Distribution of Vanadium in the Surficial Sediments of Prydz Bay, Indian Sector of the Southern Ocean

ABSTRACT The study was carried out in seven stations to assess concentration levels of Vanadium (V) in sediments of the Prydz Bay, Indian sector of the Southern Ocean during the austral summer season. Sediment analysis showed that V concentration on the eastern side was extensively higher than on the western side of Prydz Bay. A significant observation was the high concentration of V concentration in fine sediment fraction than in total metal fraction. Vanadium concentration level on the western side varied from 19.4 to 45.5 mg/kg while it was 40.9–65.8 mg/kg on the eastern side of Prydz Bay. The prevailing petroleum-related activities coupled with fuel combustion processes at various research stations in the Antarctic subcontinent and the influence of sea ice cover interaction could be the reason for the high V concentration on the eastern side of Prydz Bay. A significant spatial variation in textural characteristics, elemental composition, and total organic carbon was observed with high concentration levels of total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), and total hydrogen (TH) in the eastern part of Prydz Bay. The statistical analysis revealed a strong positive correlation of V concentration with governing factors at p < .01 level.