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Trace metal processes and fluxes in the humber plume: A focus on Pb and Zn

Spurenmetallprozesse und -umsÄtze in der Humber-Fahne, mit Schwerpunkt auf Pb und Zn

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Summary

This paper presents a critical review of the current state of knowledge of trace metal processes in the Humber plume, as illustrated by the marine chemistry of Pb and Zn. The data sources were abstracted from the U.K. Natural Environment Research Council North Sea Project CD ROM. Particulate and dissolved Pb and Zn were monitored, spatially and seasonally, at strategic locations within the coastal zone and over tidal cycles at an estuarine anchor station. Sediment box coring was also carried out and the samples used to determine the diffusional and resuspension fluxes of Pb and Zn. The mass balances within the plume show that there was considerable internal cycling of Pb and Zn. Dissolved Pb is adsorbed from solution and particulate Pb was deposited within the plume. Particulate Zn underwent sediment resuspension and dissolved Zn was adsorbed from solution. The distribution of Pb was influenced by atmospheric and benthic inputs, whereas Zn uptake and release by phytoplankton could be significant. The fluxes of Pb and Zn from the eastern boundary of the Humber plume to the North Sea were relatively minor compared to atmospheric inputs to the southern Bight and fluxes into the North Sea from the English Channel. The processes identified in the study are relevant to the development of coupled hydrodynamic-geochemical models for the generalised prediction of trace metal transport in coastal plumes.

Zusammenfassung

Die vorliegende Arbeit fa\t am Beispiel meereschemischer Prozesse bei Pb und Zn den aktuellen Wissensstand über Spurenmetallprozesse in der Humber-Fahne zusammen. Die verwendeten Daten entstammen einer CD ROM des britischen Natural Environment Research Council North Sea Project. PartikulÄres und gelöstes Pb und Zn wurde rÄumlich und jahreszeitlich verteilt an strategischen Punkten im Küstenbereich und an einer Station im Mündungsbereich über Tidezyklen hinweg gemessen. Ferner wurden Sedimentproben entnommen, anhand derer Diffusions- und Resuspensionsprozesse von Pb und Zn untersucht wurden. Die Massenbilanzen innerhalb der Fahne zeigen gro\e Pb- und Zn-KreislÄufe. Gelöstes Pb wird aus der Lösung adsorbiert und partikulÄres Pb abgelagert. PartikulÄres Zn wird aus dem Sediment resuspendiert und gelöstes Zn aus der Lösung adsorbiert. Die Pb-Verteilung wurde durch Luft- und BenthoseintrÄge beeinflu\t, wÄhrend bei Zn die Aufnahme und Freisetzung durch Phytoplankton teilweise eine erhebliche Rolle spielte. Pb- und Zn-Transporte von der östlichen Grenze der Humber-Fahne zur Nordsee waren relativ gering verglichen mit atmosphÄrischen EintrÄgen in die südliche Bucht und Transporten aus dem Ärmelkanal in die Nordsee. Die beschriebenen Prozesse sind für die Entwicklung gekoppelter hydrodynamischer-geochemischer Modelle zur Vorhersage von Spurenmetalltransporten in Küstenfahnen relevant.

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  1. Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, PL4 8AA, Plymouth, Devon, UK

    G. E. Millward

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Millward, G.E. Trace metal processes and fluxes in the humber plume: A focus on Pb and Zn. Deutsche Hydrographische Zeitschrift 49, 187–202 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02764032

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