HEAVY-METAL DISTRIBUTION IN SEDIMENT CORES FROM WESTERN ROSS SEA (ANTARCTICA)

Seven sediments cores collected in the Western Ross Sea (Antarctica) w ere investigated for heavy metals (Cr, Ni, Pb, Cd, Co, Zn Cu and Fe, M n), several major elements (Ca, Ba and Al), total and organic carbon, and isotopic composition in order to investigate vertical variability. Samples were analyzed by ET-AAS and ICP-AES for metals and by CF-IRMS for carbon content. Generally, concentrations at the background level s were higher with respect to recent ones excluding in this area any k ind of anthropogenic contamination. Cluster and Factor Analysis were a pplied. Best correlations were obtained for the elements showing geoch emical affinities.