Analysis of trace metals in bottom sediments in support of deepwater biological processes studies on the US South Atlantic continental slope and rise. Final report, 1 May 1985-31 March 1987
The study is part of a multidisciplinary program conducted along the entire continental slope and rise off the Atlantic states to characterize the biology, chemistry, and geology of the sea floor prior to exploratory drilling for petroleum. The distribution of sediment types and associated trace metals from natural sources will be used to help predict the fate of sediment reactive contaminants introduced to the water column by future development activities. Sediment samples collected on three cruises to the continental slope and rise off the South Atlantic states were analyzed for 12 metals (Al, Ba, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn). The metal concentrations are lower than those reported for world-average shales, indicating an absence of major contamination. At some locations, Pb is enriched in the surface sediments by about a factor of 2 higher than deeper sections of sediment cores. The maximum concentration of Pb is only 17 ppm. This enrichment is probably related to onshore burning of gasoline containing lead additives. The potential biological effects of this enrichment cannot yet be evaluated. There is a positive correlation between the concentration of metals and the concentration of silt and clay. Lead inventories at stations at the northern limit of the study area are 5-10 times higher than predicted from the estimated atmospheric flux over the last century. Biological, chemical, and physical processes which enhance metal scavanging from seawater must be relatively intense to account for the high inventories.
- Research Organization:
- Geological Survey, Woods Hole, MA (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 6281306
- Report Number(s):
- PB-87-200051/XAB
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: See also report dated Jan 86, PB--86-199312
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Analysis of trace metals in bottom sediments in support of deepwater biological processes. Studies on the US Mid-Atlantic continental slope and rise. Second interim report, May 1, 1984-January 24, 1986
Analysis of trace metals in bottom sediments in support of deepwater biological processes. Studies on the US Mid-Atlantic continental slope and rise. Interim report, 1 May 1984-24 January 1986
Related Subjects
02 PETROLEUM
ATLANTIC OCEAN
CONTINENTAL SLOPE
SEDIMENTS
METALS
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
BARITE
BARIUM
BENTHOS
DRILLING FLUIDS
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
WATER POLLUTION
ALKALINE EARTH METAL COMPOUNDS
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
BARIUM COMPOUNDS
BARIUM SULFATES
CONTINENTAL MARGIN
ELEMENTS
FLUIDS
MICROSCOPY
MINERALS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
SEAS
SULFATE MINERALS
SULFATES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SURFACE WATERS
520100* - Environment
Aquatic- Basic Studies- (-1989)
510100 - Environment
Terrestrial- Basic Studies- (-1989)
020200 - Petroleum- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration