Vanadium and Cadmium in Shallow Marine Sediments: Spatial and Temporal Behavior in the Tamaulipas Continental Platform, Gulf of Mexico, Mexico

Abstract:

This study analyzed 27 surface sediment samples from the Tamaulipas Continental shelf to determine the spatial–temporal distribution of V and Cd (spring–summer 2016; summer 2017). Average V concentrations (99 ± 18 mg g⁻¹) were similar to that previously reported values for the area, while average Cd concentrations reflect uncontaminated sediments at surface level of the shelf. Inputs of V and Cd may be related to hydrocarbon and anthropogenic contributions from South and North of the Gulf of Mexico. The variability shown by both elements results from the hydrodynamics and hydrology of the area produced by local currents, eddies of the Loop Current, resuspension of fine sediments and contribution of terrigenous material. Considering that both metals showed significant differences (Shapiro–Wilk, p = 0), baseline concentrations could not be established, instead a reference interval of 79–122 µg g⁻¹ for V and 0.121–0.258 µg g⁻¹ for Cd in sediments from the Tamaulipas platform is suggested.

Keywords: Metals, Seasonal variations, Marine pollution, Loop Current, Reference interval