Distribution of heavy metals in surface sediments from an Antarctic marine ecosystem.

The concentrations of lead, cadmium, copper, chromium, iron, manganese and zinc in surface sediments collected from Potter Cove, in the 25 de Mayo Island (King George Island), Antarctica, and its drainage basin, were measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The obtained results were use to determine the areal and vertical distribution of the metals of in the Cove and potential sources of these metals to this environment. The geochemical data suggest that most of the metals found in Potter Cove constitute a redistribution of autochthonous materials within the ecosystem. Therefore, the metal concentrations can be considered to be present at natural background levels in surface sediments.