Trace element concentrations in sediments from Kadavu passage, Fiji

Abstract

Grab sediments, collected from 11 locations from the Pacific Ocean floor in the region between Suva Peninsula and Kadavu Island, Fiji, were investigated for concentrations of 20 elements using neutron activation and high-resolution gamma ray spectroscopy techniques. The sediments were collected at distances between 5-35 km from the mainland and at ocean depths ranging from 500 to 2000 m. A comparison of the elemental abundances of these sediments with those of the Suva lagoon and other nearby locations indicates that the ocean sediments are likely to be derived from sediments washed out to sea from the mainland. The sediments also show no evidence of any metal contamination from the industrial activity in the Suva metropolitan area.