Surficial and vertical distribution of heavy metals in marine and intertidal sediments in the Iranian sector of Gowatr bay
In order to identify natural and anthropogenic pollution in Gowatr bay (also gowadar bay), the distribution of heavy metals in the surface and different depths of marine and intertidal sediments was studied. For this purpose, 17 surficial sediment samples, and 5 sediment cores were collected, and compared with local background concentration. The results of surficial distribution of heavy metals indicate that maximum concentration of Copper and Zinc, Lead, and Nickel is related to Pasabandar harbor, sandy coast, and mudflats of Mangrove jungle, respectively. Calculated correlation coefficients indicate good positive correlation between Iron, clay fraction and potentially toxic metals, especially; Cu, Zn, Pb and Ni. Heavy metals distribution at depth was determined in five sediment cores. Sixty percent of sediment cores display surficial Pb enrichment, while Ni and Co are concentrated at depth. According to geo-accumulation factor (Igeo), zinc and copper show heavy contamination in Pasabandar harbor. Maximum PLI and RI are also related to Pasabandar harbor. Marine traffic, and ship yards activity at and close to Pasabandar harbor and mangrove jungle, along with weathering of ophiolites are apparently responsible for the observed elevated concentration of heavy metals in Gowatr bay.
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Journal Contribution biblioteca |
| Language: | Persian |
| Published: |
2014
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| Subjects: | Distribution, Vertical, Heavy metals, Marine, Sediments, Mangrove jungle, Pasabandar harbor, Surficial sediment, |
| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/1834/13708 |
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| Summary: | In order to identify natural and anthropogenic pollution in Gowatr bay (also gowadar bay), the
distribution of heavy metals in the surface and different depths of marine and intertidal sediments
was studied. For this purpose, 17 surficial sediment samples, and 5 sediment cores were
collected, and compared with local background concentration. The results of surficial distribution
of heavy metals indicate that maximum concentration of Copper and Zinc, Lead, and Nickel is
related to Pasabandar harbor, sandy coast, and mudflats of Mangrove jungle, respectively.
Calculated correlation coefficients indicate good positive correlation between Iron, clay fraction
and potentially toxic metals, especially; Cu, Zn, Pb and Ni. Heavy metals distribution at depth
was determined in five sediment cores. Sixty percent of sediment cores display surficial Pb
enrichment, while Ni and Co are concentrated at depth. According to geo-accumulation factor
(Igeo), zinc and copper show heavy contamination in Pasabandar harbor. Maximum PLI and RI
are also related to Pasabandar harbor. Marine traffic, and ship yards activity at and close to
Pasabandar harbor and mangrove jungle, along with weathering of ophiolites are apparently
responsible for the observed elevated concentration of heavy metals in Gowatr bay. |
|---|