Elemental composition and bacterial occurrence in sediment samples on two sides of Broggerhalvoya, Svalbard

摘要

The present study was conducted to determine the elemental concentration and bacterial presence in the ocean on the two sides of Broggerhalvoya, a peninsula in Svalbard. Sediments from 25 different locations were collected and subjected to elemental analysis using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS). In total, 21 elements were analysed. The elements in their decreasing order of concentrations on the Kongsfjorden side of Broggerhalvoya were Fe> Mn> Ba > V > Zn > Sr > Rb > Cr > Li > Ni > As > Pb > Cu > Co > Cs > Ag > Be > U> Bi > Tl > Cd while that for Forlandsendet side of Broggerhalvoya they were Fe > Ba > Mn > V> Sr > Zn > Rb > Cr > Li > Ni > Pb > Cu > As > Co > Cs > Be > U> Tl > Bi > Cd. On the other hand, at a coastal outcrop, elements in their decreasing order of concentration were Fe > Mn > Cr > Sr > Ba > Rb > Cr > Zn > V > Rb > Ni > Li > Co > Cu > As > Pb > Cs > Be > Cd > Tl > U > Bi. AMS dates confirmed the age of outcrop sediment to be 12,496 to 42,500 BP. The crustal enrichment factor calculated for all the elements with reference to Fe values, demonstrates that the elements have derived from a crustal source. Total bacterial counts ranged from 3.30 x 10(5) to 3.02 x 10(6) per gm soil sediment. Culturable bacterial counts in these sediments were between 2.00 x 10(2) to 2.09 x 10(5) CFU's per gm. Overall comparison showed high Fe and Mn concentrations around Broggerhalvoya, due to the presence of specific bacteria which play key roles in metal cycling and carry out biogeochemical transformations.