Geochemical and isotopic (O-Fe-Sr-Nd) characterization of reference materials relevant to environmental impact assessments
Journal Publication ResearchOnline@JCUAbstract
This study presents multi-faceted characterization of riverine and marine reference materials (RM) relevant for undertaking environmental impact assessments associated with mining or anthropogenic activities. These include composite stream sediments (JSd-2, JSd-3), marine sediments (MESS-3, HISS-1), a banded iron formation (FeR-4) and a basalt (BHVO-2). Whole rock major and volatile element contents (C, H, S) contents were determined using X-ray fluorescence and an elemental analyzer, respectively. Following hotplate digestions 47 trace elements were determined via solution induction coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). Oxygen isotope compositions (δ18O) were measured using an isotope ratio- MS. Stable Fe (δ56Fe) and radiogenic 87Sr/86Sr and 143Nd/144Nd isotope compositions were measured using multi-collector ICP-MS. These results demonstrate that caution should be applied when selecting a sedimentary RM given some suffer from significant heterogeneity (e.g. HISS-1) across multiple parameters including volatile and trace element contents and stable and radiogenic isotope compositions. Due to the potentially diverse source components of siliciclastic sediments (i.e. inherited heterogeneity), when conducting environmental impact assessments across certain settings (e.g., riverine; estuarine; marine), a wider uncertainty window should be applied before definitively ascribing subtle differences to exogenous contamination.
Journal
Advances in Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry
Publication Name
Advances in Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry
Volume
1
ISBN/ISSN
2977-1994
Edition
N/A
Issue
2
Pages Count
9
Location
N/A
Publisher
University of Uppsala
Publisher Url
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Publisher Location
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Publish Date
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Url
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Date
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EISSN
N/A
DOI
10.33063/agc.v1i2.986