ToxicMetals Enrichment in the Surficial Sediments of a Eutrophic Tropical Estuary (Cochin Backwaters, Southwest Coast of India)

Content Provider	CUSAT-Thesis
Author	Chandramohanakumar, N. Martin, G. D. Rejomon, George Shaiju, P. Muraleedharan, K. R. Nair, S. M.
Abstract	Concentrations and distributions of trace metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in surficial sediments of the Cochinbackwaters were studied during both monsoon and pre-monsoon periods. Spatial variations were in accordance with texturalcharaterstics and organic matter content. A principal component analysis distinguished three zones with different metal accumulationcapacity: (i) highest levels in north estuary, (ii) moderate levels in central zone, and (iii) lowest levels in southern part.Trace metal enrichments are mainly due to anthropogenic contribution of industrial, domestic, and agricultural effluents, whoseeffect is enhanced by settling of metals due to organic flocculation and inorganic precipitation associated with salinity changes.Enrichments factors using Fe as a normalizer showed that metal contamination was the product of anthropogenic activities. Anassessment of degree of pollution-categorized sediments as moderately polluted with Cu and Pb, moderately-to-heavily pollutedwith Zn, and heavily-to-extremely polluted with Cd. Concentrations at many sites largely exceed NOAA ERL (e.g., Cu, Cr, and Pb)or ERM (e.g., Cd, Ni, and Zn). This means that adverse effects for benthic organisms are possible or even highly probable.
File Format	PDF
Language	English
Publisher	Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Access Restriction	Open
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article