The investigation aims to study the source and concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs) fractions in the surface sediments of selected estuaries of the southwest coast of Kerala India. The concentration of PAHs ranged from 0.47 to 126.64 ng/g. The estuarine sediments were enriched by HMW-PAHs and they are occupied nearly 93.76 % of the total concentration, followed by LMW-PAHs (LMW-PAH – 6.23%). The sum of surface sediment-associated PAH distribution was higher in the inner part of the estuary, especially at Anjuthengu and Kadinamkulam estuaries. The sediment grain size and distance of the sampling point from the coast are significantly playing an important role in the distribution of the PAHs. The ratio of LMW/HMW PAHs in this study indicating that the pyrolytic process is the chief source of PAHs in the estuarine sediments. The calculated total TEQ value ranged from 0.20 to 54.80 ng/g. A comparative study suggests that the obtained TEQ value was less than the other locations of India and worldwide.
The current research aimed to determine the distribution of micro plastics in surface sediments and water from Chennai's Cooum River. The fiber dominates the Cooum River's surface sediments and water, followed by beads and fragments. Both the sediment and the water contain a high concentration of <1mm size micro plastics. The distribution counts of micro plastics in the Cooum River are significantly low compare to those found in the St. River Lawrence and Amazon river brazil. The distribution of micro plastics in riverine environments is strongly influenced by waste water discharge from domestic and industrial sources, as well as waste dumping near riverbanks.
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