title: Temporal distribution of dissolved trace metal in the coastal waters of Southwestern Bay of Bengal, India.
abstract: The objective of the present study was to characterize the concentrations of selected dissolved trace metals in the coastal waters (500 m from shore) of Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, India. The order of dissolved concentration of these metals was found to be as follows: Co (cobalt) < Cd (cadmium) < Cr (chromium) < Mn (manganese) < Cu (copper) < Ni (nickel) < Pb (lead) < Zn (zinc). The levels of these trace metals were found to be relatively low as compared to the reported values for other Indian coastal waters, which indicates negligible pollution at this location. Cadmium was the only metal found to increase its concentration during the monsoon period, suggesting its allochthonous input. Factor analysis indicated that chromium, nickel, zinc, cobalt, copper, manganese, and lead were of common origin, and external inputs through land runoff had nominal or little impact, typifying in-situ regeneration and remineralization linkage with their temporal variation. However, levels of zinc, cobalt, and copper remained relatively high during the summer period, and abrupt increases in their concentration during December (monsoon season) may be due to their dual (autochthonous as well as allochthonous) input.
authors.affiliation: Environment & Safety Division, Radiological Safety & Environmental Group, IGCAR, Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, India-603102. ranjib@igcar.gov.in
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Padhi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Biswas
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Mohanty
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Prabhu
authors.forename: K K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Satpathy
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nayak
mesh_terms: D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D007194:India; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis*; D055848:Nuclear Power Plants; D012623:Seawater / Q000737:chemistry; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D019216:Metals, Heavy; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical