Study of the geochemical control processes in estuarine sediments by means of factorial analysis (Tinto river estuary, SW Spain)

It has been determined absolute concentrations of major and trace elements and granulometrics composition of two vibracores in the Tinto river estuary. Fe oxy-hydroxide precipitation and its scavenging effect on metals is the main control process on the chemical composition of sediment. Factorial analysis of principal components allows recognizing four groups, the first one is composed by metals associated to Fe2O3 and P2O5 (Cr, Cu, Zn, Pb, Ni, As, Cd, U, Mn, Co and Se). The second one related Ba, Rb, Y, Zr, Th and Sc with K2O and mud. The third group indicates the presence of phyllosilicates and heavy minerals, and is made up of Cr, Ni, Zr, Li, Be, Y and V. The last one, formed by CaO and Sr, represents the carbonate presence of biogenic origi