Temporal distribution of trace metals in Antarctic coastal waters (original) (raw)
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Water Air and Soil Pollution, 2018
An evaluation of the concentration of metals in terrestrial and aquatic environments near Artigas Antarctic Scientific Base was assessed. Granulometric characteristics, total organic matter content, concentration of metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) and metalloid (As) in soil, marine and freshwater sediments were determined. The geoaccumulation index (Igeo) was used in order to analyse the contamination magnitude. Samples were collected in summer 2015-2016 covering 31 sampling stations; 15 terrestrial/soil stations (T0-T14) were placed considering the distribution of Artigas Base buildings and the septic tanks' location. Eleven freshwater stations were placed along the three meltwater streams near Artigas Base (S0-S10), and two in Uruguay Lake (L1 and L2). Finally, three marine stations in Maxwell Bay were placed one near the Artigas Base (AB) and two far from it in North Cove (NC1, NC2). Some of the terrestrial stations (T2, T10, T11 and T13) presented the highest concentration of metals and Igeo values, which was associated to anthropic activities. Highest metal levels were related to fuel storage and handling, but also, with sewage release and the presence of old leaded paint residues. These polluted sites were limited to a restricted area of Artigas Base, not affecting surrounding environments. Concentrations of the analysed metals in unpolluted sites had the same order of magnitude recorded in other unpolluted areas of the Fildes Peninsula and other Antarctic regions.
Advances in Environmental Research, 2001
The concentrations of fourteen elements in seawater collected during the 1994᎐95 and 1995᎐96 Italian expeditions to Antarctica were determined by stripping voltammetry or atomic spectroscopy. The results obtained are discussed as a function of the sampling period and location. Heavy metal concentrations for samples collected during the 1993᎐94 campaign are also reported. Dissolved levels of major, minor and trace elements were found to decrease after pack ice melting because of water dilution and bioaccumulation, the latter being particularly relevant for heavy metal concentrations. The elaboration by chemometric multivariate techniques allowed identification of two groups of samples, respectively, collected before and after pack ice melting, and to find correlations among variables, such as alkaline-earth metals.
Distribution of heavy metals in surface sediments from an Antarctic marine ecosystem
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 2001
The concentrations of lead, cadmium, copper, chromium, iron, manganese and zinc in surface sediments collected from Potter Cove, in the 25 de Mayo Island (King George Island), Antarctica, and its drainage basin, were measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The obtained results were use to determine the areal and vertical distribution of the metals of in the Cove and potential sources of these metals to this environment. The geochemical data suggest that most of the metals found in Potter Cove constitute a redistribution of autochthonous materials within the ecosystem. Therefore, the metal concentrations can be considered to be present at natural background levels in surface sediments.
Fractionation of Trace Metals and Arsenic in Coastal Sediments From Admiralty Bay, Antarctica
INCT-APA Annual Activity Report, 2012
Sequential extraction, based on the method developed by the European Community Bureau of Reference, was performed to determine the mobile fractions of trace elements in sediments from Admiralty Bay, Antarctica. Except for As that is not certi ed, the quality of the data was found to be satisfactory for analysis as certi ed reference material, BCR-701, with recovery values for Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn, ranging from 90-115%. Zn and Ni were mainly found in the residual fraction, re ecting their natural contribution in the bay. As, Cu and Pb exhibited high potential mobility, above 60%, for most of the samples. Despite Pb contents being found mainly in the extractable fraction, its concentrations (ranging from 4.5 to 8.3 mg kg-1) were well below the reshold E ect Levels. In general, As and Cu mobile contents were higher than the sediment quality values, according to the Canadian Environmental Guidelines, which indicates that adverse biological e ects to aquatic organisms can occur. However, since disturbances in Admiralty Bay are seldom observed, it can be inferred that As and Cu are preferably bound to the organic matter. Otherwise, this study presents the data set regarding sediments collected before the accident that happened in Ferraz Station in February of 2012. at singular event may have caused a relevant increase of available contents of the trace elements in the local aquatic system. us, valuable information is being provided for the future environmental monitoring, control and mitigation of arsenic and metal contamination in sediments from Antarctica.
Trace metal distributions off the Antarctic Peninsula in the Weddell Sea
Marine Chemistry, 2002
Dissolved trace metals (Ag, Al, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, and Zn), inorganic nutrients (PO 4 , H 4 SiO 4 ), and chlorophyll a were measured at 19 stations along a surface water transect from the Antarctic Peninsula into the Weddell Sea. The range of concentrations of metals and nutrients measured along the western rim of the Weddell Sea were consistent with previous results from the Southern Ocean. Metal levels measured in the Weddell Sea showed two distinct patterns: (1) metals (Al, Co, and Pb) that generally had lower levels in the Weddell Sea; and (2) dissolved constituents (Ag, Cd, Cu, Fe, Ni, Zn, PO 4 , H 4 SiO 4 ) that showed an enrichment in the Weddell Sea, as compared to other ocean basins. While this dichotomy suggested that high metal concentrations may result from natural processes, the impact of anthropogenic processes on metal levels in Antarctic waters is also evident. A comparison of the stable lead isotopic composition reported for surface waters of the Weddell Sea and our Southern Hemisphere aerosol samples suggested that the cycling of Pb in those waters has been influenced by industrial Pb from South America. The importance of biological activity on the cycling of bioactive metals in the Weddell Sea was suggested by the inverse relationship between chl a concentrations and trace metal residence time. A strong linear relationship between Cd and PO 4 was observed, as in other oceans. The Cd/PO 4 ratio along the western rim of the Weddell Sea was consistent with previous ratios reported for the northern part of the Weddell Sea and the Antarctic Circumpolar Current. However, those ratios were significantly higher than the previously reported Cd/PO 4 ratio for the southern part of the Weddell Sea, suggesting that Cd/PO 4 ratios within the same oceanographic basin are susceptible to temporal and spatial variability. We also showed that the Ag/Cu ratio could potentially be used as a geochemical tracer of different water masses in the world ocean. The Ag/Cu ratio in the Weddell Sea was essentially the same as the ratio reported for the Pacific Ocean, suggesting that Weddell Sea surface waters may influence the composition of trace metals in subsurface waters of the Pacific. D
Trace metal speciation in coastal and off-shore sediments from Ross Sea (Antarctica)
Microchemical Journal, 2010
The information on total metal concentration in sediments is not sufficient to assess the metal behaviour in the environment, while speciation studies are more effective in estimating environmental impact of contaminated sediments. Concerning metal distribution in Antarctic marine sediments, several studies reported total or extractable (by means of a unique reagent) content, but only few publications dealt with metal speciation. This work presents the total content and speciation pattern of Al, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn in 12 cm sediment cores, sampled both in coastal and offshore sites of the Ross Sea shelf area, within the framework of the Italian National Antarctic Programme (PNRA). The total content results of metals are comparable with the background values and the speciation highlights good environmental quality of the studied areas. Only Cd and Pb, in fact, are present in significative amount in non residual phases (acid-extractable and reducible, respectively).
Marine Pollution Bulletin, 2005
This paper investigates the natural and anthropogenic processes controlling sediment chemistry in Admiralty Bay, King George Island, Antarctica, emphasizing the area affected by the Brazilian Antarctic Station Comandante Ferraz (Ferraz). Total and bioavailable concentrations of sixteen elements were determined in 32 sediment and 14 soils samples. Factor analysis allowed us to distinguish three groups of samples: (1) Ferraz sediments, with higher content of total trace metals and organic matter; (2) control sediments, with intermediate characteristics;
Chemosphere, 2006
Detecting anthropogenic metal contamination in regional surveys can be particularly difficult when there is a lack of pre-disturbance data, especially when trying to differentiate low to moderate levels of contamination from background values. Furthermore, comparisons with other regional studies are confounded by differing analytical methods used and variations in sediment properties such as grainsize. Several types of geochemical technique, including weak acid partial extraction, strong acid extractions and total digestion have been used. Attempts have been made to overcome the influence that grainsize has on chemical concentrations in heterogeneous environments by analysing the fines, typically the mud fraction (<63 lm), in an attempt to improve the detection of anthropogenic contamination. Here we compare a weak acid partial extraction using 1 M HCl and total digestion methods for a regional survey of reference and impacted sites in Antarctica using both whole sediment (<2 mm) and mud (<63 lm) fractions. The 1 M partial extraction on whole sediment (<2 mm) most closely distinguished weakly, or moderately, impacted sites from reference locations. It also identified small scale within-location spatial variation in metal contamination that the total digest did not detect. Compared with total digests or analysis of the <63 lm fraction alone, this method minimised the possibility of a Type II statistical error in the regional survey -that is, failing to identify a site as being contaminated when it has elevated metal concentrations. To allow inter-regional comparison of sediment chemistry data from elsewhere in Antarctica, and also more generally, we recommend a 1 M HCl partial extraction on whole sediment (<2 mm). Crown