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Assessment of Contamination by Metals in Coastal Sediments from South East Coast of Tamil Nadu, India with Statistical Approach

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Abstract

This study was initiated to investigate the heavy metal contamination in coastal sediments from Pattipulam to Devanampattinam along the South East Coast of Tamil Nadu, India using EDXRF technique with statistical approach. The mean concentration of heavy metals in sediments is found to be in the sequence of Al > Ca > K > Fe > Mg > Ti > Ba > Mn > Zn > V > Cr > Ni > La > Pb > As > Cd > Co. The highest metal concentrations in sediments are found in Devaneri (DVN) and Thenpattinam (TPM) sites. The degree of contamination by heavy metals in sediments was assessed using enrichment factor (EF), geo-accumulation index (I geo), contamination factor (CF), and pollution load index (PLI). The results of contamination indices in heavy metals indicate that sediment is not polluted from anthropogenic activities. The natural or anthropogenic sources of heavy metals were determined using multivariate statistical techniques. The results of multivariate data analysis indicate that heavy metals in the sediments are natural origin. This study provides a better understanding of identification of metal pollution sources in the sediment samples.

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Acknowledgements

We sincerely thank and show gratitude to Dr. K. K. Satpathy, Head, Environment and Safety Division, RSEG, EIRSG, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam-603 102 for giving permission to make use of EDXRF facility in RSEG and also our deep gratitude and thanks to Dr. M. V. R. Prasad, Head, EnSD, RSEG, IGCAR, Kalpakkam-603,102, India for his keen help and constant encouragements in EDXRF measurements. Our sincere thanks to Mr. K. V. Kanagasabapathy, Scientific Officer, RSEG, IGCAR for his technical help in EDXRF analysis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, CK College of Engineering and Technology, Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu, 607003, India

    J. Chandramohan

  2. Department of Physics, SSN College of Engineering, Kalavakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 603110, India

    A. Chandrasekaran

  3. Coastal and Environmental Engineering, National Institute of Ocean Technology, Pallikaranai, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600100, India

    J. Prince Prakash Jebakumar

  4. Department of Chemistry, Government Arts College, Thiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, 606603, India

    G. Elango

  5. Department of Physics, Government Arts College, Thiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, 606603, India

    R. Ravisankar

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  1. J. Chandramohan
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  4. G. Elango
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  5. R. Ravisankar
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Correspondence to R. Ravisankar.

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Chandramohan, J., Chandrasekaran, A., Jebakumar, J.P.P. et al. Assessment of Contamination by Metals in Coastal Sediments from South East Coast of Tamil Nadu, India with Statistical Approach. Iran J Sci Technol Trans Sci 42, 1989–2004 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40995-017-0167-3

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