Abstract
Analysis of ten heavy metals (Ag, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Zn) in six sediment cores from Wellington Harbour show both anthropogenic enrichments and diagenetic modifications. Absolute concentrations determined by two methods, x-ray fluorescence and acid leaching for bioavailability, are not comparable. However, vertical trends in concentrations of the cored sediment are comparable. To assess levels of anthropogenic pollution, enrichment factors (enriched concentrations in upper core divided by background levels in lower core) are preferred over index of accumulation (I geo) values because preindustrial or background levels of heavy metals are well constrained. The ten metals are placed into three groups: (1) Cu, Pb, and Zn, which show the most anthropogenic enrichment; (2) As, Cd, Cr, Ni, and Sb, which are often associated with anthropogenic pollution but show only minor enrichment; and (3) Fe and Mn, which are diagenetically enriched. Assuming harbor waters are well mixed, anthropogenic enrichments of Cu, Pb, and Zn, are time correlative, but the degree of enrichment depends on the method of analysis and core location. Levels of As, Cd, Pb, and Zn show small variations in preindustrial sediments that are not related to changes in grain size and probably result from changes in the oxidation-reduction potential of the sediments and salinity of the pore waters.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Aggett J and O'Brien A (1985) Detailed model for the mobility of arsenic in lacustrine sediments based on measurements in Lake Ohakuri. Environ Sci Technol 19(3): 231–238
Barrett PJ, Irwin SL, and Dunbar GB (1993) Earthquake-induced sea floor movement recorded by change in mud content in core from Petone wharf. Programme and Abstracts, Miscellaneous Publication 79A, Geological Society of New Zealand, Lower Hutt, NZ. 34 pp (abstract)
Bryan GW and Langston WJ (1992) Bioavailability, accumulation and effects of heavy metals in sediments with special reference to United Kingdom estuaries: A review. Environ Pollut 76:89–131
Butterworth S (1988) Petone, a history. Petone: Petone Borough Council. 270 pp
Cauwet G (1987) Influence of sedimentological features on the distribution of trace metals in marine sediments. Mar Chem 22:221–234
Chester R and Voutsinou FG (1981) The initial assessment of trace metal pollution in coastal sediments. Mar Pollut Bulle 12(3): 84–91
Davis KR (1982) Wellington Harbour: A brief history of its development and its present condition in report of water quality from a bacteriological point of view. Report 82.201, Wellington: Wellington Regional Council, 104 pp
Deely JM, Tunnicliff JC, Orange JC, and Edgerley WHL (1992) Heavy metals in surface sediments of Waiwhetu Stream, Lower Hutt, New Zealand: NZ J Mar Freshwater Res 26:417–427
Dunbar GB (1994) Seismic and cultural influences on the sedimentary record, Wellington Harbour, New Zealand. Unpublished MSc thesis. Wellington: Geology Department, Victoria University of Wellington. 155 pp
Forstner U and Wittmann GTW (1981) Metal pollution in the aquatic environment, 2nd ed., Berlin: Springer-Verlag. 486 pp
Grieve D and Fletcher K (1977) Interaction between zinc and suspended sediments in the Fraser River estuary, British Columbia. Estuarine Coastal Mar Sci 5:415–419
Heaphy C (1880) Notes on Port Nicholson and the natives in 1839: Trans Proc NZ Inst 12:33–39
Heath RA (1977) Circulation and hydrology of Wellington Harbour. Wellington: New Zealand Oceanographic Institute Summary No. 12. 8 pp
Horowitz AJ (1985) A primer on trace element-sediment chemistry: US Geological Survey Water Supply Paper 2277. 67 pp
Irwin SL (1993) Modern sedimentary processes and distribution trends in the Petone foreshore area, Wellington Harbour, New Zealand. Unpublished Hons thesis. Wellington: Geology Department, Victoria University of Wellington. 83 pp
Loring DH and Rantala RTT (1992) Manual for the geochemical analyses of marine sediments and suspended particulate matter: Earth Sci Rev 32:235–283
Maxwell E (1937) Recollections and reflections of an old New Zealander, 3rd ed. Dunedin, NZ: A.H. & A.W. Reed. 233 pp
Moore JW and Ramamoorthy S (1984) Heavy metals in natural waters. New York: Springer-Verlag. 268 pp
Muller G (1979) Schwermetalle in den Sedimenten des Rheims-Veranderungen seit. Umschau 79:778–783
Norrish K and Hutton JT (1969) An accurate x-ray spectrographic method for the analysis of a wide range of geological samples. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 33:431–453
Palmer K (1990) XRF analysis of granitoids and associated rocks St. Johns Range, South Victoria Land, Antarctica. Wellington: Victoria University of Wellington, Research School of Earth Science, Geology Board of Studies Publication 5. 23 pp
Ridgway NM and Glasby JP (1984) Sources of marine pollution around New Zealand. Wellington: New Zealand Oceanographic Institute Summary No. 23. 21 pp
Roser BP, Palmer K, and Grapes R (1995) Compilation of whole-rock analyses of Torlesse terrane sedimentary rocks of the lower North Island. Wellington: Victoria University of Wellington, Research School of Earth Science, Geology Board of Studies Publication 15 (in preparation)
Shepherd W and Cook W (1988) The Botanic Garden — Wellington; A New Zealand history 1840–1987. Wellington: Millwood Press. 396 pp
Stoffers P, Glasby GP, Wilson CJ, Davis KR, and Walter P (1986) Heavy metal pollution in Wellington Harbour. NZ J Mar Freshwater Res 20:495–512
Velleman PF and Hoaglin DC (1981) Applications, basics, and computing of exploratory data analysis. Boston: Duxbury Press. 354 pp
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Dickinson, W.W., Dunbar, G.B. & McLeod, H. Heavy metal history from cores in Wellington Harbour, New Zealand. Geo 27, 59–69 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00770603
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00770603