Éditeur(s) : Elsevier Science Bv
Résumé : For many trace elements, continental margins are the location of intense exchange processes between sediment and seawater, which control their distribution in the water column, but have yet to be fully understood. In this study, we have investigated the impact of fluid seepage at cold seeps on the marine cycle of neodymium. We determined dissolved and total dissolvable (TD) concentrations for REE and well-established tracers of fluid seepage (CH4, TDFe, TDMn), and Nd isotopic compositions in seawater samples collected above cold seeps and a reference site (i.e. away from any fluid venting area) from the Niger Delta margin. We also analyzed cold seep authigenic phases and various core-top sediment fractions (pore water, detrital component, easily leachable phases, uncleaned foraminifera) recovered near the hydrocast stations. Methane, TDFe and TDMn concentrations clearly indicate active fluid venting at the studied seeps, with plumes rising up to about 100 m above the seafloor. Depth profiles show pronounced REE enrichments in the non-filtered samples (TD concentrations) within plumes, whereas filtered samples (dissolved concentrations) exhibit slight REE depletion in plumes relative to the overlying water column and display typical seawater REE patterns. These results suggest that the net flux of REE emitted into seawater at cold seeps is controlled by the presence of particulate phases, most probably Fe-Mn oxyhydroxides associated to resuspended sediments. At the reference site, however, our data reveal significant enrichment for dissolved REE in bottom waters, that clearly relates to diffusive benthic fluxes from surface sediments. Neodymium isotopic ratios measured in the water column range from epsilon(Nd) similar to-15.7 to -10.4. Evidence that the epsilon(Nd) values for Antarctic Intermediate waters (AAIW) differed from those reported for the same water mass at open ocean settings shows that sediment/water interactions take place in the Gulf of Guinea. At each site, however, the bottom water epsilon(Nd) signature generally differs from that for cold seep minerals, easily leachable sediment phases, and detrital fractions from local sediments, ruling out the possibility that seepage of methane-rich fluids and sediment dissolution act as a substantial source of dissolved Nd to seawater in the Gulf of Guinea. Taken together, our data hence suggest that co-precipitation of Fe-Mn oxyhydroxide phases in sub-surface sediments leads to quantitative scavenging of dissolved REE at cold seeps, preventing their emission into bottom waters. Most probably, it is likely that diffusion from suboxic surface sediments dominates the exchange processes affecting the marine Nd cycle at the Niger Delta margin. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Earth And Planetary Science Letters (0012-821X) (Elsevier Science Bv), 2011-12 , Vol. 312 , N. 3-4 , P. 443-452

Droits : 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00066/17754/15571.pdf
DOI:10.1016/j.epsl.2011.10.008
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00066/17754/

Éditeur(s) : Elsevier
Résumé : The accumulation of nine heavy metals in fine-grained sediments from the mangrove fringed coast of French Guiana is evaluated. The dynamic features of the South American tropical coastline, from the Amazon to the Orinoco Rivers, result in mangrove sediments being alternately submitted to phases of erosion and net sedimentation a few tens of years long. This process influences the distribution of the heavy metals associated with these frequently re-mobilized deposits. Sedimentary cores and mangrove plant samples were collected, at different seasons, in various swamps characterized by different properties (content of sedimentary organic matter, distance from sea water and fresh water). The ranges of measured concentrations expressed in mu mol g(-1) were the following: Cu (0.06 to 0.61), Co (0.12 to 0.68), Pb (0.08 to 0.18), Ni (0.32 to 0.76), Cr (0.61 to 1.40), Zn (1.25 to 5.94), Mn (4.36 to 45.4) and Fe (441 to 1128). No differences were found between sediments from mangroves developing upstream and downstream of urban areas, i.e. Cayenne and Kourou. This suggests that the content of mangrove sediments in heavy metals along the coastline of French Guiana is essentially the result of the continuous alternation of accumulation and transport phases occurring upstream after departing from the Amazon watershed. The sources of this heavy metals content are thus difficult to identify. However it is well known that the alluvium produced by the natural erosion of the Amazonian soils is naturally enriched in mercury. Also, the run-off from gold mining activities is known to contribute to mercury pollution. Ranges in total Hg were between 0.15 and 2.57 nmol g(-1), with mean values close to 0.41 nmol g(-1), and were clearly correlated with total organic carbon except for some outstanding high values, which may be a result of rapid geochemical changes. Heavy metal concentrations showed variations with depth. The redox conditions and the decay processes affecting the organic matter control the cycling of iron and manganese, which in turn control the concentrations and associations of heavy metals. These preliminary results suggest that the variations in heavy metal content with depth or between mangrove areas result largely from diagenetic processes rather than changes in metal input resulting from local human activities. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Marine Chemistry (0304-4203) (Elsevier), 2006 , Vol. 98 , N. 1 , P. 1-17

Droits : 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/2006/publication-1041.pdf
DOI:10.1016/j.marchem.2005.06.001
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/1041/

Éditeur(s) : Elsevier Science Bv
Résumé : Climatic and anthropogenic changes are able to engender modifications in the aerosol composition at different geographical and temporal scales The present study addresses this question for the trace metal concentrations (TM = Al, Fe, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Pb, Cd and Zn) of aerosol from the North-western Mediterranean coast of France (Cap Ferrat, nearby Nice) between 1986 and 2008. From seasonal variations (2006-08) and decadal trends (1986-2008) of TM concentrations. three groups of elements can be distinguished They consist of different aerosol sources: crustal-derived elements (Al, Fe. Mn and Co), trace metals of anthropogenic origin (Pb, Cd and Zn) and a third, intermediate, group of trace metals that presented both anthropogenic and natural/crustal influences (Ni and Cu). Reproducible seasonal patterns were observed for crustal and intermediate elements with highest concentrations between May and November. while anthropogenic trace metals did not show a pronounced seasonal cycle Nevertheless, highest concentrations of anthropogenic trace metals occurred mostly in autumn/winter. Aerosol concentrations of anthropogenic TMs decreased remarkably over the last two decades, while crustal trace metals did not show any evolution Nickel and copper aerosol concentrations remained constant, as well. Lead concentrations decreased from 1986 (29.34 ng m(-3)) to 2008 (3.33 ng m(-3)). overall by 90%. Cadmium and zinc aerosol concentrations decreased by 66 and 54%, respectively, between 1998 and 2006-08. from 0.27 to 0.09 ng m(-3) and from 23.9 to 10.9 ng m(-3). respectively. These findings demonstrate the response of the atmospheric environment to the implementation of antipollution policies Possible changes of trace metal emissions sources and local influences are discussed (C) 2010 Elsevier B V. All rights reserved.
Science Of The Total Environment (0048-9697) (Elsevier Science Bv), 2010-06 , Vol. 408 , N. 13 , P. 2629-2638

Droits : 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00006/11688/8503.pdf
DOI:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2010.02.042
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00006/11688/