Distribution of selected elements in surficial marine sediments of the northern Gulf of Mexico continental shelf and slope

Analyses for barium, beryllium, boron, calcium, cobalt, chromium, copper, iron, lanthanum, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, niobium, nickel, lead, scandium, tin, strontium, titanium, vanadium, yttrium, zinc, and zirconium were performed on 1,304 sediment samples from the continental shelf and slope of the northern Gulf of Mexico. Approximately 40 percent of the samples were collected in two relatively small regions, one seaward of Galveston, Texas, between long. 94° and 95° W. and the other around the Dry Tortugas on the south Florida shelf. The is remaining samples represent a broad reconnaissance survey extending from the Rio Grande to the Florida Keys.