Abstract
The distribution of anthropogenic trace metals (cadmium, copper, iron, lead and zinc) and organic matter was studied in several fractions (< 0.063 mm, 0.063–0.125 mm, 0.125–0.250 mm) of marine sediments. Regression analysis of the data using the ‘dummy variables’ approach proved the existence of anthropogenic trace metal and organic matter partitioning on different size fractions of the sediment particles. The sediment fractions 0.125–0.250 mm and 0.063–0.125 mm in most cases possessed similar ‘fingerprints’ of pollutants' distribution. However, the ‘fingerprints’ of pollutants' distribution in the finest sediment fraction (< 0.063 mm) differed, with a few exceptions, from those for the larger fractions. The ‘fingerprints’ approach to each separate sediment fraction can be used for the identification of anthropogenic contaminant sources. The residual concentrations of lead in various sediment fractions were found to be in very good agreement with existing literature values for the abundance of natural lead background in marine sediments. These residual lead values were observed to increase with decrease of sediment fraction dimension.
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