Sediments trace metal distribution

Fig. 6.4 Calculated, estimated, or apparent salting out constants for various chemicals (a) selected aromatic compounds, (b) selected aliphatic compounds, (c) natural or surrogate hgands, (d) anthropogenic ligands, (e) sediment organic matter (SOM), (f) transition metal complexes, (g) trace metal complexes in the Mersey Estuary. Reprinted with permission from Turner A, Martino M, Le Roux SM (2002) Trace metal distribution coefficients in the Mersey Estuary UK Evidence for salting out of metal complexes. Environ Sci Technol 36 4578-4584. Copyright 2002 American Chemical Society...

Larsen PF, Zdanowicz V, Johnson AC. 1983. Trace metal distribution in the surficial sediments of Penobscot Bay, Maine. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 31 566-573. 

Hoffman, S.J. and Fletcher, W.K. (1981) Detailed lake sediment geochemistry of anomalous lakes on the Nechako plateau, Central Columbia comparison of trace metal distributions in Capoose and Fish lakes./ Geochem. Explor. 14, 221-244. 

Benninger, L.K., Aller, R.C., Cochran, J.K., and Turekian, K.K. (1979) Effects of biological sediment mixing on the 210Pb chronology and trace metal distribution in a Long Island Sound sediment core. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 43, 241-259. 

A. Mazzucotelli, B. Cosma, F. Soggia, Trace metals distribution in Antarctic sediments (Terra Nova Bay, Ross Sea) by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy, Ann. Chim. (Rome), 79 (1989), 617-628. 

R. Frache, F. Baffi, B. Cosma, A. Mazzucotelli, C. Bottinelli, F. Sena, F. Soggia, Trace metals distribution in water, particulate matter and sediments in the Ross Sea and inland lakes (Antarctica), Proceedings of the Meeting Environmental Impact in Antarctica, Rome, June 8-9, 1990, 37-46. 

R. Frache, Trace metal distribution in particulate matter and sediments in Ross Sea (Antarctica), Proceedings of the 2nd Meeting on Environmental Impact - Chemical Methodologies, Venice, May 26-28, 1992, 60-61. 

B. Cosma, F. Soggia, M. L. Abelmoschi, R. Frache, Trace metals distribution in sediments from Terra Nova Bay - Ross Sea, Antarctica, Intern. J. Environ. Anal. Chem., 55 (1994), 121-128. 

Finally, a recent approach to the study of trace metal distribution in sediment depth profiles deserves mention. This is a factor-analysis technique which is used to determine the main environmental condition prevailing at the place and time when the sediment was deposited, or the main process responsible for modification of the sediment after deposition (Buckley et al, 1995). The study in Halifax Harbour, Nova Scotia, (Buckley et al, 1995), established the following groups ... 

Comparison of trace-metal distribution maps for Cu, Zn, and Pb with a sediment grain-size map shows that the primary control is the association of Cu, Zn, and Pb with the fine-grained fraction. 

Metal profiles for two sediment cores from the Elizabeth River, VA, USA. Land use along the shores adjacent to collection site PC-1 (Paradise Creek) is primarily industrial and includes oil terminals, shipyard installations, coal transfer facilities, petroleum distribution and shipment operations, and wood treatment facilities. It has been identified as a toxic hot spot by the U.S. EPA. Land-use adjacent to WB-2 (Western Branch) is primarily residential. Excess lopb and profiles for (a) PC-1 and (b) WB-2 profiles. These were used to determine accumulation rates (1.1 to 2.3cm/y at PC-1 and <0.5cm/y at WB-2). Trace metal enrichment factor profiles (see Eq. 28.1 in text) are presented in profiles (c-g) in groups determined by the depth and shape of their concentration peaks. Source From Conrad, C. R, et al. (2007). Marine Pollution Bulletin 54, 385-395. 

By coupling flow field-flow fractionation (flow FFF) to ICP-MS it is possible to investigate trace metals bound to various size fractions of colloidal and particulate materials.55 This technique is employed for environmental applications,55-57 for example to study trace metals associated with sediments. FFF-ICP-MS is an ideal technique for obtaining information on particle size distribution and depth profiles in sediment cores in addition to the metal concentrations (e.g., of Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, Sr, Ti and Zn with core depths ranging from 0-40 cm).55 Contaminated river sediments at various depths have been investigated by a combination of selective extraction and FFF-ICP-MS as described by Siripinyanond et al,55... 

Klassen, R.A. (2004) Geological factors affecting the distribution of trace metals in glacial sediments of central Newfoundland. Environmental Geology, 33(2-3), 154-69. 

Szefer, P., Ali, A.A., Ba-Haroon, A.A., Rajeh, A.A., Geldon, J., Nabrzyski, M. Distribution and relationships of selected trace metals in molluscs and associated sediments from the Gulf of Aden, Yemen. Environ. Pollut. 106, 299-314 (1999)... 

Seme, R. J. Geochemical distribution of selected trace metals in San Francisco Bay sediments, p. 280-288, in Drucker, H. and Wildung, ed., "The Biological Implications of Metals in the Environment," HTIS COHF-750929, 1977. 

Trace metals with scavenged-type distributions have strong interactions with particles and short oceanic residence times (—100-1,000 yr), residence times that are less than the ventilation or mixing time of the oceans. Their concentrations tend to be maximal near major sources such as rivers, atmospheric dust, bottom sediments, and hydrothermal vents. Concentrations decrease with distance from the sources and, in general, the concentrations of the scavenged metals tend to decrease along the flow path of deep water due to continual particle scavenging. 

The main removal process for oceanic components is via sedimentation and burial thus, the interaction of dissolved metals with particles in sea water is a major indication of their concentration and distribution in the world s oceans. In open ocean areas the particle cycle is driven by the biological production of particles in the surface layers, which after processes of mineralization and packaging reach the necessary size and density to fall to the ocean bottom. On the basis of this consideration, one can say that in the open ocean area the biogeochem-ical cycle of trace metals determining their distribution and speciation is frequently dominated by biological processes. In eoastal areas or particular geographical zones, other phenomena, e.g., inorganic precipitation, can take place. 

The distribution pattern of heavy metals in surface marine sediments is regulated not only by their concentrations, but also by their physical-chemical characteristics, mineralogical composition, grain size distribution, organic matter contents, etc. Several environmental conditions such as marine currents, wind, and continental runoff must also be considered (38). Some data on trace metals in Antarctic sediments have been published, but the information available for Potter Cove is limited (27, 39- 2). 

Chromium, Cu, Mn, Pb and Zn presented a similar distribution trend along the studied area, even though their concentrations are completely different (Figures 6.4-6.S ). This fact suggests that these metals have a similar behaviour in the evaluated environment, probably because they are controlled by similar processes and conditions. Cadmium contents in the analysed samples are in all cases below the LoDs of the method employed (<0.09 pg g dry weight). Iron showed a particular distribution pattern (Figure 6.8), which is probably related to its abundance (38). No evidence of trace metals in surface sediments of the Potter Cove was observed that could be attributed to contamination caused by scientific or logistic activities carried out in the Jubany Station. 

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