| Abstract: | The distribution of metal contaminants between different size fractions of marine sediments is well known. However, the use of size normalization techniques may alter the ability or usefulness in identifying potential sources in complex environments. In a reassessment of metal data from the shelf area of Sydney, Australia, the mud and sand fractions were investigated separately by PCA and PLS methodologies. The analyses were able to produce clear distinctions between industrial/urban sources when based on a suite of metals rather than individual (single-element) concentrations. Signature analysis by PLS with copper, lead, zinc, manganese, chromium, cobalt, nickel, and cadmium demonstrated the dispersion of the fine-grained contaminated material to the south in the East Australian Current. However, due to the commonality between many of the metals, a subset of four metals was used to define the signature. This significantly improved separation, showing clear plumes extending ～30 km from the source rivers. |
