The Chemical Composition of Sea Water in the Vicinity of the Atlantic Provinces of Canada

Abstract

Samples of sea water from eight locations at the surface around the coast of the Atlantic Provinces of Canada have been analyzed for their content of major and minor chemical constituents. The salt water in the Bras d'Or Lakes of Cape Breton Island, N.S., was different from that in the contiguous Atlantic Ocean and showed evidence of much dilution. The seven other samples examined averaged 17.17‰ for chlorinity and 31.03‰ for salinity. These averages are low for open oceanic waters. The average composition of sea water for this area was as follows in grams per kilogram: Na, 9.55; K, 0.34; Ca, 0.37; Mg, 1.15; SO₄, 2.36; B as H₃BO₃, 0.0243. Concentrations of the trace elements in micrograms per litre varied within the following limits: As as As₂O₃, 1.4 to 2.0; Co, 0.33 to 0.67; Cu, 13 to 22; F, 860 to 1200; I, 6 to 53; Mo, 6.3 to 14.0; PO₄, 5 to 69; Si, 44 to 95; Zn, 6.5 to 10.9. Nickel was also present in all samples but vanadium was not detected. The various ratios of the mineral elements, especially to chlorine, have been calculated, and show only slight divergence from those for open ocean water.