Accumulation of Subcolloidal Fraction Elements of Bottom Sediments in Amur Bay (Sea of Japan)

Abstract

The mean contents of elements (Fe, Mn, Zn, Pb, Cu, Cr, V, Co, Cd, Ni, As, Sc, Ga, Zr, Hf, Nb, Ta, W, Th, Mo) in the subcolloidal fraction of bottom sediments in the northern part of Amur Bay have been determined. A 5–17% increase is observed in the heavy metal content (Pb, Co, Ni, Zn, Cr, V, As) compared to the mean values for sediments directly subjected to the influence of the Razdolnaya River, which is related to flocculation and sorption on Fe and Mn oxyhydroxides. A linear dependence of heavy metal accumulation on the Fe and Mn content is established. An increase in the Cu and Mo content is revealed (by 49 and 44%, respectively), related to vital accumulation by plankton, as well as in increase in V, Cr, Co, Ni, Zn, Cd, and As (by 2–20%) in sediments subjected to anthropogenic impact.