Trace metals in sediments from the inner continental shelf of the western Beaufort Sea
- Battelle Pacific Northwest Labs., Sequim, WA (United States)
- Florida Inst. of Tech., Melbourne (United States)
- Battelle Ocean Sciences, Duxbury, MA (United States)
- Arthur D. Little, Inc., Cambridge, MA (United States)
Increased development and changing climate have enhanced global interest in the Arctic Ocean and adjacent seas. Using a large, 3-yr data base, the authors have determined the distribution of trace metals in sediments from the inner shelf of the western Beaufort Sea. Metal concentrations in these sediments reflect pristine conditions, consistent with those for most coastal areas in the Arctic and with predictions based on average continental crust. Geographic variations in metal values are primarily related to sediment grain-size distribution. However, grain-size patterns are a complex function of several variables including source areas, ice and water movement, as well as physical and chemical weathering. Future identification of any metal contamination in Beaufort Sea sediments will be simplified by understanding the predictable natural patterns.
- OSTI ID:
- 5405556
- Journal Information:
- Environmental Geology and Water Sciences; (United States), Journal Name: Environmental Geology and Water Sciences; (United States) Vol. 18:1; ISSN 0177-5146; ISSN EGWSE
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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