and microparticles were also measured to assist the interpretation of seasonal variation of trace elements. The trace elements show a distinct seasonality, i.e., higher concentrations during the non-monsoon season than those during the monsoon season. Significant correlation is observed between Ba and the other trace elements. Crustal enrichment factor (EF_c) analysis indicates that V, Mn, Co, Ni, Rb, Sr, and Th originate mainly from crustal dust, while anthropogenic inputs make an important contribution to the other trace elements (i.e., Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Sn, Sb, Ti, Pb, Bi, and U). Evidence from air mass back trajectories suggests that atmospheric trace element pollution reaching the studied area is transported dominantly by Indian summer monsoon during the monsoon season, while it is transported mainly by the westerlies during the non-monsoon season.     

电感耦合等离子体发射光谱-逐级化学提取法研究低硫煤矸石中微量元素的赋存状态及其环境效应

煤矸石是我国堆存量最大的工业固体废物,本文应用电感耦合等离子体发射光谱法、逐级化学提取法和相关性分析研究了淮北临涣矿区低硫煤矸石中10种微量元素的含量及赋存状态,并运用风险评价指数法评价其环境效应。结果表明,低硫煤矸石中Ba、Co、Cr、Mn、Ni、Pb、V含量均高于淮北煤和中国煤均值,Mn、V的富集系数大于1,有一定迁移风险。微量元素主要以残渣态和铁锰氧化物结合态存在,两者质量分数之和为68.87%~92.93%,其中Cd、Co、Cr、Cu、Ni、Pb、Zn赋存于硫化物矿物中,V赋存于黏土矿物中,Mn赋存于碳酸盐矿物和硫化物矿物中。10种微量元素对环境的危害性大小为:MnZnNiPbCdCuBaVCrCo,表明低硫煤矸石堆存过程中活性态Mn对生态环境造成危害的可能性最大,由Mn可能引起的煤矸石山周边地区土壤及水体污染应当重视。     

湘中安化黑色页岩土壤玉米的元素地球化学分析

利用等离子质谱(ICP-MS)等分析技术,对产于安化东坪、烟溪黑色页岩土壤上的玉米进行元素地球化学分析.结果.表明:尽管东坪、烟溪黑色页岩土壤重金属元素富集的程度及其元素组合特征明显不同,但生长在其上的玉米有相似的主量元素和重金属元素的富集特征.玉米中Cd、Cr、Sc、Tl、Zn等重金属相对富集,以Cd的富集尤为明显;而Ba、Co、Cu、Fe、Mo、Ni、Pb、Sb、U、V等重金属相对亏损.黑色页岩土壤重金属污染的环境地球化学效应表现为Sc、Cr、Cd、Tl等生物毒性重金属元素在玉米中富集,而Ba、V、Co、Ni、Mo、Rb、Sr等生物必需微量金属在玉米中亏损.     

ICP-AES在新疆哈拉奇地区水系沉积物样品分析中的应用研究

本文采用四酸溶样ICP6300电感耦合等离子体发射光谱法测试了新疆哈拉奇地区水系沉积物样品中的Li P Ti V Cr Mn Co Ni Cu Zn Sr Y Nb Mo Ba La Pb B W Sn Cd 21种微量元素,明确了该方法测试样品中的Li P Ti V Cr Mn Co Ni Cu Zn Sr Y Nb Mo Ba La 16个元素的检出限、准确度、精密度满足规范（DZ/T0130.2006-2006）要求,而Pb B Cd Sn W5个元素测试质量不能满足规范要求,并对新疆哈拉奇地区水系沉积物采样粒度样品进行了分析测试,验证了该区化探扫面选择10-80目粒度是合适的,但在异常查证工作中要选择10-60目采样粒度更合理。     

Concentration and distribution of elements in Late Permian coals from western Guizhou Province,China

With the aim of better understanding geochemistry of coal, 71 Late Permian whole-seam coal channel samples from western Guizhou Province, Southwest China were studied and 57 elements in them were determined. The contents of Al, Ca, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ga, Hf, K, Li, Mn, Mo, Nb, Ni, Sn, Ta, Ti, Th, U, V, Zr, and REEs in the Late Permian coals from western Guizhou Province are higher than the arithmetic means for the corresponding elements in the US coals, whereas As, Ba, Br, F, Hg, P, Se, and Tl are lower. Compared to common Chinese coals, the contents of Co, Cr, Cu, Ga, Hf, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, Sc, Sn, Ti, U, V, Zn, and Zr in western Guizhou coals are higher, and As, F, Hg, Rb, Sb, Tl, and W are lower. Five groups of elements may be classified according to their mode of occurrence in coal: The first two, Group A, Tm–Yb–Lu–Y–Er–Ho–Dy–Tb–Ce–La–Nd–Pr–Gd–Sm, and Group B, As–Sr–K–Rb–Ba–F–Ash–Si–Sn–Ga–Hf–Al–Ta–Zr–Be–Th–Na, have high positive correlation coefficients with ash yield and they show mainly inorganic affinity. Some elements from Group B, such as Ba, Be, Ga, Hf, and Th, are also characterized by significant aluminosilicate affinity. In addition, arsenic also exhibits high sulfide affinity (r_S–Fe>0.5). The elements, which have negative or lower positive correlation coefficients with ash yield (with exceptions of Bi, Cs, Nb, Mn, Se, and Ti), are grouped in other four associations: Group C, Cr–V–Mo–U–Cd–Tl; Group D, Hg–Li–Sc–Ti–Eu–Nb–Cs–W; Group E, Bi–Sb; and Group F, Co–Ni–Cu–Pb–Zn–Mg–Se–Ca–Mn–S–Fe. The correlation coefficients of some elements, including Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Li, Mo, Ni, P, S, Sc, U, V, and Zn, with ash yield are below the statistically significant value. Only Cr and Cu are negatively correlated to ash yield (−0.07 and −0.01, respectively), showing intermediate (organic and inorganic) affinity. Manganese and Fe are characterized by carbonate affinity probably due to high content of epigenetic veined ankerite in some coals. Phosphorus has low correlation coefficients with any other elements and is not included in these six associations. There are five possible genetic types of enrichment of elements in coal from western Guizhou Province: source rock, volcanic ash, low-temperature hydrothermal fluid, groundwater, and magmatic hydrothermal inputs.     

Trace metal fluxes to ferromanganese nodules from the western Baltic Sea as a record for long-term environmental changes

Trace element profiles in ferromanganese nodules from the western Baltic Sea were analyzed with laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (LA-ICP-MS) and synchrotron-based micro-X-ray radiation techniques (fluorescence: μSXRF and diffraction: μXRD) at high spatial resolution in growth direction. Zn showed the only significant enrichment of the trace elements studied (Zn, Cu, Cd, Ni, Co, Mo and Ba), with values in the outermost surface layers of up to sixfold higher than those found in older core parts. The high-resolution Zn profiles provide the necessary temporal resolution for a dating method analogous to dendrochronology. Profiles in various samples collected for two decades were matched, and the overlapping sections were used for an estimation of the accretion rates. Assuming a continuous accretion of these relatively fast-growing nodules (on the average of 20 μm year⁻¹ over the last century), the Zn enrichment was assessed to have commenced around 1860/1870 in nodules from the Kiel Bight (BG) and in 1880/1890 in those from Mecklenburg Bight (MB). Apart from the obvious success with Zn, other anthropogenic trace metals like Cu and Cd are not enriched at all, which, together with the distinct early diagenetic Fe/Mn banding, weaken the potential of the nodules for retrospective monitoring.     

Selective chemical extraction of heavy metals in tailings and soils contaminated by mining activity: Environmental implications

Total concentrations of chemical elements in soils may not be enough to understand the mobility and bioavailability of the elements. It is important to characterise the degree of association of chemical elements in different physical and chemical phases of soil. Another geochemical characterisation methodology is to apply sequential selective chemical extraction techniques. A seven-step sequential extraction procedure was used to investigate the mobility and retention behaviour of Al, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cr, Co, Ni, Mo, Cd, Bi, Sn, W, Ag, As and U in specific physical–chemical and mineral phases in mine tailings and soils in the surroundings of the abandoned Ervedosa mine. The soil geochemical data show anomalies associated with mineralised veins or influenced by mining. Beyond the tailings, the highest recorded concentrations for most elements are in soils situated in mineralised areas or under the influence of tailings. The application of principal components analysis allowed recognition of (a) element associations according to their geochemical behaviour and (b) distinction between samples representing local geochemical background and samples representing contamination. Some metal cations (Mn, Cd, Cu, Zn, Co, Cr, Ni) showed important enrichment in the most mobilisable and bioavailable (i.e., water-soluble and exchangeable) fractions due likely to the acidic conditions in the area. In contrast, oxy-anions such as Mo and As showed lower mobility because of adsorption to Fe oxy-hydroxides. The residual fraction comprised largest proportions of Sn and Al and to a lesser extent Zn, Pb, Ni, Cr, Bi, W, and Ag, which are also present at low concentrations in the bioavailable fractions. The elements in secondary mineral phases (mainly Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, W, Bi, Mo, Cr, Ni, Co, As and U) as well as in organic matter and sulphides are temporarily withheld, suggesting that they may be released to the environment by changes in physico-chemical conditions.     

Comparative geochemistry of shell phosphorites and dictyonema shales of the Baltic

Major and trace element composition of the Ordovician Obolus phosphorites and associated Dictyonema shales were determined by ICP-MS and chemical and microchemical elemental analyses. Relative to the phosphorites, the Dictyonema shales are substantially enriched in a variety of trace elements, except for As, Be, Co, Y, REE, Sr, and Pb. The Obolus phosphorites show enrichment of As, Bi, Hg, Mo, La, Y, Pb, and Sr and depletion of Ag, Ba, Be, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hf, Ni, Sc, Sn, U, V, Zn, and Zr relative to the world average phosphorite composition. The average trace element composition of the Dictyonema shales is close to the mean shale composition, except for higher contents of Mo, Hg, Pb, Se, Ta, Te, Th, V, and U and lower contents of Ba, Bi, Cd, Co, Re, Sr, and Zn. The results suggest that the change from phosphate sedimentation in aerated environments to anoxic carbonaceous sedimentation was accompanied by changes in the composition and concentration of trace elements in the sediment. Both facies show similar trends of trace element distribution indicative of the stability of the composition of seawater and terrigenous sediment input.     

Proton-induced X-ray emission measurements of trace elements in water samples collected from an Indiana coal mining locality

A new method of simultaneous multi-elemental analysis, Proton Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE), was used to detect trace elements in waters associated with a coal strip-mining operation in southern Indiana. Stream, pond, and ground water samples were collected and analyzed monthly from, or near, Sulphur Creek in Sullivan County. The concentrations of 26 major and trace elements were determined in samples from eleven locations: K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, As, Se, Br, Rb, Sr, Mo, Cd, Sn, Sb, I, Ba, Hg, Pb, and U. Elemental concentrations fluctuated considerably throughout the 13-month sampling period and also among sampling sites. Nickel, Zn, As, Cd, Mn, Fe, and Ca were highest in the upstream water which was most acidic (pH = 2.9–4.0) because of old unreclaimed mining operations. The highest values recorded were Ni = 1662 ppb, Zn = 4953 ppb, As = 26 ppb, Cd = 93 ppb, Mn = 5063 ppb, Fe = 63 ppm, and Ca = 325 ppm. The concentrations of these elements decreased downstream as the pH of Sulphur Creek increased which was likely due to the influence of the calcareous glacial till cover in the area and the recent mining activity which disturbed overburden containing a high percentage of calcareous materials. Lead, I, Br, and Ti values were highest (661 ppb, 86 ppb, 70 ppb, and 45 ppb, respectively) in the ground water from the coal seam (pH approximately 7). Other elements which were relatively high in the pH 7 waters closest to the current mining operations (pond, stream, and groundwater) included K (17 ppm), Sr (3408 ppb), Ba (173 ppb), As (14 ppb), Rb (16 ppb), Sn (14 ppb), and Cu (3840 ppb). The highest Cu concentration was recorded at the point where drainage water from the mine entered Sulphur Creek. Gallium, U, Hg, and Mo were found in low (< 13 ppb for Ga and Hg; < 205 ppb for Mo and U) concentrations and only in the ponds within the mine.     

作物产量与土壤环境的关系

作物的产量与土壤元素中Ｎ、Ｐ、Ｋ、Ｎａ、Ｃａ、Ｍｇ、Ｓ、Ｆｅ、Ｍｎ、Ｃｕ、Ｚｎ、Ｂ、Ｍｏ、Ｖ、Ｃｏ、Ｎｉ、Ｃｒ、Ｐｂ、Ｃｄ、Ｈｇ、Ｓｅ、Ｆ、ＴＩ、Ｂａ、Ｔｅ、Ｔａ、Ｓｒ、Ｔｉ、Ｓｉ等元素及稀土、有机质、酸碱度和含水量、含盐量密切有关。     

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(Linné),Pitar-rudis(Poll),Nassarius reticulatus(Linné),Venerupis senescens (Coocconi),Mytilus galloprovincialis(Lamarck),Mytilaster lineatus(Gemelin in Linné)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.     

Pyrite geochemistry in the Toarcian Posidonia Shale of south‐west Germany: Evidence for contrasting trace‐element patterns of diagenetic and syngenetic pyrites

Authigenic pyrite grains from a section of the Lower Toarcian Posidonia Shale were analysed for their trace‐element contents and sulphur‐isotope compositions. The resulting data are used to evaluate the relationship between depositional conditions and pyrite trace‐element composition. By using factor analysis, trace‐elements in pyrite may be assigned to four groups: (i) heavy metals (including Cu, Ni, Co, Pb, Bi and Tl); (ii) oxyanionic elements (As, Mo and Sb); (iii) elements partitioned in sub‐microscopic sphalerite inclusions (Zn and Cd); and (iv) elements related to organic or silicate impurities (Ga and V). Results indicate that trace‐element contents in pyrite depend on the site and mechanism of pyrite formation, with characteristic features being observed for diagenetic and syngenetic pyrites. Diagenetic pyrite formed within anoxic sediments generally has a high heavy metals content, and the degree of pyritization of these elements increases with increasing oxygen deficiency, similar to the degree of pyritization of reactive Fe. The highest gradient in the increase of the degree of trace element pyritization with bottom‐water oxygenation was found for the elements Ni < Cu < Mo = As < Tl. In contrast, syngenetic pyrite formed within a euxinic water column typically is enriched in As, Mo and Sb, but is low in heavy metals, and the geochemical variation reflects changes in sea water composition.     

Specifics of the elemental composition of waters in environments with operating mining and ore-processing plants in the Kola North

The paper presents data on the specifics of the distributions of chemical elements in natural waters of the Kola North depending on the landscape–geochemical characteristics of the water catchment areas and aerotechnogenic pollution. The territory is subdivided into seven zones with different dominant rock types and typical landscapes. Lakes in the Kola region generally contain elevated concentrations of Cu, Ni, Co, Cr, V, Mo, U, Sb, Bi, Al, Fe, Mn, Sr, Li, Rb, Pb, Zn, Cd, La, and Ce. The waters of lakes in the influence zones of Cu–Ni mines are enriched in La, Ce, Sm, Gd, Pr, and Nd. In waterlogged landscapes, waters are enriched in certain trace elements because of their migration with humic acids. Technogenic acidic precipitation is proved to result in leaching of several elements, first of all Cd, Zn, and As (as well as other elements contained in rocks composing the water catchment areas) and their transfer into the waters.     

Composition of water and suspended sediment in streams of urbanized subtropical watersheds in Hawaii

Urbanization on the small subtropical island of Oahu, Hawaii provides an opportunity to examine how anthropogenic activity affects the composition of material transferred from land to ocean by streams. This paper investigates the variability in concentrations of trace elements (Pb, Zn, Cu, Ba, Co, As, Ni, V and Cr) in streams of watersheds on Oahu, Hawaii. The focus is on water and suspended particulate matter collected from the Ala Wai Canal watershed in Honolulu and also the Kaneohe Stream watershed. As predicted, suspended particulate matter controls most trace element transport. Elements such as Pb, Zn, Cu, Ba and Co exhibit increased concentrations within urbanized portions of the watersheds. Particulate concentrations of these elements vary temporally during storms owing to input of road runoff containing elevated concentrations of elements associated with vehicular traffic and other anthropogenic activities. Enrichments of As in samples from predominantly conservation areas are interpreted as reflecting agricultural use of fertilizers at the boundaries of urban and conservation lands. Particulate Ni, V and Cr exhibit distributions during storm events that suggest a mineralogical control. Principal component analysis of particulate trace element concentrations establishes eigenvalues that account for nearly 80% of the total variance and separates trace elements into 3 factors. Factor 1 includes Pb, Zn, Cu, Ba and Co, interpreted to represent metals with an urban anthropogenic enrichment. Factor 2 includes Ni, V and Cr, elements whose concentrations do not appear to derive from anthropogenic activity and is interpreted to reflect mineralogical control. Another, albeit less significant, anthropogenic factor includes As, Cd and U and is thought to represent agricultural inputs. Samples collected during a storm derived from an offshore low-pressure system suggest that downstream transport of upper watershed material during tradewind-derived rains results in a 2-3-fold dilution of the particulate concentrations of Pb, Zn and Cu in the Ala Wai canal watershed.     

Release of heavy metals during weathering of the Lower Cambrian Black Shales in western Hunan,China

Weathering of heavy metal enriched black shales may be one of the most important sources of environmental contamination in areas where black shales are distributed. Heavy metal release during weathering of the Lower Cambrian Black Shales (LCBS) in western Hunan, China, was investigated using traditional geochemical methods and the ICP-MS analytical technique. Concentrations of 16 heavy metals, 8 trace elements and P were measured for samples from selected weathering profiles at the Taiping vanadium ore mine (TP), the Matian phosphorous ore mine (MT), and Taojiang stone-coal mine (TJ). The results show that the bedrock at these three profiles is enriched with Sc, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb, Th, U, Mo, Cd, Sb, Tl, and P. Based on mass-balance calculation, the percentages of heavy metals released (in % loss) relative to immobile element Nb were estimated. The results show significant rates of release during weathering of: V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, U, Mo, Cd, Sn, Sb, and Tl for the TP profile; Sc, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb, Th, Cd, and Sn for the MT profile; and Sc, Mn, Co, Ni, Zn, Th, Cd, Sn, and Tl for the TJ profile. Among these heavy metals, Co, Ni, Zn, Cd, and Sn show very similar features of release from each of the three weathering profiles. The heavy metals released during weathering may affect the environment (especially topsoil and surface waters) and are possibly related to an observed high incidence of endemic diseases in the area.     

Effects of coal fly ash amended soils on trace element uptake in plants

Variations in As, Ba, Bi, Cd, Co, Cu, Hg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Sn, Th, Tl, U, W, and Zn uptake were evaluated in young, middle-aged, and mature basil, tomato, zucchini, and sunflower plants grown in soils amended with 5, 10, and 20% by weight fly ash. Elements susceptible to uptake with increasing fly ash were As and Tl, with As exceeding potentially toxic levels in basil and zucchini. Temporal variations in element uptake included (1) increasing Ba and Cd concentrations in tomato and As, Ba, Cd, and Tl in zucchini, (2) decreasing Co concentrations in tomato, zucchini, and sunflower, Ni in zucchini, and Tl in basil, and (3) increasing As and Ni concentrations in basil and Pb in zucchini and sunflower during early growth followed by decreasing concentrations at maturity. Although most of the trace elements were below reported toxic levels, the elevated concentrations of As in plant tissue suggests that fly ash treatment programs can lead to potentially toxic accumulations of As, and thus, should be carefully monitored.     

Suboxic trace metal geochemistry in the Eastern Tropical North Pacific

We analyzed Al, Ti, Fe, Mn, Cu, Ba, Cd, U, Mo, V, and Re in water column, settling particulate, and sediment (0 to 22 cm) samples from the intense oxygen minimum zone (OMZ) of the eastern tropical North Pacific near Mazatlán, Mexico. The goal was to determine how the geochemistry of these elements was influenced by suboxic water column conditions and whether the sediments have a unique “suboxic” geochemical signature.The water column was characterized by a Mn maximum, reaching ∼8 nmol kg⁻¹ at 400 m. Concentrations of Cu, Ba, Cd, Mo, Re, U, and V were unaffected by the low O₂ conditions and were comparable to those of the open ocean. Sinking particles were composed of lithogenic particles of detrital origin and nonlithogenic particles of biogenic origin. Al, Ti, and Fe were mostly (at least 79%) lithogenic. About 75% of the Mn was nonlithogenic. Significant amounts (at least 58%) of Cu, Ba, Cd, and Mo were nonlithogenic.Sediment geochemistry varied across the continental shelf and slope. Cadmium, U, and Re have prominent maxima centered at 310 m, with 12.3 ppm, 10.9 ppm, and 68.3 ppb, respectively, at the core top. High values of Mo (averaging 6.8 ppm) and V (averaging 90 ppm) are seen in OMZ surface sediment. Additional down-core enrichment occurs for all redox-sensitive elements in the top 10 cm. For U, Mo, V, and Re, surface sediments are a poor indicator of metal enrichment. Comparison of the nonlithogenic composition of sediments with sinking particles suggests that direct input of plankton material enriched in metals makes a significant contribution to the total composition, especially for Cd, U, and Mo.We evaluated Re/Mo and Cd/U ratios as tracers for redox environments. Rhenium and Mo concentrations and Re/Mo ratios do not lead to consistent conclusions. Concurrent enrichments of Re and Mo are an indicator of an anoxic depositional environment. In contrast, high Re/Mo ratios are an indicator of suboxic conditions. Cadmium is enriched in surface sediments, while U has considerable down-core enrichment. The concentrations of Cd and U and the Cd/U ratio do not follow patterns predicted from thermodynamics. Though the water column is suboxic, these four redox-sensitive elements indicate that the sediments are anoxic. The implication for paleostudies is that a trace metal sediment signature that indicates anoxic conditions is not necessarily attributable to an anoxic water column.     

Geochemistry and Behavior of Trace Elements During the Complete Evaporation of the Merouane Chott Ephemeral Lake: Southeast Algeria

The Merouane Chott, located in arid southeastern Algeria, experiences annual cycles of filling from September through February followed by its complete evaporation from February through June. The concentration of 15 trace elements (Li, B, Ti; V, Cr, Mn, Co, Cu, Ni, Zn, As, Sr, Ba, Pb, Bi, and U) were measured in chott water samples collected from January through June 2003 during the complete evaporation of the lake. The corresponding concentrations of these trace elements in the major external inputs to this closed basin chott were also obtained. The trace metals show two distinct behaviors. Li, B, Cr, Co, and U tend to be conserved in the chott waters throughout its evaporation. Much of Cr, Co, and U originated from external sources. It is likely, therefore, that the concentration of these elements will increase in the chott waters in future years. In contrast, Ti, Sr, Ba, Zn, Ni, and Pb precipitate continuously during chott evaporation. Of these elements, most of the Sr, Ba, and Zn originated from outside the chott, and thus it is likely these elements will become increasingly concentrated in the chott bottom salts with time. V, As, and Cu exhibit intermediate behaviors. These contrasting behaviors are confirmed by analysis of chott bottom solids.