Abstract
Concentrations of copper, zinc, chromium, lead, cadmium, and phosphorus were obtained from 81 samples of unconsolidated estuarine sediment from Great Bay, New Hampshire. Dispersal of aqueous chromium from localized industrial effluent is believed responsible for an increase in sediment chromium throughout the entire estuary. High phosphorus concentrations exist in sediment near the outfalls from several waste-water treatment plants. There is no evidence for any increase of copper, zinc, lead, or cadmium in this estuary, except for localized high concentrations close to industrial outfalls.
Fine-grained sediments and organic carbon correlate highly with all the elements studied, except for chromium. This suggests that conventional agents of sedimentary adsorption are not adequate to explain the incorporation of chromium into sediment under the conditions of heavy industrial discharge which exist in this estuary. Sediment phosphorus correlates highly with minor elements, suggesting that it is an adsorption agent, similar to more typical sedimentary parameters such as organic matter and clay minerals. In such a capacity phosphorus may enhance the sedimentary uptake of other aqueous species, and account for higher chromium sediment concentrations. Comparative data from other sedimentary environments emphasize the environmental significance of these elements in Great Bay.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
References
Anderson, F. E., 1970, The periodic cycle of particulate matter in a shallow temperate estuary: Jour. Sed. Petrology, 40, p. 1128–1135.
Berryhill, H. L., U. F. Swanson, and A. H. Love, 1972, Organic and trace element content of Holocene sediments in two estuarine bays, Pamlico Sound area, North Carolina: U. S. Geol. Survey Bull. 1314 — E, 32 p.
Buckley, D. E., and R. E. Cranston, 1971. Atomic absorption analysis of 18 elements from a single decomposition of aluminosilicate: Chemical Geology, v. 7, p. 273–284.
Capuzzo, J. M., and F. E. Anderson, 1973. The use of modern chromium accumulations to determine estuarine sedimentation rates: Marine Geology, v. 14, p. 225–235.
Carrit, D. E., and S. Goodal, 1954, Sorption reactions and some ecological implications: Deep Sea Research, v. 1, p. 224–243.
Collinson, C., and N. F. Shimp, 1972. Trace elements in bottom sediments from Upper Peoria Lake, Middle Illinois River — a pilot project: Illinois Geol. Survey, Environmental Geology Notes, no. 56, 61 p.
Curtiss, C. D., 1964, The incorporation of soluble organic matter and its effect on trace element assemblages,in G. D. Hobson and M. C. Louis (Editors), International series of monographs in the earth sciences: Advances in Organic Geochemistry, v. 24, p. 1–14.
Folk, R. L., 1968, Petrology of sedimentary rocks: Austin, Texas, Hemphills' Book Store, 170 p.
Frye, J. C., and N. F. Shimp, 1973, Major, minor, and trace elements in sediments of Late Pleistocene Lake Saline compared with those in Lake Michigan bottom sediments: Illinois Geol. Survey Environmental Geology Notes, no. 60, 14 p.
Gaudette, H. E., W. R. Flight, L. Toner, and D. W. Folger 1974, An inexpensive titration method for the determination of organic carbon in recent sediments: Jour. Sed. Petrology, v. 44, p. 249–253.
Gross, M. G., 1967, Concentrations of minor elements in the diatomaceous sediments of a stagnant fiord,in G. H. Lauff (Editor). Estuaries: Am. Assoc. Advancement of Science Pub., v. 83, p. 273–282.
Hanson, G. M., 1973, Phosphorus distribution in unconsolidated sediments of Great Bay, New Hampshire: Univ. New Hampshire, Durham, N. H., unpub M. S. Thesis, 74 p.
Hirst, D. M., 1962, The geochemistry of modern sediments from the Gulf of Paria: Geochim. et Cosmochim. Acta, v. 26, p. 1147–1187.
Jackson, C. F., 1944, Physical and biological features of Great Bay and the present status of marine resources: a biological survey of great Bay, New Hampshire, pt 1.: Univ. New Hampshire, Durham, N. H., 61 p.
Ketchum, B. H., 1967, Phytoplankton nutrient in estuaries,in G. H. Lauff (Editor). Am. Assoc. Advancement of Science Pub., v. 83, p. 329–336.
Piper, D. Z., 1971, The Distribution of Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni and Zn in Framvaren, a Norwegian anoxic fiord: Geochim. et Cosmochim. Acta, v. 35, p. 531–550.
Rose, H. J., Jr., I. Adler, and F. J. Flanagan, 1963, X-ray fluorescence analysis of light elements in rocks and minerals: Applied Spectroscopy, v. 17, p. 81.
Schleicher, J. A., and J. K. Kuhn, 1970, Phosphorus content in unconsolidated sediments from southern Lake Michigan: Illinois Geolo. Survey, Environmental Geology Notes, no. 39, 15 p.
Shimp, N. F., H. V. Leland, and W. A. White, 1970, Distribution of major, minor, and trace constituents in unconsolidated sediments from southern Lake Michigan: Illinois Geol. Survey, Environmental Geology Notes, no. 32, 19 p.
Slatt, R. M., 1974, Geochemistry of bottom sediments, Conception Bay, Southeastern Newfoundland: Canadian Jour. Earth Sci., v. 11, p. 768–784.
White, W. H., and K. E. Northcote, 1962, Distribution of metals from a modern marine environment: Geochim. et Cosmochim. Acta, v. 26, p. 1147–1187.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Armstrong, P.B., Hanson, G.M. & Gaudette, H.E. Minor elements in sediments of Great Bay estuary, New Hampshire. Geo 1, 207–214 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02407507
Received:
Revised:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02407507