Levels and distribution of trace metals in surface sediments from Kongsfjorden, Svalbard, Norwegian Arctic

Abstract

Trace metal contents (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) have been measured in 27 surface sediment samples collected from Kongsfjorden, Svalbard, Norwegian Arctic. The analyses yielded concentration values (in mg kg(-1)) of 0.13-0.63 for Cd, 11.89-21.90 for Co, 48.65-81.84 for Cr, 21.26-36.60 for Cu, 299.59-683.48 for Mn, 22.43-35.39 for Ni, 10.68-36.59 for Pb, 50.28-199.07 for Zn and 8.09-65.34 for Hg (in ng g(-1)), respectively. Relative cumulative frequency method has been used to define the baseline values of these metals, which (in mg kg(-1)) were 0.14 for Cd, 13.56 for Co, 57.86 for Cr, 25.14 for Cu, 364.08 for Mn, 26.22 for Ni, 17.46 for Pb, 70.49 for Zn and 9.76 for Hg (in ng g(-1)), respectively. The enrichment factor analysis indicated that Hg showed some extent of anthropogenic pollution, while Pb, Zn and Cd showed limited anthropogenic contamination in the study areas.

Effect of diet, location and sampling year on bioaccumulation of mercury, selenium and cadmium in pelagic feeding seabirds in Svalbard

“…No correlations were found when the residuals from the regression between d 13 C and d 15 N were regressed against Hg. Similarly, despite significant enrichment of d 13 C in kittiwakes from Kongsfjorden relative to Liefdefjorden (À19.91‰ and À20.54‰, respectively; Long range oceanic transport of Hg in Atlantic water is suggested as a contributor to the Hg load of surface sediments in Kongsfjorden (Lu et al, 2013). Hence, Hg enriched Atlantic water may have contributed to the enrichment of Hg in little auks from Kongsfjorden relative to Liefdefjorden (Fig.…”

“…2) may also be a result of local geological differences or long range oceanic transport resulting in higher input of Hg to Kongsfjorden (Lu et al, 2013). Correlations between Hg and d 13 C have been found in seabirds from areas where the terrestrial input of Hg is significant (Bond and Diamond, 2009).…”

Blood and feather concentrations of toxic elements in a Baltic and an Arctic seabird population

“…Compared to the Baltic Sea, Svalbard is considered a relatively clean area . However, sediment analyses indicate that there may be some Cd, Pb and Hg pollution in regions of the Norwegian Arctic (Lu et al, 2013). The major input of toxic elements into the Arctic, however, results from transport from more industrialized areas (AMAP, 2005), and evidence suggests that Hg deposition in the Arctic may increase due to increased global emissions (Riget et al, 2011).…”

“…Sediment analysis from the Baltic Sea (Gulf of Finland) and Svalbard (Kongsfjorden) indicates that the concentrations of Cd and Hg are higher in the Baltic Sea compared to Svalbard, but for other toxic elements, sediment concentrations may be comparable between the two locations (Grotti et al, 2013;Lu et al, 2013;Vallius, 2009Vallius, , 2015a.…”

Major threats of pollution and climate change to global coastal ecosystems and enhanced management for sustainability

“…(Osher et al, 2006;Choi et al, 2007;Nieto et al, 2007;Popadic et al, 2013;Brady et al, 2014;Looi et al, 2015) 22.07 Kongsfjorden in Norway (Z. Lu et al, 2013) There have been few studies on the temporal trend of metal contamination on a global scale. The temporal trend of metal contamination, as presented in several sources, could not be determined accurately due to differences in sampling sites, sampling methods and detection methods.…”