title: Geochemical distribution, fractionation and contamination assessment of heavy metals in marine sediments of the Asaluyeh port, Persian Gulf.
abstract: In this study, total concentration and speciation of heavy metals in sediments of the Asaluyeh, one of the Iran's largest commercial ports, are investigated. 48 sediment samples were collected and analyzed for trace and major elements. Sediment quality guidelines along with calculated enrichment factors and trace metal profiles indicate that Asaluyeh port is threated by contamination, especially with respect to Hg and Cu. Normalization to Sc indicated high enrichment factors in the sediments following the decreasing order of: Hg>Cu>As>Ni>Zn>Pb≈Cr≈Mn>Co≈V≈Fe≈Al. Hg displayed the greatest potential ecological risk factor among sampling stations. The results of sequential extraction procedure revealed that in some stations >50% of Mn, V, Cu and Zn occur in potentially mobile phases and therefore are more readily mobilized in the sediments of the study area.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environment and Energy, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Hossein
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Delshab
authors.affiliation: Department of Environment and Energy, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: parvinfarshchi@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Parvin
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Farshchi
authors.affiliation: Department of Earth Sciences, College of Sciences, Shiraz University, Shiraz, 71454, Iran; Medical Geology Center, Shiraz University, Iran.
authors.forename: Behnam
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Keshavarzi
mesh_terms: D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D019015:Geologic Sediments; D019156:Indian Ocean; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D019216:Metals, Heavy; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: Asaluyeh port; Fractionation; Major and trace elements; Persian Gulf; Sediment pollution