Heavy metal assessment in surface sediments off Coromandel Coast of India: Implication on marine pollution

• Published in: Marine pollution bulletin 2018-06, Vol.131 (Pt A), p.712-726
• Main Authors: N, Anbuselvan, D, Senthil Nathan, M, Sridharan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Accumulation; Anthropogenic factors; Area; Bay of Bengal; Cadmium; Chromium; Coastal environments; Cobalt; Contamination; Copper; Distribution; Environmental Monitoring; Estuaries; Factor analysis; Geologic Sediments - analysis; Geologic Sediments - chemistry; Heavy metals; India; Iron; Lead; Marine pollution; Metal concentrations; Metals, Heavy - analysis; Nickel; Organic matter; Pollution; Pollution index; Sea pollution; Sediment; Sediment pollution; Sediments; Shelf sediments; Spatial distribution; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Zinc
• ISSN: 0025-326X; 1879-3363
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.04.074

The present study investigates the distribution of heavy metals (Fe, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn and Pb) in the surface sediments along the Coromandel Coast of Bay of Bengal as an indicator of marine pollution. Pollution indices such as Contamination factor (CF), Enrichment factor (EF) and Geo-accumulation index (I) were performed to assess the spatial distribution and pollution status of the study area. The heavy metal concentration in the study area is closely associated with grain size and organic matter. Both geoaccumulation index and metal contamination factor indicate that the sediments are free from contamination with regards to the metals Cr and Ni, followed by uncontamination to moderate contamination of Co, Cu and Zn. However, sediments are found to be extremely polluted with respect to Cd and Pb. Factor analysis reveals that the accumulation of these heavy metals in the shelf sediments are due to anthropogenic inputs from the adjacent land area. •Heavy metal assessment on the surface sediments study area reveals that mud, organic matter and Fe oxyhydroxides have controlled the accumulation of Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn.•The high amount of sand in the shallower region indicates the prevalence of high energy condition and organic matter is due to the input of terrigenous material which includes discharge of untreated domestic wastes and industrial wastes.•CF and Igeo values of Cd in the present area denote that the study area is extremely contaminated by Cd and moderately contaminated by Pb, Cu and Zn from the anthropogenic sources such as mining and industries, anti-corrosive paints used in boats and ships, and fertilizer for agricultural activities.