Sujatha, C H; Akhil, P S; Manju, Nair P(July 17, 2013)
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Abstract:
This article present the result from a study of two sediment cores collected from the
environmentally distinct zones of CES. Accumulation status of five toxic metals: Cadmium (Cd), Chromium
(Cr), Cobalt (Co), Copper (Cu) and Lead (Pb) were analyzed. Besides texture and CHNS were determined to
understand the composition of the sediment. Enrichment Factor (EF) and Anthropogenic Factor (AF) were
used to differentiate the typical metal sources. Metal enrichment in the cores revealed heavy load at the
northern (NS1 ) region compared with the southern zone (SS1). Elevation of metal content in core NS1 showed
the industrial input. Statistical analyses were employed to understand the origin of metals in the sediment
samples. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) distinguishes the two zones with different metal accumulation
capacity: highest at NS1 and lowest at SS1. Correlation analysis revealed positive significant relation only in
core NS1, adhering to the exposition of the intensified industrial pollution
Chandramohanakumar, N; Martin, G D; Rejomon, George; Shaiju, P; Muraleedharan, K R; Nair, S M(Hindawi Publishing Corporation, December 29, 2011)
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Abstract:
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.
Description:
The ScientificWorld Journal
Volume 2012, Article ID 972839, 17 pages