Publication Abstract

Dissolved and particulate trace metals in surface waters over the Dogger Bank, central North Sea

C.F. Fileman, I. Haslam, M. Althaus and R.J. Law

Samples of surface water were collected from 14 stations over the southern Dogger Bank and the Outer Silver Pit in Nov. 1989. Analyses were carried out for dissolved Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb by solvent extraction followed by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry (GFAAS), and for Hg (total and reactive) by cold vapour AAS (CVAAS). Samples of suspended particulate material, isolated by filtration were analysed for Al, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb by GFAAS following digestion with hydrofluoric acid, and for Hg by atomic fluorescence following digestion with concentrated nitric and hydrochloric acids. Concentrations of dissolved trace metals were in good agreement with those reported previously for the Central North Sea (Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Cd) and offshore waters (Pb, Hg). The concentrations of trace metals in suspended particulate material were similar to, or lower than, those reported by other workers. Elevated concentrations of some trace metals were seen in both phases following a storm.

Reference:

C.F. Fileman, I. Haslam, M. Althaus and R.J. Law, 1991. Dissolved and particulate trace metals in surface waters over the Dogger Bank, central North Sea. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 22: 241-244.