Toxic Metals Enrichment in the Surficial Sediments of a Eutrophic Tropical Estuary (Cochin Backwaters, Southwest Coast of India)‎

Joint Authors

Shaiju, P.
Muraleedharan, K. R.
Nair, S. M.
George, Rejomon
Martin, G. D.
Chandramohanakumar, N.

Source

The Scientific World Journal

Issue

Vol. 2012, Issue 2012 (31 Dec. 2012), pp.1-17, 17 p.

Publisher

Hindawi Publishing Corporation

Publication Date

2012-05-03

Country of Publication

Egypt

No. of Pages

17

Main Subjects

Natural & Life Sciences (Multidisciplinary)
Medicine
Information Technology and Computer Science

Abstract EN

Concentrations and distributions of trace metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in surficial sediments of the Cochin backwaters were studied during both monsoon and pre-monsoon periods.

Spatial variations were in accordance with textural charaterstics and organic matter content.

A principal component analysis distinguished three zones with different metal accumulation capacity: (i) highest levels in north estuary, (ii) moderate levels in central zone, and (iii) lowest levels in southern part.

Trace metal enrichments are mainly due to anthropogenic contribution of industrial, domestic, and agricultural effluents, whose effect is enhanced by settling of metals due to organic flocculation and inorganic precipitation associated with salinity changes.

Enrichments factors using Fe as a normalizer showed that metal contamination was the product of anthropogenic activities.

An assessment of degree of pollution-categorized sediments as moderately polluted with Cu and Pb, moderately-to-heavily polluted with Zn, and heavily-to-extremely polluted with Cd.

Concentrations at many sites largely exceed NOAA ERL (e.g., Cu, Cr, and Pb) or ERM (e.g., Cd, Ni, and Zn).

This means that adverse effects for benthic organisms are possible or even highly probable.

American Psychological Association (APA)

Martin, G. D.& George, Rejomon& Shaiju, P.& Muraleedharan, K. R.& Nair, S. M.& Chandramohanakumar, N.. 2012. Toxic Metals Enrichment in the Surficial Sediments of a Eutrophic Tropical Estuary (Cochin Backwaters, Southwest Coast of India). The Scientific World Journal،Vol. 2012, no. 2012, pp.1-17.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-512601

Modern Language Association (MLA)

Martin, G. D.…[et al.]. Toxic Metals Enrichment in the Surficial Sediments of a Eutrophic Tropical Estuary (Cochin Backwaters, Southwest Coast of India). The Scientific World Journal No. 2012 (2012), pp.1-17.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-512601

American Medical Association (AMA)

Martin, G. D.& George, Rejomon& Shaiju, P.& Muraleedharan, K. R.& Nair, S. M.& Chandramohanakumar, N.. Toxic Metals Enrichment in the Surficial Sediments of a Eutrophic Tropical Estuary (Cochin Backwaters, Southwest Coast of India). The Scientific World Journal. 2012. Vol. 2012, no. 2012, pp.1-17.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-512601

Data Type

Journal Articles

Language

English

Notes

Includes bibliographical references

Record ID

BIM-512601