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Microscale distribution of trace elements: a methodology for accessing major bearing phases in stream sediments as applied to the Loire basin (France)

  • Sediments, Sec 2 • Physical and Biogeochemical Processes • Research Article
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Abstract

Purpose

The threat of trace elements (TE) stored in sediments depends on total concentrations, their chemical form, and also on the type of TE–particle association and their resultant stability. The present study aimed at identifying the major TE-bearing phases in river sediments and quantifying their in situ concentrations once total concentrations of TE had been determined in order to understand potential TE mobility and ensuing environmental risk during early diagenesis mechanisms and the sediment cascade.

Materials and methods

Several TE-enriched layers of sediment cores were selected in a polymetallic-contaminated river basin (Loire basin, France). Selected samples were taken from up- and downstream areas far from sites of specific mining, or heavy industrial or urban activities. They thus represent non-site-dependent sediments which were not modulated or controlled by specific mineralogy or anthropogenic activities. Detailed microscale investigation techniques (SEM, EPMA, and μSXRD) were used to characterize directly the complex TE–solid phase association within river sediments. Despite Bi, Cd, and Hg representing the highest enrichment of the studied sediment layers, these elements were not detected at a microscale and only ubiquitous TE such as As, Cu, Pb, and Zn could be quantified on polished thin sections (EPMA quantification limit = 1000 mg kg−1, n = 111).

Results and discussion

Three mineralogical groups were evidenced by PCA, EPMA, and μSXRD data. (i) Fine-grained aggregates of aluminosilicates were frequently detected, appearing multiphased in organic matrices. They were mostly enriched with Zn and Pb without any As or Cu. (ii) (Mn, Ti)-rich Fe oxyhydroxides were predominantly SEM observed, either as isolated grains, silicate coatings, or included in aggregates. They represented the highest detected in situ concentrations for all the studied TE. And finally, (iii) Mn-rich particles were not frequently observed with SEM but when present were characterized by the highest TE concentrations. Phosphates, carbonates, and S-rich particles (sulfides and/or sulfates) were also determined by PCA as a potential mineralogical group. However, due to their very low TE concentrations and frequency, they could not be considered representative of a TE-bearing mineralogical group.

Conclusions

This fine sorting classification, combining different techniques at the particle scale, was used to visualize and quantify complex mineralogy and particle associations of TE-bearing phases in river bed sediments under no specific mineralogical control. It represents an interesting approach to understand TE mobility during sediment cascade and post-depositional processes in sediments.

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Acknowledgments

The authors greatly appreciated the high quality of analyses and discussions with the IBiSA platform of the University of Tours regarding SEM analyses (microscopies.med.univ-tours.fr) and with the MEN/CAMPARIS platform for EPMA analyses (UPMC, IPGP, UDD, MNHN, ENS, CSNSM, IN2P3, University of Poitiers and of La Rochelle; camparis.ecceterra.fr). X-ray diffraction was carried at the UMR 7347 GREMAN lab (University of Tours). MicroSXRD were performed at the Advanced Light Source at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (CA, USA). The microdiffraction program at the ALS on beamline 12.3.2 was made possible by NSF grants in 2012 and 2014. The authors also like to thank Susan Edrich (Interconnect LC) for her re-reading of this manuscript.

Funding

The financial support for this long research program was multiple, and authors would like to thank the French organizations which fund research on the Loire basin (Agence de l’Eau Loire-Bretagne, Etablissement Public Loire, the University of Tours and Limoges, France). This study was also partly funded by the European program FEDER run by the Conseil Regional Centre-Val de Loire, referenced as 2016-110381.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Université de Tours EA 6293 GéoHydrosystèmes continentaux, Parc de Grandmont, 37200, Tours, France

    Cecile Grosbois

  2. Université de Limoges EA 7500 PEIRENE, 123 avenue Albert Thomas, 87060, Limoges, France

    Alexandra Courtin-Nomade

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  1. Cecile Grosbois
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  2. Alexandra Courtin-Nomade
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Correspondence to Cecile Grosbois.

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Grosbois, C., Courtin-Nomade, A. Microscale distribution of trace elements: a methodology for accessing major bearing phases in stream sediments as applied to the Loire basin (France). J Soils Sediments 20, 498–512 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-019-02355-x

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