Geochemical patterns in sediments near offshore production platforms

Patterns of the geochemical characteristics of sediments adjacent to three production platforms (22-150 m water depths) in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico were determined y the presence of the structure, the amount and type of materials discharged from the structure, and the local hydrographic setting. Sediments close to platforms (80 m), sediment trace metal contaminant patterns were stable over time frames of years. A few metals (Pb, Cd) exhibited evidence of continued accumulation in sediments over the history of the platform.