Abstract
The aim of this paper was to study the elemental composition of sediments in the Amazon ecosystem by comparing bottom samples from the shelf with those from the floodplain of the Rio Amazonas. Trace elements measured by neutron activation analysis were used. The system is divided into three parts: the basin, including tributaries from the pre-Andean region to Óbidos; the delta—plain region between Óbidos and the mouth; and the continental shelf. Significant correlation was found between the shelf and floodplain sediments, especially those samples close to the mouth. In the shelf surface samples, Ta, Eu, La, and Ce (in this order) have the lowest coefficients of variation in concentration, whereas Hf, Br, and Cs have the greatest.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ferraz ESB, Tuon RL, and Fernandes EAN (1991) Transfer of trace elements in the Amazon basin. In: On the Validity of Environmental Transfer Models. Stockholm: Swedish Radiation Protection Institute, 307. p 312
Fernandes EAN, Ferraz ESB, and Oliveira H (1994) Trace elements distribution in the Amazon floodplain soils. Journal of Radio-analytical and Nuclear Chemistry 179(2):251–258
Gibbs RJ (1967) The geochemistry of the Amazon River system: Part I. The factors that control the salinity and the composition and concentration of the suspended solids. Geological Society of America Bulletin 78:1203–1232
Meade RH, Nordin Jr CF, Curtis VF, Rodrigues FMC, Vale CM, and Edmond JM (1979) Sediment loads in the Amazon River. Nature 278:161–163
Meade RH, Dunne T, Richey JE, Santos UM, and Salati E (1985) Storage and remobilization of suspended sediment in the lower Amazon River of Brazil. Science 228:488–490
Nittrouer CA, DeMaster DJ, Figueiredo AG, and Rine JM (1991) AMASEDS: An interdisciplinary investigation of a complex coastal environment. Oceanography 4:3–7
Richey JE, Meade RH, Salati E, Devol AH, Nordin Jr CF, and Santos U (1986) Water discharge and suspended sediment concentration in the Amazon River: 1982–1984. Water Resources Research 22(5):756–764
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ferraz, E.S.B., Fernandes, E.A.N. & Oliveira, H. Similarity between trace-element composition of river and seabed sediments in the Amazon system. Geo-Marine Letters 16, 27–30 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01218834
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01218834