Chandramohanakumar, N; Ratheesh Kumar, C S; Joseph, M M; Gireesh Kumar, T R; Renjith, K R; Manju, M N(July 5, 2010)
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Abstract:
Heavy metals in the surface sediments of the two coastal ecosystems of Cochin, southwest
India were assessed. The study intends to evaluate the degree of anthropogenic influence on heavy metal
concentration in the sediments of the mangrove and adjacent estuarine stations using enrichment factor and
geoaccumulation index. The inverse relationship of Cd and Zn with texture in the mangrove sediments suggested
the anthropogenic enrichment of these metals in the mangrove systems. In the estuarine sediments, the absence
of any significant correlation of the heavy metals with other sedimentary parameters and their strong
interdependence revealed the possibility that the input is not through the natural weathering processes. The
analysis of enrichment factor indicated a minor enrichment for Pb and Zn in mangrove sediments. While,
extremely severe enrichment for Cd, moderate enrichment for Zn and minor enrichment of Pb were observed
in estuarine system. The geo accumulation index exhibited very low values for all metals except Zn, indicating
the sediments of the mangrove ecosystem are unpolluted to moderately polluted by anthropogenic activities.
However, very strongly polluted condition for Cd and a moderately polluted condition for Zn were evident in
estuarine sediments