Ecological risk assessment of trace metal accumulation in sediments of Veraval Harbor, Gujarat, Arabian Sea.
In this study, different types of indices were used to assess the ecological risk of trace metal contamination in sediments on the basis of sediment quality guidelines at Veraval Fishery Harbor. Sediment samples were collected from three sectors in pre-, post-, and monsoon seasons in 2006. Trace metal concentrations were higher in the inner sector during post-monsoon, and it showed the highest statistical significance (p<0.01) among the stations. Pollution load index was higher than unity, indicating alternation by effluent discharge from industries. Enrichment factor and geo-accumulation index showed that Cd, Pb, and Zn were enriched in the northern part of the harbor and Pb had accumulated in the harbor sediment. The ecological risk assessment index revealed that Ni, Zn, and Pb were higher than the effect range median values, indicating their potential toxicity to the aquatic environment in the Veraval Harbor. Hence, the harbor is dominated by anthropogenic activities rather than natural process.
ESSO-National Institute of Ocean Technology, Tambaram-Velachery Main Road, Pallikaranai, Chennai 600100, India. Electronic address: srajan@niot.res.in.
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Sundararajan
ESSO-National Institute of Ocean Technology, Tambaram-Velachery Main Road, Pallikaranai, Chennai 600100, India. Electronic address: mukundakesari@gmail.com.
Mukunda Kesari
MK
Khadanga
ESSO-National Institute of Ocean Technology, Tambaram-Velachery Main Road, Pallikaranai, Chennai 600100, India.
J Prince Prakash Jeba
JPPJ
Kumar
ESSO-National Institute of Ocean Technology, Tambaram-Velachery Main Road, Pallikaranai, Chennai 600100, India.
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Raghumaran
ESSO-National Institute of Ocean Technology, Tambaram-Velachery Main Road, Pallikaranai, Chennai 600100, India.
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Vijaya
ESSO-National Institute of Ocean Technology, Tambaram-Velachery Main Road, Pallikaranai, Chennai 600100, India.
Basanta Kumar
BK
Jena
D004463:Ecology; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D005398:Fisheries; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry*; D007194:India; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis*; D009792:Oceans and Seas; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012621:Seasons; D012623:Seawater / Q000737:chemistry; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000032:analysis*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
D019216:Metals, Heavy; D014131:Trace Elements; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
Enrichment factor; Geo-accumulation index; Pollution load index; Sediments; Trace metals; Veraval Harbor