Enrichment, distribution and sources of heavy metals in the sediments of Deception Bay, Queensland, Australia.
Sediment samples from 13 sampling sites in Deception Bay, Australia were analysed for the presence of heavy metals. Enrichment factors, modified contamination indices and Nemerow pollution indices were calculated for each sampling site to determine sediment quality. The results indicate significant pollution of most sites by lead (average enrichment factor (EF) of 13), but there is also enrichment of arsenic (average EF 2.3), zinc (average EF 2.7) and other heavy metals. The modified degree of contamination indices (average 1.0) suggests that there is little contamination. By contrast, the Nemerow pollution index (average 5.8) suggests that Deception Bay is heavily contaminated. Cluster analysis was undertaken to identify groups of elements. Strong correlation between some elements and two distinct clusters of sampling sites based on sediment type was evident. These results have implications for pollution in complex marine environments where there is significant influx of sand and sediment into an estuarine environment.
Queensland University of Technology, Science and Engineering Faculty, School of Chemistry, Physics and Mechanical Engineering, GPO Box 2434, Brisbane, QLD 4001, Australia.
James P
JP
Brady
Queensland University of Technology, Science and Engineering Faculty, School of Chemistry, Physics and Mechanical Engineering, GPO Box 2434, Brisbane, QLD 4001, Australia. Electronic address: g.ayoko@qut.edu.au.
Godwin A
GA
Ayoko
Queensland University of Technology, Science and Engineering Faculty, School of Chemistry, Physics and Mechanical Engineering, GPO Box 2434, Brisbane, QLD 4001, Australia.
Wayde N
WN
Martens
Queensland University of Technology, Science and Engineering Faculty, School of Earth, Environmental and Biological Sciences, GPO Box 2434, Brisbane, QLD 4001, Australia.
Ashantha
A
Goonetilleke
D061006:Bays; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry*; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis; D011793:Queensland; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000737:chemistry*
D019216:Metals, Heavy; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
Deception Bay; Heavy metal distribution; Heavy metal enrichment; Heavy metals pollution; X-ray fluorescence