title: Assessment of heavy metals in sediments of the Don Hoi Lot area in the Mae Klong estuary, Thailand.
abstract: The status and seasonal variation of heavy metals in surface sediment were investigated at Don Hoi Lot, located in the Mae Klong estuary, Thailand. Results revealed that all the measured heavy metals, except Zn, in the sediments had lower concentrations than in other nearby estuaries. Only Zn may be of concern for potential negative effects on estuarine biota in the study area. With the exception of Fe, all the studied heavy metals showed seasonal variation, but the patterns were diverse. Organic matter and the clay fraction in sediments were good sinks for heavy metals, excluding Zn, while Fe and Mn were good catchers. Principal component analysis suggested that Zn might have different origins and/or mechanisms of transport, accumulation and circulation, compared with the other heavy metals studied. A better understanding of sources and the behavior of Zn would enhance the efficiency of the estuary management plan in this study area.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Technology and Management, Faculty of Environment, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand. patthra@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Patthra
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pengthamkeerati
authors.forename: Narumol
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kornkanitnan
authors.forename: Suchat
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sawangarreruks
authors.forename: Nantanit
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wanichacheva
authors.forename: Chantana
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wainiphithapong
authors.forename: Nipawan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sananwai
mesh_terms: D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D063366:Estuaries; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000032:analysis*; D007501:Iron / Q000032:analysis; D008345:Manganese / Q000032:analysis; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis*; D013785:Thailand; D015032:Zinc / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D019216:Metals, Heavy; D008345:Manganese; D007501:Iron; D015032:Zinc