ABSTRACT
P. N. BOOTHE and B. J. PRESLEY Department of Oceanography, Texas A&M University, College Station,
Texas 77843-3146, USA
ABSTRACT
Sediments within 500 m of 6 offshore drilling sites in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico were studied. The objective was a detailed characterization of sediment gradients of elements known to be major constituents of drilling fluids e.g. Ba, and of trace elements of environmental concern, e.g. Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb, Zn, which may be released during drilling. Exploration, development and production sites in both shallow and deep water were studied to determine how the amount of drilling, environment and time since last drilling influence ambient sediment characteristics.
