Dust deposition in the central Mediterranean (Tyrrhenian and Adriatic Seas): Relationships with marine sediments and riverine input

Major (Al, Ca, Fe, Mg, Mn, Si) and minor (Cd, Pb, Zn) elements of aeolian dust samples collected onboard ship around Italy were analysed, and the concentrations of metal in the dusts were in good agreement with previously published data from the Mediterranean Sea. The elemental composition of dust samples collected in four subareas (Adriatic, Ionian, Tyrrhenian, and Sicily Channel) was compared with the composition of marine deep sediments obtained in the same regions: Mn, Al, Cd and Zn contents differentiated between the four areas in both sets of samples, suggesting a possible 'geochemical signature' of the atmospheric crustal contribution in marine deep sediments. An estimate of the relative contribution of atmospheric dry deposition of Cd, Pb and Zn and riverine discharge indicates that: (a) the metals deposited from the atmosphere to the Adriatic basin are a small fraction (2-5%) of those discharged by the Po and Adige rivers; (b) almost the same amounts of Cd, Pb and Zn are delivered to the Tyrrhenian Sea by the atmosphere and by the Arno and Tiber Rivers. Copyright © 1989, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved.