Acid leachable trace metals in sediment cores from Sunderban Mangrove Wetland, India: an approach towards regular monitoring

Abstract

The paper presents the first document to identify the enrichment pattern of acid leachable trace metals (ALTMs) such as Fe, Mn, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Cd, Co, Mo, Ag, As and Ba and their relationship with sediment quality parameters (pH, organic carbon, carbonates and texture) in core sediments (<63 microm particle size) from Indian Sunderban mangrove wetland, formed at the estuarine phase of the river Hugli (Ganges). Textural analysis reveals an overall predominance of mud. The results indicate that the change in pH values causes coagulation and precipitation of ALTMs. Fe and Mn have fairly close distribution patterns of enrichment in surface layers which might be ascribed to early diagnetic processes. The most prominent feature of ALTMs is the enrichment of Fe, Mn, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Ba in the surface-subsurface layers in the sediment cores, which is mainly attributed to the intense industrial and agricultural activities as well as drainage of untreated domestic sewage to this coastal region. The ALTMs also indicate their association with organic carbon and Fe-Mn oxyhydroxides. The enrichment is well--supported by the correlation, grouping and clustering of ALTMs in statistical analyses. Anthropogenic Factor values indicated ALTMs enrichment for all trace metals due to intense anthropogenic activities. Overall higher values of ALTMs in sediments in comparison to other Indian coastal regions indicate that they are mainly due to the uncontrolled anthropogenic activities in this mangrove estuarine complex. Statistical analyses suggest that five ALTMs (Cu, Pb, As, Mo, Ba) are attached to the organic particles and the clustering of elements separately also indicates that they are from external source. The result of the present study suggests the need for a regular monitoring program which will help to improve the quality of this potential wetland.

The microwave induced plasma with optical emission spectrometry (MIP–OES) in 23 elements determination in geological samples

“…The hydrochloric acid extracts (acid leaching) methodology [27] has been prepared follow the previous geochemical studies [28]. The amount of 2.0070.01 g of the sample was weighed and put in a conical flask to which a hydrochloric acid solution (2 mol L À 1 ) was poured carefully in small portions (20 mL).…”

Evaluation of impact of industrial effluents on intertidal sediments of a creek

“…Further, a similar point-to-point variation of Fe and Mn is observed between 56 and 52 cm in the lower section, 30-24 cm in the middle section and 14 cm to the surface in the upper section of the core. This is also supported by strong positive correlation between Fe and Mn (Table 3) indicating strong association of the geochemical matrix between the two elements (Jonathan et al 2010). From the overall distribution pattern, sudden increase in concentration of Fe and Mn in the middle section of the core is the result of formation of insoluble oxyhydroxides in the oxic sediment layer (Fernandes and Nayak 2009) of muddy sand.…”

Assessment of heavy metal contamination in water, sediments, and Mangrove plant of Al-Budhai region, Red Sea Coast, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

“…Some factors, including texture of the sediment, organic matter, pH and salinity of seawater, are controlled by the pattern and accumulation of heavy metals in the mangrove forests [83]. Fine sediment plays an important role in the attraction of metal ions due to higher surface area and organic complexation [84].…”