Wide-spaced sampling of humus in fennoscandia

In support of IGCP Project 259 (International Geochemical Mapping), a pilot survey designed to test the effectiveness of analysing dried humus collected at an extremely low sampling density (one composite sample per 23 000 km²) for geochemical mapping was carried out in 49 large catchment basins in Fennoscandia. The samples were analysed for their aqua-regia leachable contents of 30 elements by ICP-ES. The results were compared with those of till sampled at the same sites and with moss from previous surveys. The correlation with underlying bedrock was also studied.Geological features exert only a weak influence on the regional distribution of elements in humus. Exceptions are high levels of Ca and Sr in areas of carbonate bedrock and low contents of K in areas of Archean rocks. The distribution patterns of Co, Cr, Cu, Mg, Ni and Zn in humus coincide partly, and the levels correlate positively with those in till. The contents of Ni, Cr and Cu are lower in humus overlying acid magmatic rocks and arkose than other rock types.Pollution is the obvious source of high concentrations of Pb, Cd and Zn in southern Sweden and southern Norway. Acid fallout seems to cause leaching of Al, P and La from the humus horizon. The contents of these elements are low in the south where deposition of S and N is high and pH of rainwater is below 4.5. Deposition of sea salts gives high levels of Na, Mg, K and B along the coast of Norway and southern Sweden.The contents of several elements in humus correlate positively with the amount of organic matter (LOI). Comparison between four types of forest shows that the contents of Ca, Mg and Na in birch forest and of Cd, Mn, Pb and Zn in spruce forest are significantly higher than in other forest types. These features, however, are considered false and are due to sources such as atmospheric deposition of anthropogenic metals and sea salt.The results of the relatively strong chemical attack used for analyses of humus samples are less informative than those from till and overbank sediments. A weaker attack may have given more useful information. The humus horizon could be suited for environmental monitoring if used in global geochemical mapping.     

Source and distribution of metals in urban soil of Bombay,India, using multivariate statistical techniques

Simplification of a complex system of geochemical variables obtained from the soils of an industrialized area of Bombay is attempted by means of R-mode factor analysis. Prior to factor analysis, discriminant analysis was carried out taking rock and soil chemical data to establish the anthropogenic contribution of metals in soil. Trace elements (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) are expressed in terms of three rotated factors. The factors mostly indicate anthropogenic sources of metals such as atmospheric fallout, emission from different industrial chimneys, crushing operations in quarries, and sewage sludges. Major elements (Na, Mg, Al, Si, P, K, Ca, Ti, Mn, and Fe) are also expressed in terms of three rotated factors indicating natural processes such as chemical weathering, presence of clay minerals, and contribution from sewage sludges and municipal refuse. Summary statistics (mean, standard deviation, skewness, and kurtosis) for the particle size distribution were interpreted as moderate dominance of fine particles. Mineralogical studies revealed the presence of montmorillonite, kaolinite, and illite types of clay minerals. Thus the present study provides information about the metal content entering into the soil and their level, sources, and distribution in the area.     

Low-density geochemical mapping in Portugal

This paper reports the first results of a low-density geochemical survey covering the whole continental area of Portugal, taking both topsoils and active stream sediments as the sampling media. The data were obtained in a consistent way from 653 sites at a sampling density of 1 site/135 km². The samples were analysed for 31 elements by ICP-AES and after quality control the following 19 were selected: Al, As, Ba, Ca, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, La, Mg, Mn, Ni, P, Pb, Sr, Th, V and Zn. The baseline levels for these elements are presented. The first geochemical maps of Portugal were prepared and the geochemical patterns are generally well correlated to geological factors sometimes combined with anthropogenic influences. Some general trends can be observed between geochemical patterns and soils distribution.     

Spatial distribution and geochemical baselines of major/trace elements in soils of Medak district,Andhra Pradesh,India

Regional-scale variations in soil geochemistry were investigated with special reference to differences among soil groups and lithology in an area of 9,699 km² in Medak district, Andhra Pradesh, India. The concentrations of 29 elements (major: Si, Al, Fe, Mn, Mg, Ca, Na, K, Ti, P and trace: As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, F, Mo, Ni, Pb, Rb, Se, Sr, Th, U, V, Y, Zn, Zr) in 878 soil samples collected (557-topsoil, 321-subsoil) at a sampling density of 1 site/17 km² from 557 sites representative of all the soil types present in studied area were determined, and their elemental composition are discussed. The baseline levels of these elements in soils are determined over different lithological units for the identification of anomalous values relative to these. For the first time, geochemical maps for Medak district are prepared on 1:50,000 scale and the lithogeochemical database generated provides information on the lateral and vertical distribution of elements in soil. The spatial variations in the distribution of elements reflect underlying geologic characteristics. Box-plots reveal that the concentration of most of the elements in soils were not strongly dependent on the soil group but the soil-geochemistry abruptly changes with the change in the soil parent materials indicating that the distribution of elements is mostly influenced by the bedrock lithology and other natural processes acting on them. For instance, the concentrations of Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ti, V and Zn are high in soils developed on basaltic terrain while the soils developed on granitic and gneissic terrain exhibit high elemental concentrations of K, Pb, Rb, Si, Th and Y. Alfisols had relatively high contents of elements while entisols had lower concentrations of most of the elements. The database can be used in the chemical characterisation of different geological units as well as applications in various environmental and agricultural fields. The results indicate that regional geology is an important determinant of soil geochemical baselines for soil pollution assessment and further emphasizes the importance of determining background levels locally. The defined baselines can be used to establish background values for future soil surveys.     

贵州麻江蓝莓种植区基岩-土壤剖面元素地球化学特征

本文对麻江蓝莓核心产区种植剖面的地球化学特征进行分析,选取与蓝莓生长关系密切的K、Ca、Na、Mg、Fe、Al、Mn、Mo、Co、V、Se、Cr、Cu、Zn十四种元素作为研究对象,结果表明:土壤中元素的地球化学特征受植物根系、外援施肥、自然气候、土壤理化性质及母岩等多种因素影响。黏粒含量高的土壤剖面元素移动性较差,含量变化程度小。Se在垂直方向上的含量变化规律主要受土壤有机质含量影响,其他元素地球化学特征主要与母岩风化和淋溶作用等因素有关。基岩产状影响土壤元素在垂直方向上的变化,产状平缓的剖面各元素在下层累积较高,而基岩产状倾斜的剖面底层土壤元素随水流失,元素含量最高值大多都出现在次底层。剖面土壤中元素的地球化学特征与自然气候、土壤理化性质及母岩等因素有关,耕作层土壤元素主要受植物根系和外援施肥影响。     

Mineralogical and geochemical constraints on environmental impacts from waste rock at Taojiang Mn-ore deposit,central Hunan,China

The mineralogy and geochemistry of the waste rocks distributed at Taojiang Mn-ore deposit, central Hunan province, China, were studied using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), electron microprobe analysis (EMPA) fitted with energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrum (atomic emission spectra) ICP-MS (AES), with the aim of predicting the environmental impacts of weathering of the waste rocks. The mineralogical results from microscope observation and XRD and EMPA studies show that the waste rock is composed of black shale and minor Mn carbonates. The oxidation of sulfide minerals such as galena, pyrite and chalcopyrite is accompanied by decomposition of Mn carbonates and K-feldspar during exposure to atmospheric O₂. The geochemical characteristics of major, rare earth elements (REE) and trace elements of the waste rocks also show that the waste rock can be divided into black shale and Mn carbonate, and both of them are currently under chemical weathering. The major alkalies and alkaline elements (Ca, Mg, Na, K, Rb, Sr and Cs) and major elements (Fe, S and P) and heavy metals (Sc, V, Cr, Th, U, Sn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb, Mo, Cd, Sb, an Tl) are being released during weathering. The mobility of alkalis and alkaline elements Ca, Mg, Na, K, Rb, Sr and Cs is controlled by decomposition of Mn carbonates. The dispersion of Cr, Sc and Th (U) might be related to weathering of K-feldspar, and the release of the heavy metals Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb, Mo, Cd Sb and Tl is dominated by the breaking of sulfide minerals. The REE of the waste rocks and surrounding soils and the spidery distribution patterns of heavy metals in the waste rocks, the surrounding soils and the surface waters show that weathering of the waste rocks and bedrock might be the sources of heavy metal contamination for the surrounding soils and surface water system for the mining area. This is predicted by the mass-balance calculation by using Zr as an immobile element. Therefore, it is urgently necessary take measures to treat the waste rocks distributed throughout the area for the local environmental protection.     

Multifractal IDW interpolation and fractal filtering method in environmental studies: an application on regional stream sediments of (Italy), Campania region

In recent years environmental geochemical mapping has assumed an increasing relevance and separation of background values to evaluate pollution is, probably, even more critical than the separation between background and anomalies in mineral prospecting studies. The recognition of background values assumes particular relevance as a function of national environmental legislation, which fixes intervention limits for some elements, such as the harmful ones (e.g. As, Cd, Hg, Pb). In this paper a recently developed multifractal IDW interpolation method and a fractal filtering technique are applied to separate natural background and anthropogenic values for the compilation of environmental geochemical mapping from stream sediment samples of Campania region (Italy), where no mineralization occurs. To discuss the application of these recently developed techniques the elements Pb and U were selected because they show two completely different situations, the high Pb values being mostly of anthropogenic origin and high U values being mostly of geogenic origin. The new fractal filtering method works well in both extreme situations.     

Environmental geochemistry of core sediments from Serthalaikkadu creek,East coast of India

The Serthalaikkadu creek in Muthupet mangroves region is the only E–W trending coastal strip in the SE coast of India and it also acts as a barrier to natural disasters. Natural, anthropogenic signals and accumulation of elements were studied by collecting sediments from two cores. Textural parameters were studied in detail and carbonates (CaCO₃), organic carbon (OC), major (Si, Al, Fe, Na, K, Ca, Mg, P) and trace elements (Mn, Cr, Cu, Ni, Co, Pb, Zn) were determined. Textural parameters, CaCO₃, OC and Al-normalized pattern of elements indicate depositional events in core samples that can be directly related to natural events during the last decade. The calculated enrichment, anthropogenic factors and comparison of data indicate that the observed trace metals (especially Pb, Co) are enriched mainly due to the anthropogenic activities in the land as well as in the coastal zone (Palk Strait).     

甘肃公婆泉铜矿区植物地球化学特征

公婆泉铜矿区植被属荒漠植被类型,主要产出红沙（Ｒｅａｕｍｕｒｉａ ｓｏｏｎｇｒｉｃａ）、木本猪毛莱（Ｓａｌｓｏｌａ ａｒｂｕｓｃｕｌａ）及细枝盐爪爪（Ｋａｌｉｄｉｕｍ ｇｒａｃｌｅ）３种群落。植物可分为富Ｋ、Ｎａ贫Ｃａ、Ｍｇ和富Ｃａ、Ｍｇ贫Ｋ、Ｎａ两种生物地球化学类型。矿区植物中元素平均含量及变化系数大于背景区;元素含量矿区呈偏对数正态或双峰分布,背景区呈对数正态分布。Ｎａ、Ｋ、Ｍｇ、Ｃｕ、Ｐｂ、     

Element concentrations and variations along a 120-km transect in southern Norway – Anthropogenic vs. geogenic vs. biogenic element sources and cycles

Rock samples and the C-, B- and O-horizons of soils developed on these rocks were collected in forested areas along a 120-km south–north transect in southern Norway, passing through the city of Oslo. Forty samples (1 site/3 km) were analysed for 37 chemical elements (Ag, Al, As, Au, B, Ba, Bi, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ga, Hg, K, La, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Pb, S, Sb, Sc, Se, Sr, Te, Th, Ti, Tl, U, V, W and Zn) following an aqua regia digestion; pH (water extract) and loss on ignition were also determined. The O-horizon soils were additionally analysed for Pt. Gold is the only element that shows a clear anthropogenic peak in the O-horizon soils collected from the city of Oslo. Silver, Au, Bi, Cd, Hg, Pb, S, Sb, Se and Sr all show a strong enrichment in the O-horizon when compared to the underlying C-horizon or the bedrock along the full length of the transect. Neither geology nor anthropogenic input of elements dominate the observed patterns. The most important factors for the observed element concentrations in the O-horizon are weathering, uptake (or rejection) of elements by plants and the kinetics of decay of the organic material in the O-horizon. Climate, especially temperature and precipitation, has an important influence on the formation and decay rates of the organic soil layer. Acid precipitation will delay the decomposition of the organic layer and lead to a natural enrichment of several metals in the O-horizon. Land use change, deforestation and liming can all increase the decay kinetics of organic matter and thus result in a release of the stored element pool.     

天然气中金属微量元素的发现及其生态环境意义

为了开展天然气田生态地球化学评价和天然气藏的非常规地球化学勘查研究,首次引进地气测量的抽气采集法采集天然气中的微量元素并获得成功。利用等离子光谱分析法进行检测,发现川西天然气中含有51种微量元素,其属性有碱金属、碱土金属、稀有金属、过渡金属、主族元素、卤素和非金属,以元素周期表上的第四、五、六周期的元素为主。Zn、Ca、K、Na、P、Cu、Mg、Ba、Pb、Fe含量占总量的95%以上,其中以Zn和Ca含量最高,占总量的56.7%,K、Na、P、Cu含量次之。该发现不仅对天然气的成因、烃源、成藏过程的研究以及天然气的利用有重要作用,而且对天然气田上方生态环境的研究具有重要意义。     

Controls on As, Pb, and Mn distribution in community soils of an historical mining district, southwestern Colorado

 Rico, Colorado is a small mountain community that was developed before the turn of the century around and near underground lead-zinc-silver mines. Today, US regulatory concerns in such communities focus on the metal content, particularly of lead, in community soils. This study integrates bedrock geology, surficial geology, mineralogy and geochemistry in order to define the controls on metal distribution in Rico community soils. The principal constituents of concern are As, Pb, and Mn. The results show that mining-related sources are discrete and localized whereas natural sources, including bedrock (mean Pb content of 3 500 ppm), colluvium (mean Pb content of 1 410 ppm), and older alluvium (mean Pb content of 744 ppm) are wider spread and are the principal sources of metals in Rico community soils. Historical mining sites like Rico should be expected to have significant surficial expressions of mineralized bedrock. In these communities, it is important to accurately define the role of all metal sources as a foundation for determining environmental liabilities, cleanup guidelines, and health risk assessments. The application of geology and mineralogy in support of geochemical characterization is necessary to accurately define the origin and distribution of both anthropogenic and natural metal sources at such sites. Received: 27 December 1996 · Accepted: 21 February 1997     

华中地区几种土壤铁锰胶膜及其基质中某些元素的地球化学特点

通过对华北地区几种土壤和胶膜中某些性质及元素的相关分析和因子分析。比较了铁锰胶膜和基质土壤的性质及元素含量之间的关系。研究表明，（1）铁锰胶膜的pH值，粘粒含量，K2O,Na2O,MnO2，非晶质铁，铁的活化度，微量元素等的含量均比基质土壤的高，且差异显著；（2）铁锰胶膜富集重金属元素，Co,Ni,Cu和Zn等元素主要富集于胶膜的氧化锰矿物中，而Pb主要富集在氧化铁矿物中；（3）Mg在铁锰胶膜的形成过程中进一步淋溶，以致含量减少。     

Spatial geochemical variation of major and trace elements in the marine sediments of Mumbai Harbor Bay

The resulting concentration data sets of major (Na, K, Mg, Ca and Fe) and trace elements (Cu, Ni, Co and Mn) in bed and suspended sediments were used to evaluate the enrichment factor for anthropogenic influences and principal component analysis for identifying the origin of source contributions in the studied area. Normalization of metals to Fe indicated that high enrichment factors in the bed sediment were in the order of Co > Cu > Na > Ca > Ni except Mg, K and Mn while for suspended sediments, only Co has a high enrichment factor. High enrichment of Co and Cu reflected the contamination of sediments from anthropogenic sources. The high influence of Na and Ca in sediments may be caused for seawater salinization factor. A significant positive correlation among enrichment factors of various elements of interest suggests a common origin/identical behavior during transport in the sediment system.     

Heavy Metal Distributions and Source Tracing in the Lacustrine Sediments of Dongdao Island, South China Sea

The levels and depth distributions of As,Cd,Cu,Zn,Pb,Hg,Fe and Mn in two sediment cores DY2 and DY4 collected from the"Cattle Pond"of Dongdao Island,South China Sea,were determined and analyzed with the main objective to identify the sources of these elements and evaluate the corresponding sedimentological and geochemical processes.Lithological characters and sedimentary parameters such as LOI_(950℃),CaO,LOI_(550℃) and TOC indicate that the depth of 96 cm and 87 cm are the critical points for DY2 and DY4 cores,respectively.As,Cd,Cu,Zn,Hg and P are remarkably enriched in the ornithogenic sediments above the critical depth points;their concentration-versus-depth profiles are similar to those of TOC and LOIssooc;the ratios of As,Cd,Cu, Zn,Hg over Ca are significantly correlated with P/Ca.Statistical and comparative analyses of these elements' levels in the ornithogenic sediments of DY2 and DY4 strongly suggest that seabird droppings are the main source of these elements.Additionally,for the upper sediment layers of DY2 and DY4 cores,Fe oxide sorption mechanism,like organic matter,may also play an important role in the abundances of heavy metals.Heavy metal Pb has geochemical characteristics distinctly different from those of As,Cd,Cu,Zn,Hg and P,and its isotope composition indicates an origin of anthropogenic emissions from the surrounding countries.These geochemical characteristics in the orinithogenic sediments of Xisha Islands are compared with the studies in the remote Antarctic and Arctic regions.     

青岛城区土壤重金属环境地球化学研究

为研究青岛城区土壤的环境地球化学特征,对青岛市南区、市北区、四方区、李沧区、崂山区5区进行了广泛的土壤地质调查。在每1km2一个样品的取样密度下取得表层土样(0～10cm深度)319个,经前期处理后,利用多种仪器如X射线荧光光谱(XRF)、等离子体发射光谱(ICP-OES)和等离子体质谱(ICP-MS)等分析测得所有样品的72种元素的含量,本文探讨了重金属元素Cd、Cr、Cu、Ni、Pb和Zn及类金属元素As的含量分布。结果表明,人类活动导致表层土壤中元素Cd、Cu、Pb和Zn含量的增加,而元素As、Cr和Ni主要是地质起源,但也会受到人类活动的影响。其中Zn的含量值变化较大,Zn元素含量值增高的地区是工业、交通密集处等人类活动频繁的地区。     

Natural and anthropogenic budgets of a small watershed in the massif central (France): Chemical and strontium isotopic characterization of water and sediments

A small watershed (160 km²) located in the Massif Central (France) has been chemically, isotopically and hydrologically studied through its dissolved load, bed sediments and soils. This watershed is underlain by basaltic bedrock and associated soils in which the vegetation is dominated mainly by meadows.Dissolved concentrations of major ions (Cl, SO₄, NO₃, HCO₃, Ca, Na, Mg, K, Al and Si), trace elements (Rb and Sr) and strontium isotopes have been determined for two different hydrologic periods on the main stream of the Allanche river and its tributaries.The major objectives of this study were to characterize the chemical and isotopic signatures of each reservoir occurring in the watershed. Changes in chemical and isotopic signatures are interpreted in terms of fluctuations of the different components inputs: rainwater, weathering products, anthropogenic addition.Water quality may be influenced by natural inputs (rainwater, weathering processes) and anthropogenic additions (fertilizers, road salts, etc.). Precipitation serves as a major vehicle for dissolved chemical species in addition to the hydrosystem and, in order to constrain rain inputs, a systematic study of rainwaters is carried out over a one year period using an automatic collector. Corrections of rainwater addition using chloride as an atmospheric input reference were computed for selected elements and the Sr/Sr ratio. After such corrections, the geochemical budget of the watershed was determined and the role of anthropogenic additions evaluated through the relationship between strontium isotopes and major and trace element ratios. Thus, 10% of Ca and Na originate in rainwater input, 40 to 80% in fertilizer additions and 15 to 50% in rock weatheringThe cationic denudation rates for this watershed are around 0.3 g s^–1 km² during low water discharge and 0.6 g s^–1 km² in high water stage. This led to a chemical denudation rate of 5.3 mm/1000 years.For solid matter, the normalization of chemical species relative to parent rocks shows the depletion or enrichment in soils and sediments. The use of K and Ca as mobile reference illustrates the weathering state of soils and sediments relative to parent rocks. This weathering state for bed sediments range from 15 to 45% for the K normalization and from 2 to 50% for the Ca normalization. For the soils, the weathering state ranges from 15 to 57% for the K normalization and from 17 to 90% for the Ca normalization.     

广东三水盆地古近系心组生油层的元素地球化学特征

沉积物的元素地球化学特征是对沉积盆地水体环境以及古气候条件变化的响应。本文根据元素（Al、Fe、Mg、Ca、K、Na、P、V、Ni、Co、Cr、Cu、Zn、Sr、Ba、Cd、Li、Mn、Pb、Ti）的含量及其比值（Al/Ti、Fe/Mn、Sr/Ba、Mg/Ca、Sr/Ca、Na/Ca、V/Cr、Ni/Co、Ni/V）的变化，对三水盆地古近系心组红岗段生油层的沉积条件进行了系统分析。心组红岗段下部（亚段A）表现为较稳定的地球化学特征。各元素丰度及其比值指示这一时期陆源输入持续较高、且物源组成变化不大。由于海水入侵的影响，湖盆水体盐度相对较高，底部水体以弱氧化条件为主，O₂-H₂S界面位于水/沉积物界面附近。红岗段中上部（亚段B、C）的元素地球化学特征变化较为频繁且幅度很大，反映古气候和湖盆沉积条件的迅速变迁。在潮湿气候条件下，沉积物的地球化学特征表现为以Al、Ti为代表的外源元素含量及其比值较高，而Mg、Ca等盆内化学沉积元素含量较低。古氧气指标指示底部水体为还原环境，有利于有机质保存。因而，相应于较高的有机碳含量。在间歇性干旱时期，陆源输入减少，外源元素含量及其比值显著降低。随着蒸发作用的加强，水体盐度加大，内源元素丰度以及Mg/Ca、Sr/Ba、Sr/Ca和Na/Ca比值大幅度上升。底部水体为氧化环境，O₂-H₂S界面多位于水/沉积物界面或沉积物中。上述两种气候条件在红岗段中上部沉积时期交替出现。红岗段沉积后期由于淡水的长期输入，湖水出现逐渐淡化趋势。     

Separating anthropogenic from natural anomalies in environmental geochemistry

Environmental geochemistry has attracted increasing interest during the last decade. In Sweden, geochemical mapping is carried out with methods that allow the data to be used in environmental research, including sampling plant roots and mosses from streams, soils and bedrock. These three sample types form an integrated strategy in environmental research, as well as in geochemical exploration. However, one problem that becomes prominent in geochemical mapping is to distinguish the signals derived from natural sources from those derived from anthropogenic sources. So far, this has mostly been done by using different types of samples, for example, different soil horizons. This is both expensive and time-consuming.We are currently developing alternative statistical solutions to this problem. The method used here is PLSR (partial least squares regression analysis). In this paper, we present an initial discussion on the applicability of PLSR in differentiating anthropogenic anomalies from natural contents.PLSR performs a simultaneous, interdependent principal component analysis decomposition in both X- and Y-matrices, in such a way that the information in the Y-matrix is used directly as a guide for optimal decomposition of the X-matrix. PLSR thus performs a generalized multivariate regression of Y on X overcoming the multicollinearity problem of correlated X-variables. The advantage of PLSR is that it gives optimal prediction ability in a strict statistical sense.Bedrock geochemistry from different lithologies in the mapping area in southern Sweden (Y-matrix) is analyzed together with stream or soil data (X-matrix). By modelling the PLS-regression between these two data sets, separate multivariate geochemical models based on the different bedrock types were developed. This step is called the training or modelling stage of the multivariate calibration. These calibrated models are subsequently used for predicting new (X) geochemical samples and estimating the corresponding Y-variable values. Information is obtained on how much of the metal contents in each new geochemical sample correlate with the different modelled bedrock types.By computing the appropriate X-residuals, we obtain information on the anthropogenic impact that is also carried by these new samples. In this way, it is possible from one single geochemical survey to derive both conventional geochemical background data and anthropogenic data, both of which can be readily displayed as maps.The present study concerns development of data analysis methods. Examples of the applications of the methodology are presented using Pb and U. The results show the share of these contents in different sampling media that is derived from bedrock on the one hand, and from anthropogenic sources, on the other.     

Heavy Metal Distributions and Source Tracing in the Lacustrine Sediments of Dongdao Island,South China Sea

The levels and depth distributions of As, Cd, Cu, Zn, Pb, Hg, Fe and Mn in two sediment cores DY2 and DY4 collected from the ＂Cattle Pond＂ of Dongdao Island, South China Sea, were determined and analyzed with the main objective to identify the sources of these elements and evaluate the corresponding sedimentological and geochemical processes. Lithological characters and sedimentary parameters such as LOI950℃, CaO, LOI550℃ and TOC indicate that the depth of 96 cm and 87 cm are the critical points for DY2 and DY4 cores, respectively. As, Cd, Cu, Zn, Hg and P are remarkably enriched in the ornithogenic sediments above the critical depth points; their concentration-versus-depth profiles are similar to those of TOC and LOI550℃; the ratios of As, Cd, Cu, Zn, Hg over Ca are significantly correlated with P/Ca. Statistical and comparative analyses of these elements＇ levels in the ornithogenic sediments of DY2 and DY4 strongly suggest that seabird droppings are the main source of these elements. Additionally, for the upper sediment layers of DY2 and DY4 cores, Fe oxide sorption mechanism, like organic matter, may also play an important role in the abundances of heavy metals. Heavy metal Pb has geochemical characteristics distinctly different from those of As, Cd, Cu, Zn, Hg and P, and its isotope composition indicates an origin of anthropogenic emissions from the surrounding countries. These geochemical characteristics in the orinithogenic sediments of Xisha Islands are compared with the studies in the remote Antarctic and Arctic regions.