Elemental distribution and trace metal contamination in the surface sediment of south east coast of India.
Spatial distribution and potential ecological risk of trace metals in the surface sediment of south east coast of India covering eight different ecosystems was studied. The concentration of major elements viz. Ca, Mg, K, Ti and trace metals viz. Cr, Mn, Co, Al, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb were analysed by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence technique. Contamination factor, geo-accumulation index, probable effect level, enrichment factor and pollution load index were calculated to evaluate the pollution status. Except cadmium, CF values for all the metals ranged between 1≤CF≤3 indicating moderate metal contaminations along the coast. Mean PEL quotient (Qm-PEL) indicated toxicity probability to be below 21%. Fe, Cu, Zn and Co showed significant positive correlation (p<0.01) with clay. Chromium was the only metal that demonstrated strong negative correlation with clay (p<0.01) and positive correlation (p<0.01) with sand content.
Environment & Safety Division, HSEG, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu 603 102, India.
S Barath
SB
Kumar
Environment & Safety Division, HSEG, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu 603 102, India.
R K
RK
Padhi
Environment & Safety Division, HSEG, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu 603 102, India.
A K
AK
Mohanty
Environment & Safety Division, HSEG, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu 603 102, India. Electronic address: satpathy@igcar.gov.in.
K K
KK
Satpathy
D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D019015:Geologic Sediments; D007194:India; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
D019216:Metals, Heavy; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
Coastal sediment; EDXRF; Elemental distribution; Metal contamination; Pollution indices