Deep-sea deposition of barium, cobalt and silver

Abstract

The accumulation rates of barium, cobalt and silver have been determined in a Mid-Atlantic Ridge core from the South Atlantic (Lamont core V16–36) in which clay accumulation rate is about 0·1 g/cm 2/1000 yr and the concentrations of cobalt and barium were previously shown to be the highest in the Atlantic (on a carbonate-free basis). Comparison of accumulation rates with supply rates of these elements by streams as dissolved, desorbable and detrital loads indicate that continental supply is adequate to account for the observed accumulation rates in V16–36 and by deduction for the Atlantic as a whole. Trace element concentration patterns in the Atlantic Ocean are thus explainable on the basis of continental supply alone while not ruling out minor contributions from other sources.