Elsevier

Chemical Geology

Volume 54, Issues 3–4, 25 February 1986, Pages 295-309
Chemical Geology

Research paper
Distribution of certain metals in lithochemical fractions of sediments from the Arcachon basin, southwest France: Authigenic mineral formation and pollution

https://doi.org/10.1016/0009-2541(86)90144-0Get rights and content

Abstract

Metal fractionation was studied in the muddy surface sediments and in a sediment core from the Arcachon basin. The low Mn content of the surface sediments (< 63 μm) could be due to strong Mn-oxide dissolution close to the water—sediment interface. The intense anoxic sulfidic environment caused by the high organic matter content leads to a rapid pyrite formation and high percentages of Fe, Mn and Cu extracted in the “organic—sulfide” fraction. Cu extracted in this fraction could be partly due to its association with organic matter. Nevertheless, Fe, Mn and Ni in this fraction are mostly associated with sulfides. The major part of Pb and Zn is extracted in the “oxide—carbonate” fraction. Apparently sulfide does not control their mobile fractions. The enrichment of Zn, Pb and Cu seems to be the result of an anthropogenic flux of mobile fraction of these metals.

References (50)

  • S.M. Oakley et al.

    Kinetics of trace metal partitioning in model anoxic marine sediments

    Water Res.

    (1980)
  • B.J. Presley et al.

    Early diagenesis of a reducing fjord: Saanich Inlet, British Columbia, II. Trace element distribution in interstitial water and sediment

    Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta

    (1972)
  • J.M. Skei et al.

    Surface metal enrichment and partitioning of metals in a dated sediment core from a Norwegian fjord

    Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta

    (1979)
  • E. Suess

    Mineral phases formed in anoxic sediments by microbial decomposition of organic matter

    Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta

    (1979)
  • A. Tessier et al.

    Particulate trace metal speciation in stream sediments and relationships with grain size: implications for geochemical exploration

    J. Geochem. Explor.

    (1982)
  • A. Added

    Étude géochimique et sédimentologique des sédiments marins du delta du Rhône

  • R.A. Berner

    Iron sulfides formed from aqueous solution at low temperatures and atmospheric pressure

    Geology

    (1964)
  • R.A. Berner

    Sedimentary pyrite formation

    Am. J. Sci.

    (1970)
  • R.A. Berner

    Authigenic mineral formation resulting from organic matter decomposition in modern sediments

    Fortschr. Mineral.

    (1981)
  • Ph. Bertrand

    Étude experimentale, par fractionnement, de la répartition géochimique de quelques métaux (Zn, Cu, Pb, Ni) dans les matières en suspension de l'estuaire de la Gironde

  • J.M. Brannon et al.

    The distribution of heavy metals in sediment fractions from Mobile Bay, Alabama

  • R. Chester et al.

    A chemical technique for the separation of ferro-manganese minerals, carbonate minerals and adsorbed trace elements from pelagic sediments

    Chem. Geol.

    (1967)
  • T.J. Chow et al.

    Lead pollution: records in southern California coastal sediments

    Science

    (1973)
  • A. Eaton

    Leachable trace elements in San Francisco Bay sediments: indicators of sources and estuarine processes

    Environ. Geol.

    (1979)
  • F. Elbaz

    Cycle géochimique du plomb dans les milieux lacustres, fluviatiles et estuariens

  • Cited by (11)

    View all citing articles on Scopus

    Present address: Laboratoire de Chimie Analytique, Faculté des Sciences, Avenue de l'Université, 64000 Pau, France.

    View full text