Geochemistry of Channel Drifts of the Kai River (Vietnam)
and Sediments of Its Mouth Zone

G. N. Baturin^a, N. V. Lobus^a, V. I. Peresypkin^a, and V. T. Komov^b

^a Shirshov Institute of Oceanology (IO RAN), Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia

e-mail: galibatur@list.ru

^b Papanin Institute of Biology of Inner Waters (IBVV RAN), Russian Academy of Sciences, Borok, Russia

Received June 26, 2013

Abstract—The complex lithological–geochemical investigation of the river–sea system included the analysis
of the distribution of 56 elements in bottom sediments sampled along the following profile: the Kai River chan-
nel, its delta, and the shelf of the South China Sea (Vietnam). It was revealed that the sediments are generally
enriched with sulfur, alkali elements (Na, Li, Rb, Ce), and ore metals (Ag, U, Bi, Mo, W) as compared with the
average composition of the particulate matter in rivers and clayey rocks of continents. In each segment of this
profile, the elemental composition of the sediments varies with minimum concentrations of heavy metals being
confined to its end parts. The sediments are dominated by terrigenous material, which contains ore components.
Despite the pollution of the seawater with industrial and domestic waste waters, the content of heavy metals in
the shelf sediments never exceeds the admissible ecological values, which is probably determined by the sedi-
ment roiling by waves and bottom currents with subsequent removal of the colloid and pelitic material and its
transport to the open sea. The analysis of the available data shows that a significant or the dominant part of the
terrigenous material may be transported to the sea basin together with drift sediments, in addition to particulate
matter.

DOI: 10.1134/S0001437014050026

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