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Spatial distribution, enrichment, and source of environmentally important elements in Batticaloa lagoon, Sri Lanka

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Abstract

The present paper is the first documentation of distribution and contamination status of environmentally important elements of superficial sediments in the Batticaloa lagoon that is connected to the largest bay of the world. Surface sediment samples were collected from 34 sites covering all over the lagoon. Concentrations of elements such as As, Cr, Cu, Fe, Nb, Ni, Pb, Sc, Sr, Th, V, Y, Zn, and Zr were measured by X-ray florescence analysis. Geochemically, the lagoon has three different zones that were influenced mainly by fresh water sources, marine fronts, and intermediate mixing zones. The marine sediment quality standards indicate that Zr and Th values are exceeded throughout the lagoon. According to the freshwater sediment quality standards, Cr levels of all sampling sites exceed the threshold effect level (TEL) and 17 % of them are even above the probable effect level (PEL). Most sampling sites of the channel discharging areas show minor enrichment of Cu, Ni, and Zn with respect to the TEL. Contamination indices show that the lagoon mouth area is enriched with As. Statistical analysis implies that discharges from agricultural channel and marine fluxes of the lagoon effects on the spatial distribution of measured elements. Further research is required to understand the rate of contamination in the studied marine system.

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Acknowledgments

The authors highly appreciate Professor Yoshihiro Sawada of Shimane University, Japan, for access to the XRF facility. Head of the Department of Geology, University of Peradeniya and Head of the Department of Physical Sciences, South Eastern University of Sri Lanka are also acknowledged for providing the laboratory facilities. The research was financially supported by University Grant Commission, Sri Lanka (Grant No. UGC/DRIC/PG/2014AUG/SEUSL/01).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physical Sciences, Faculty of Applied Sciences, South Eastern University, Sammanthurai, Sri Lanka

    Madurya Adikaram

  2. Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

    Amarasooriya Pitawala

  3. Department of Geosciences, Graduate School of Sc. and Eng, Shimane University, Matsue, Japan

    Hiroaki Ishiga

  4. Department of Forestry and Envt. Sc, Sri Jayawardhanapura University, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka

    Daham Jayawardana

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  1. Madurya Adikaram
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Correspondence to Madurya Adikaram.

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Adikaram, M., Pitawala, A., Ishiga, H. et al. Spatial distribution, enrichment, and source of environmentally important elements in Batticaloa lagoon, Sri Lanka. Environ Sci Pollut Res 24, 2089–2099 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-016-7973-6

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