DISTRIBUTION OF POC, PON, AND PARTICULATE AL, CD, CR, CU, PB, TI, ZN AND DELTA-C-13 IN THE ENGLISH-CHANNEL AND ADJACENT AREAS

A study of the spatial distribution of the total suspended matter and of its elemental composition (C, N and trace metals) has been performe d in the English Channel, the Celtic Sea, and the Southern Eight of th e North Sea in June and October 1991. South-west to north-east gradien ts of suspended matter mass and of lithogenic components (Ti and Al) l inked to riverine inputs and to depth shallowing, are observed; organi c carbon and nitrogen display an opposite distribution pattern and rea ch a maximum in the Biscay oceanic waters. Cu, Pb and Zn concentration s are highest near industrialized areas and large estuaries, showing t he importance of river inputs. In contrast, Cd, Cu and Cr concentratio ns are markedly elevated in organic-rich suspended matter from waters in which suspended matter loadings are low, suggesting a significant b iological uptake. Finally, C-13/C-12 analyses the relative importance of coastal or continental inputs in the north-eastern Channel and in t he North Sea.