Spatial and temporal distribution of heavy metal concentrations and enrichment in the southern Gulf of Mexico

摘要: Trace element (As, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, V and Zn) enrichment trends during the past century, were assessed in thirteen 210Pb-dated sediment cores from southern Gulf of Mexico, with purpose to evaluate impact on environment, potentially public health, offshore oil industry spills such as that Ixtoc1 well blowout 1979. The trace composition was quite homogeneous among cores; pre-industrial concentrations Ba, Cu Ni are naturally high region, reach levels potential ecological concern. influence multiple simultaneous processes (e.g. industrial activities, natural seeps, fluvial discharges) is difficult disentangle. Some suggested long-term preservation putative spill traces, although it not possible attribute their origin. Al-normalized redox ratios, crude contamination ratio, these events occurred along almost four decades, traces attributed comparable background conditions, most likely owing active seeps area. In cases there a trend towards lowering supply elements; this might be associated environmental controls region since 1980s. This study highlights relevance using dated archives reconstruct historical metal areas where studies scarce.