Trace Metal Concentrations in Sediments from the Gavish Sabkha

Abstract

The role played by early diagenetic processes in the chemical transformation, mobilization and speciation of trace metals in nearshore sediments is poorly understood. In addition, little information, either qualitative or quantitative, is available regarding trace metal concentration and accumulation in hypersaline environments. The analysis of hypersaline sediments for trace metals is important due to the fact that recently both Renfro (1974) and J. H. Davis (1977) have suggested that diagenetic interactions in supratidal sabkha environments may be influential in the formation of “Mississippi Valley” and “Copper-Shale” (i.e., Kupferschiefer) type stratiform base metal deposits.