Analysis of trace metals in bottom sediments in support of deepwater biological processes studies on the US mid-Atlantic continental slope and rise. Final report, March 1, 1984-March 31, 1987
The concentration of 12 metals (Al, Ba, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn) were measured in sediments over a two-year period in order to evaluate the impact of drilling-mud discharges on the continental slope off the Middle Atlantic states. Barium, a major element in drilling mud, was the only element found to increase in concentration as a result of drilling and only at stations adjacent to drilling rigs. The small changes (32% or less) were measured only in some of the replicate samples, indicating a patchy distribution of the Ba introduced by drilling. There was no evidence of accumulating drill cuttings in the sediment cores that the authors analyzed. Discrete particles of barite were observed in trap samples and in bottom sediments by means of a scanning electron microscope. The overall goal is to evaluate potential adverse effects of drilling effluents on bottom-dwelling organisms.
- Research Organization:
- Geological Survey, Woods Hole, MA (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 6312806
- Report Number(s):
- PB-87-194387/XAB
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: See also 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 South Atlantic continental slope and rise. Final report, 1 May 1985-31 March 1987
Related Subjects
03 NATURAL GAS
ATLANTIC OCEAN
CONTINENTAL SLOPE
BENTHOS
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
OFFSHORE DRILLING
SEDIMENTS
DRILLING FLUIDS
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
BARITE
BARIUM
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
METALS
PARTICLE SIZE
SAMPLING
WATER POLLUTION
ALKALINE EARTH METAL COMPOUNDS
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
BARIUM COMPOUNDS
BARIUM SULFATES
CONTINENTAL MARGIN
DRILLING
ELEMENTS
FLUIDS
MICROSCOPY
MINERALS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
SEAS
SIZE
SULFATE MINERALS
SULFATES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SURFACE WATERS
020200* - Petroleum- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
030200 - Natural Gas- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
020900 - Petroleum- Environmental Aspects
030800 - Natural Gas- Environmental Aspects