Environmental characteristics of trace metals in seawater from the Ninety East Ridge in the Indian Ocean.

The Ninety East Ridge in the Indian Ocean has complex and unique characteristics. The concentrations and distribution characteristics of 10 trace metals (V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Cd, Pb, and U) in seawater from the Ninety East Ridge in the Indian Ocean were investigated. Results show that the average concentrations of different trace metals in all the collected seawater samples were 1.134 µg/L for V, 0.158 µg/L for Cr, 0.489 µg/L for Mn, 0.427 µg/L for Fe, 0.011 µg/L for Co, 0.395 µg/L for Ni, 0.403 µg/L for Cu, 0.097 µg/L for Cd, 0.139 µg/L for Pb, and 3.470 µg/L for U. Differences in the horizontal and vertical distributions of all measured trace metals were revealed, and the occurrence of high concentrations was nonuniform. In addition, the significant differences in the concentration distribution of different trace metals in seawater on both sides of the Ninety East Ridge present regional segmentation in the area for various trace metals in deep sea water. This study provided basic data for future investigations on the environmental and ecological impact of trace metals in the Indian Ocean and the potential water mass transport mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]