Studies on the variations of heavy metals in the marine sediments off Kalpakkam, East Coast of India

摘要: During the last two decades, coastal environment of southeast India has experienced intense developments in industry, urbanization and aquaculture. Moreover, 2004 mega tsunami devastated this coast, thus affecting sediment characteristics. These phenomena prompted a study to characterize sediment, understand mechanisms influencing distribution heavy metals create baseline data for future impact assessment. Results showed that was carpeted with mosaic sand silty minor amount clay. Heavy metal values maximum variation Fe minimum Cd. Their average following decreasing trend: > Cu Zn Pb Cr Ni This shows major source at Kalpakkam coast are land-based anthropogenic ones, such as, discharge from industrial waste, agricultural urban, municipal slum sewage into Buckingham canal, which turn discharges sea through backwaters, particularly during northeast monsoon period. A clear signature role backwater increasing concentration few sediments period observed. Assessments degree pollution, factor (CF), geoaccumulation index (Igeo) pollution load (PLI) have been calculated. CF Igeo indicated is moderately polluted by Increase Cu, (October–January) compared rest year noticed. Factor analysis correlation among concluded Cr, Ni, Cd crustal origin, whereas, sources. Organic carbon content increased period, pointing land runoff enhancing its content. The also elucidates recent depleting as pre-tsunami