Spatial and seasonal distribution of multi-elements in suspended particulate matter (SPM) in tidally dominated Hooghly river estuary and their ecotoxicological relevance

• Published in: Environmental science and pollution research international 2020-04, Vol.27 (11), p.12658-12672
• Main Authors: Mitra, Soumita, Sudarshan, Mathummal, Jonathan, M.P., Sarkar, Santosh Kumar, Thakur, Sandeep
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Accumulation; Aluminum; Aquatic animals; Aquatic biota; Aquatic Pollution; Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Biological effects; Biota; Chromium; Contamination; Copper; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecotoxicology; Environment; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Health; Environmental Monitoring; Environmental science; Estuaries; Geologic Sediments; Hydroxides; India; Lead; Magnesium; Manganese; Metals, Heavy - analysis; Nickel; Organic carbon; Particulate matter; Particulate Matter - analysis; Particulate organic carbon; Phytoplankton; Pollution index; Pollution sources; Quotients; Regulatory sequences; Relative abundance; Research Article; Resource management; Restoration; Rivers; Seasonal distribution; Seasons; Silicon; Statistical analysis; Toxicity; Trace Elements - analysis; Waste Water Technology; Water Management; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Water pollution; Water Pollution Control; Water resources; Zinc
• ISSN: 0944-1344; 1614-7499
• DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-07662-2

The present work represented first study of the spatio-seasonal distribution of the multi-elements in the suspended particulate matter (SPM) of the tropical Hooghly river estuary (HRE), eastern part of India. The high load of SPM (20–3460 mg/l) might have induced negative impact on the phytoplankton density. The relative abundance of the studied elements exhibited the following decreasing trend (concentration in μg/g and %): Si(26.44 ± 3.75%) > Al(7.94 ± 1.52%) > Fe(6.17 ± 1.9%) > K(3.05 ± 1.5%) > Ca(1.97 ± 1.11%) > Mg(1.57 ± 1.71%) > Na(1.45 ± 8.40%) > Mn(1273 ± 2003) > Zn(178.43 ± 130.95) > V(151.54 ± 27.13) > Cr(147.08 ± 32.21) > Cu(62.06 ± 14.03) > Ni(49.64 ± 12.09) > Pb(21.5 ± 10.45). The accumulation of Ni, Cr, Pb, and Cu is mainly controlled by the formation of Fe hydroxides along with particulate organic carbon (POC) and salinity. The average geo-accumulation index (I geo ) and enrichment factor (EF) endorsed the substantial input of Cr (I geo  = 0.037; EF = 1.61) and Zn (I geo  = 0.123; EF = 2.07) from diffused pollution sources. From ecotoxicological point of view, the quality guidelines (QGs) suggested that Cr and Ni might possess frequent adverse biological effects. However, the mean probable effect level (PEL) quotient values revealed 49% probability of toxicity to the aquatic biota for five toxic elements (Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Pb). The geochemical approaches, pollution indices, and statistical evaluation together revealed low to moderate contamination in the estuary. This baseline data would be beneficial in adopting proper management strategies for sustainable utilization and restoration of the water resources. The authors strongly recommend continuous systematic monitoring and installation of treatment plants for management of this stressed estuary.