Major and trace elements in sediments from Terra Nova Bay, Antarctica

The concentrations of trace metals (Be, Bi, Cd, Cr, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sn, Zn), al uminium, iron and total organic carbon (TOC) were determined in sediments c ollected in Antarctica (Terra Nova Bay-Ross Sea). Samples were analysed by atomic absorption spectrometry with either flame or flameless techniques. C hemical data were evaluated taking into account the textural and compositio nal character of the sediments. The mean concentration levels of the elemen ts in the < 2 mm granulometric fraction were (mg/kg): Be: 2.04 +/- 0.25; Bi less than or equal to 0.8; Cd: 0.26 +/- 0.16; Cr: 20.3 +/- 8.3; Mn: 359 +/ - 108; Ni: 6.31 +/- 3.5; Pb: 20.7 +/- 2.8; Sn: 2.12 +/- 0.71; Zn: 42.3 +/- 10.4; Al: 56100 +/- 3900; Fe: 16400 +/- 4800. The mean value of TOC was 0.3 4 +/- 0.20 g%. In the < 63 mu m fraction higher levels were observed for al l the elements, with the exception of Al and Be. Both petrographic and chem ical analyses showed differences between the samples collected in Terra Nov a Bay and the sample from Wood Bay. (C) 1999 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.