TRACE, ALKALINE AND ALKALINE-EARTH ELEMENTS IN SEA-WATER SAMPLES FROMTERRA-NOVA BAY ROSS SEA (ANTARCTICA) - A 3-YEAR PERIOD OF OBSERVATION

This report concerns the correlation of the analytical results relevan t to some elements obtained in filtered sea water samples collected in Terra Nova Bay and the Ross Sea (Antarctica) during three Italian exp editions. The following ranges of variability of the medians of total concentrations (ng/l) - which include time effect among expeditions an d bias effect among participant groups - were found for trace elements (single values refer to elements which were only determined once by o ne laboratory): Sb(260), As(1.2 10(3)), Cd(5-50), Cr(120), Co(4), Cu(1 10-230), Fe(435-445), Pb(6-52), Mn(15-88), Hg(3), Ni(185-580), Se(30) and Zn(242-265). Speciation studies pointed out that 10-40% of Cd, 15- 60% of Cu and 20-50% of Pb were present in the samples as an ASV-labil e fraction. As for alkaline and alkaline-earth elements, the following concentration ranges in surface sea waters, expressed in mM, were fou nd: Li([1.4-3.0]10(-2)), Na(394-480), K(5.1-9.9), Ca (6.4-14.7), Mg (4 6.2-59.0) and Sr ([7.6-10] 10(-2)). Inter- and intra-laboratory data c omparison, incorrect results, local variations of concentration, inclu ding pollution effects and pack melting effect, are discussed in detai l.