Investigating heavy metal pollution in Anzali coastal wetland sediments: A statistical approach to source identification

• Published in: Marine pollution bulletin 2023-09, Vol.194 (Pt B), p.115376-115376, Article 115376
• Main Authors: Zarei, Sina, Karbassi, Abdolreza, Sadrinasab, Masoud, Sarang, Amin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anzali Wetland; Heavy metals; Pollution; Sediments; Source identification; Statistical analysis
• ISSN: 0025-326X; 1879-3363
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115376

In this study, the pollution and bioavailability of heavy metals in the sediments of Anzali Wetland were measured by analyzing data from sequential chemical extraction of sediments, risk assessment code (RAC), and sediment pollution indices. The average RAC results indicated that the risk from Zn, Cr, Cu, and Hg was low, while the risk from Pb, Ni, As, and Cd was moderate. To identify the sources of heavy metal pollution in the sediments of Anzali Wetland, multivariate statistical techniques such as Pearson correlation analysis, cluster analysis (CA), and principal component analysis (PCA) were employed. The results of the statistical analyses at a high significance level revealed that Zn, Cr, Cu, Pb, Ni, and As were attributed to natural sources. Additionally, the statistical analyses demonstrated that the concentrations of Cd and Hg in the sediments of Anzali Wetland were influenced by non-oil organic sources and atmospheric deposition, respectively. •Chemical fractions of Zn, Cr, Cu, Pb, Ni, As, Cd, and Hg were measured.•The origin of heavy metals was assessed using multivariate statistical methods.•Natural sources were identified as the main origins for Zn, Cr, Cu, Pb, Ni, and As.•Cd was attributed to anthropogenic sources, especially non-oil organic matter.•Hg pollution in the sediments was linked to atmospheric deposition.