| Abstract: | The interstitial water composition (
, alkalinity, Ca2+, Mg2+, Sr2+, Na+, K+) and the cation exchange capacity (CEC) were determined for the muddy sediments of the continental shelf off the Gironde Estuary (France), in the area where the sediment represents the deposit of the muddy suspension of the river. In comparison with seawater concentrations, the pore waters below 10 cm depth, show depletions of
and Ca2+ and below a 30 cm depth show depletions of Mg2+. Inversely, the upper 10 cm an enrichment of Ca2+ concentration, and an increase of K+ concentration to a 40 cm depth. High values of
are observed at the top 4 cm. Alkalinity enrichment is observed along the length of the core. Applying the alkalinity models for the sediment below a 10 cm depth demonstrates generally that calculated alkalinities are higher than the measured ones. Ca2+ dissolution occurs at the first 10 cm and authigenic carbonate precipitation starts beneath that level. Mg2+ depletion is accompanied by bicarbonate loss. This proves that Mg2+ depletion is due to a Mg-silicate reaction. The result of the CEC does not confirm the Mg2+ uptake by clay minerals in exchangeable site, under reducing conditions. Diffusion and bioturbation play an important role in the pore water concentration at the top of the core. |
