The distribution of trace metals in the western North Atlantic off Nova Scotia

The distributions of Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Ni, Cd and Co have been determined in a section across the Scotian Shelf into the Atlantic Slope water. Significant differences in concentration exist for most of the trace metals between the four water masses in the section. Depletions of trace metal concentration in the highly productive Atlantic Slope water relative to the underlying Central Atlantic water are thought to be due to biological activity.The distributions of Fe and Mn are strongly related to the distribution of suspended particulate matter. The concentrations of Fe and Mn, extracted from the suspended matter on the Scotian Shelf, are considerably higher than those in the non-detrital fraction of the underlying sediments. This suggests that post-depositional changes cause the loss of both elements from the non-detrital fraction of the particles. Whereas Mn shows major nearshore increases in concentration related to continental runoff, nearshore Fe concentrations are largely controlled by particulate matter distribution. Continental runoff does not appear to have much influence upon the distributions of the other trace metals.