| Title | Influence of lead smelter emissions on the distribution of metals in marine sediments from Chaleur Bay, eastern Canada |
| Author | Parsons, M B; Cranston, R E |
| Source | Geochemistry: Exploration, Environment, Analysis vol. 6, no. 2-3, 2006 p. 259-276, https://doi.org/10.1144/1467-7873/05-082 |
| Year | 2006 |
| Alt Series | Geological Survey of Canada, Contribution Series 2003241 |
| Publisher | Geological Society of London |
| Document | serial |
| Lang. | English |
| Media | paper; on-line; digital |
| File format | html; pdf |
| Province | Offshore region |
| NTS | 21O/09; 21O/10; 21O/15; 21O/16; 21P/10; 21P/11; 21P/12; 21P/13; 21P/14; 21P/15; 22A/02; 22A/03; 22A/04; 22A/05; 22A/06; 22A/07; 22B/01; 22B/02; 22B/07; 22B/08 |
| Area | Charleur Bay |
| Lat/Long WENS | -66.4167 -64.4000 48.5000 47.5833 |
| Subjects | environmental geology; hydrogeology; geochemistry; metallic minerals; lead geochemistry; lead isotope ratios; environmental studies; environmental controls; hydrologic environment; environmental
impacts; heavy metals contamination; smelters; smelting; metals; pollution; marine sediments |
| Illustrations | location maps; tables; graphs; equations; element distribution diagrams |
| Program | Metals in the Environment (MITE) |
| Released | 2006 06 14 |
| Abstract | Metal concentrations in surficial marine sediments collected from many parts of Chaleur Bay are significantly higher than background levels. The bay receives metals from various sources including a Pb
smelter, an Hg-cell chlor-alkali plant, and numerous mined and unmined base-metal deposits. This study examines the sources, fluxes, and dispersal patterns of metals released to the bay, and the processes that control the transport and fate of these
elements in the marine environment. Bottom sediments collected from 124 sites show the following ranges in metal(oid) concentrations (mg/kg): As, 2.8-74; Cd, 0.02-69; Cu, 3.4-200; Hg, <0.01-2.4; Pb, 0.3-2000; and Zn, 22-3200. Dispersion of smelter
effluents and atmospheric emissions by wind and/or nearshore currents has resulted in an area of elevated As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn concentrations in surficial sediments within c. 10-20km of the smelter. The concentrations of most metals decrease
sharply with increasing distance from the smelter; however, Pb concentrations exceed background levels in surface sediments throughout the bay. Lead isotope ratios suggest that the surface enrichment of Pb throughout the bay is mainly derived from
smelter emissions and historical leaded gasoline combustion. |
| GEOSCAN ID | 215029 |
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