Assessment of Heavy Metals Contamination in Sediments of the Vridi Canal (Côte d’Ivoire)

Abstract

The concentrations of cadmium, copper, lead and zinc in sediment samples from the Vridi Canal (Harbour area of economic capital of Cote d'Ivoire) were determined to evaluate the level of contamination. All metal concentrations in sediment samples, except Cu, were greater than the concentration of Upper Continental Crust (UCC). Sediment pollution assessment was undertaken by using Enrichment Factor (EF), geoaccumulation index (I geo ) and Pollution Load Index (PLI). The enrichment factor (Cd: EF = 20.04; Pb: EF = 3.43; Zn: EF = 1.56) and géoaccumulation index (Cd: I geo = 4.29; Pb: I geo = 1.81) showed that the sediments were polluted. The Pollution Load Index (PLI > 1) indicated that the sediments of the studied area were heavily contaminated. Based on the comparison with sediment quality guidelines, the concentrations of cadmium, lead and zinc would be toxic to one or more species of aquatic organisms living in the sediments.

Application of Pollution Indices in the Assessment of Heavy Metal Contamination of Surface Sediments of River Bonsa, Ghana

“…Enrichment is a method used to estimate the anthropogenic impact on sediments by calculating the difference between the metals originating from human activities and those from natural provenance. Enrichment factor is a means of determining anthropogenic influence on heavy metal concentration in sediments (Rodrigue et al, 2016). The EF is calculated by using Equation 1 EF > 40, extremely high enrichment (Sutherland, 2000).…”

“…Heavy metals may be introduced into the aquatic environment through natural sources such as atmospheric deposition and geological weathering or by anthropogenic sources including municipal and industrial discharges and agricultural run-off (Savadi et al, 2015;Kanchana et al, 2014). Upon their release into the aquatic environment, heavy metals eventually become deposited in se- Sediments are the major repository of heavy metals in aquatic systems and play a vital role in remobilization and enrichment of the overlying water column (Banerjee et al, 2017;Rodrigue et al, 2016). The concentration of heavy metals in sediments may be 3 -5 times higher than that of the water column with the concentration being influenced by physicochemical adsorption, physical accumulation and biological uptake (Banerjee et al, 2017;El-Madani & Hacht, 2017;Akan et al, 2010).…”

“…Besides influencing water quality, sediments serve as sources of bioavailable contaminants for micro and macro aquatic biota and hence biomagnifications in the food chains. The transfer of heavy metals from sediments to aquatic biota is well reported (Rodrigue et al, 2016;Uaboi-Egbennil et al, 2010;Mucha et al, 2003). Sediment is therefore considered a sensitive indicator for monitoring aquatic pollution and therefore vital in preventing ecological and human health risks.…”

Heavy Metal Pollution Index of Surface Water and Groundwater Around Tongon Mine (Côte d’Ivoire)

“…Water is vital to the existence of all living organisms [1][2][3][4]. However, this valued resource is increasingly being threatened by human population's growth and anthropogenic activities such as mining activity.…”

“…The research indicated that mining and the smelting activities caused great destruction to the water environment. The heavy metals are difficult to clear away from the natural environment, or even form a secondary pollution [3][4][5].…”