Abstract
STUDIES of the geochemistry of trace metals in sea water are of great potential importance, given the wide diversity in their properties. Knowledge of their distribution provides information not only about the specific chemical processes in which they are involved but also about the formation, destruction and diagenesis of the major solid phases in which they become incorporated by biological and authigenic processes. Previous efforts to elucidate the behaviour of cadmium in the ocean have produced no systematic correlations with other oceano-graphic properties1. At the low levels encountered (< 0.1 parts per 109), problems with analysis and with contamination during sampling can be severe. Recent advances in analytical and handling techniques have led to progress in our understanding of other trace metals2–4, hence a re-examination of the marine geochemistry of cadmium is now appropriate. This note describes the general distribution of cadmium in the ocean, based on three detailed vertical profiles from the Pacific.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Brewer, P. G., in Chemical Oceanography, 2nd ed., 1 (edit. by Riley, J. P., and Skirrow, G.), ch. 7, 415 (Academic, London and New York, 1975).
Boyle, E. A., and Edmond, J. M., Nature, 253, 107–109 (1974).
Sclater, F., Boyle, E., and Edmond, J. M., Earth planet. Sci. Lett. (in the press).
Bender, M. L., and Gagner, C. L., J. mar. Res., 31, 119–128 (1976).
Boyle, E. A., and Edmond, J. M., in Analytical Methods in Oceanography, ACS Advances in Chemistry Series, No. 147, 44–45 (ACS, Washington, DC, 1975).
Knauer, G. A., and Martin, J. H., Limnol. Oceanogr., 18, 597–604 (1973).
Goldberg, E. D., Broecker, W. S., Gross, M. G., and Turekian, K. K., in Radio activity in the Marine Environment, 144 (National Academy of Sciences, 1971).
Martin, J. M., and Broenkow, W. W., Science, 190, 884–885 (1975).
Brass, G. W., and Turekian, K. K., Earth planet. Sci. Lett., 23, 141–148 (1974).
Wakita, H., in Handbook of Geochemistry, II-2 (edit. by Wedepohl), 48-1-1 (Springer, Berlin, 1970).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
BOYLE, E., SCLATER, F. & EDMOND, J. On the marine geochemistry of cadmium. Nature 263, 42–44 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1038/263042a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/263042a0
This article is cited by
-
Spatial and temporal variations of geochemical processes and toxicity of water, sediments, and suspended solids in Sibuti River Estuary, NW Borneo
Environmental Science and Pollution Research (2023)
-
High-precision double-spike Cd isotopic measurements of seawater by MC-ICP-MS and its application to seawater affected by hydrothermal vent fluids
Acta Geochimica (2023)
-
The behavior of trace elements in seawater, sedimentary pore water, and their incorporation into carbonate minerals: a review
Facies (2019)
-
Metal transfer budgets in a Mediterranean marine environment subjected to natural and anthropogenic inputs: case of the Mejerda River Delta (Gulf of Tunis, northern Tunisia)
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment (2019)
-
Sulfide influence on metal behavior in a polluted southern Mediterranean lagoon: implications for management
Environmental Science and Pollution Research (2018)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.
