Geochemical aspects of atmospherically transported trace metals over the Georgia Bight
There has been considerable evidence in recent years that a significant portion of the trace metals reaching coastal waters are transported by the atmosphere. The present study had the following three purposes: to assess trace metal concentrations and enrichment factors in the nearshore atmosphere over the Georgia Bight between Charleston, South Carolina and Jacksonville, Florida; to determine the sources of the metals; and to evaluate the solubilities of some of the metals in seawater. Atmospheric trace metal concentrations and enrichment factors generally decrease from Charleston to Jacksonville. Five metals (Cd, Zn, Cu, Ni, and Pb), were found to be anomalously enriched over the Georgia Bight. Observations from this study suggest that seawater may influence Cu and Zn concentrations in Georgia Bight air. Solubilities of Zn and Cu in seawater are source dependent, as seen by correlation with EF/sub crust/. No significant solubility of Ni in seawater was observed. Yearly fluxes of eight trace metals from atmosphere to seawater in the Georgia Bight were estimated. These trace metal fluxes are comparable to fluxes in other areas along the east coast. The fluxes of Cu, Cd, and Zn make considerable contributions to dissolved metal levels in Georgia Bight water. An attempt to use trace metal concentrations in Spanish mosses as a means of tracing sources of trace metals over the Georgia bight was inconclusive.
- Research Organization:
- Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- EY-76-S-09-0890
- OSTI ID:
- 5976933
- Report Number(s):
- SRO-0890-T2
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Thesis
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Fate of trace metals in the sediments of the New York Bight. Environmental Sciences Division Publication No. 2035
Observations of Gulf Stream-induced and wind-driven upwelling in the Georgia Bight using ocean color and infrared imagery
Related Subjects
ALUMINIUM
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
CADMIUM
COPPER
IRON
LEAD
NICKEL
SODIUM
ZINC
AIR POLLUTION
COASTAL WATERS
DATA COMPILATION
FLORIDA
GEORGIA
MONITORING
MOSSES
SEAWATER
SOLUBILITY
SOUTH CAROLINA
TABLES
TRACE AMOUNTS
WATER POLLUTION
WIND
ALKALI METALS
DATA
DATA FORMS
ELEMENTS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INFORMATION
METALS
NORTH AMERICA
NUMERICAL DATA
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PLANTS
POLLUTION
SOUTHEAST REGION
SURFACE WATERS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
USA
WATER
520200* - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)
500200 - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)