Spatial distribution, enrichment, and source of environmentally important elements in Batticaloa lagoon, Sri Lanka.
The present paper is the first documentation of distribution and contamination status of environmentally important elements of superficial sediments in the Batticaloa lagoon that is connected to the largest bay of the world. Surface sediment samples were collected from 34 sites covering all over the lagoon. Concentrations of elements such as As, Cr, Cu, Fe, Nb, Ni, Pb, Sc, Sr, Th, V, Y, Zn, and Zr were measured by X-ray florescence analysis. Geochemically, the lagoon has three different zones that were influenced mainly by fresh water sources, marine fronts, and intermediate mixing zones. The marine sediment quality standards indicate that Zr and Th values are exceeded throughout the lagoon. According to the freshwater sediment quality standards, Cr levels of all sampling sites exceed the threshold effect level (TEL) and 17 % of them are even above the probable effect level (PEL). Most sampling sites of the channel discharging areas show minor enrichment of Cu, Ni, and Zn with respect to the TEL. Contamination indices show that the lagoon mouth area is enriched with As. Statistical analysis implies that discharges from agricultural channel and marine fluxes of the lagoon effects on the spatial distribution of measured elements. Further research is required to understand the rate of contamination in the studied marine system.
Department of Physical Sciences, Faculty of Applied Sciences, South Eastern University, Sammanthurai, Sri Lanka. maduryaa@gmail.com.
Madurya
M
Adikaram
Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
Amarasooriya
A
Pitawala
Department of Geosciences, Graduate School of Sc. and Eng, Shimane University, Matsue, Japan.
Hiroaki
H
Ishiga
Department of Forestry and Envt. Sc, Sri Jayawardhanapura University, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka.
Daham
D
Jayawardana
D000383:Agriculture; D004602:Elements; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry*; D008670:Metals / Q000032:analysis*; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis; D013188:Sri Lanka; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
D004602:Elements; D008670:Metals; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
Batticaloa lagoon; Enrichment; Heavy metals; Sediment quality assessment; Spatial distribution; Sri Lanka