Dilute-acid trace-metal fraction in northeastern Gulf of Mexico sediments

Variations in dilute-acid (partial digest) metal concentrations in bottom sediments from 49 stations on the Mississippi, Alabama and Florida continental margin are investigated with the aid of ordination and other multivariate statistical techniques. Total iron, carbonate content, clay fraction and water depth correlate well with the overall leachable sediment metal values for pooled station replicates over four sampling periods. Individual metal concentrations also are correlated with these and other environmental parameters using stepwise multiple linear regression techniques. A weak positive association between Ba, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, and V burdens in the demersal fishSyacium papillosum and the dilute-acid leachable sediment metal TOC and carbonate concentrations is demonstrated.