Trace metal levels in the Eastern Arctic Ocean

Abstract

During the Swedish Arctic Expedition “Ymer-80” into the Eastern Arctic Ocean between North Greenland and Franz-Josef-Land, surface and deep sea water samples were collected. Differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV) at rotating mercury film electrodes with a glassy carbon substrate was used on board the ship for the determination of Cd, Pb and Cu. Mean trace metal levels in surface waters were: 8.1 ± 1.4 ng kg −1 Cd, 14.8 ± 3.5 ng kg −1 Pb, 93 ± 38 ng kg −1 Cu and 126 ± 54 ng kg −1 Ni. Deep water samples show lower values of Pb and higher values of Cd, Cu and Ni. The values at depths of 1500 and 2000m, respectively were: 21 and 13 ng kg −1 Cd, 3.9 and 2.1 ng kg −1 Pb, 180 and 400 ng kg −1 Cu and 220 and 230 ng kg −1 Ni.