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Metal Contagion in Ecologically Important Estuary Located in Bay of Bengal

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Abstract

Sediment and fish tissue samples from the ecologically important estuary of Bay of Bengal were chemically analyzed in order to determine the concentration of heavy metals using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICP-OES). The results were compared with the permissible limits of WHO/USEPA. Iron, Zn and Cd were found in all the samples in the order: Fe>Zn>Ni>Cr>Cd>Mn>Pb>Co. The results showed that the metals Cd (1.11, 0.52 and 0.23 μg g−1), Mn (0.86, 1.25, 0.25, 0.28 and 0.28 μg g−1) and Ni (0.31 and 0.33 μg g−1) exceeded the permissible limits for fish samples. Chromium concentration in fish samples was within permissible limits. Iron, Zn, Pb and Co were below the detectable level. This study showed that Cd, Ni and Mn were higher than the acceptable values set by health organizations and may therefore present human health hazard. It is recommended that more researches be carried out in order to evaluate the possible environmental risk factors in the vicinity of the estuary with respect to heavy metals.

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Acknowledgement

The authors are thankful to the authorities of Annamalai University for the facilities.

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Correspondence to S. Lakshmana Senthil.

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Lakshmana Senthil, S., Ajith Kumar, T.T., MarudhuPandi, T. et al. Metal Contagion in Ecologically Important Estuary Located in Bay of Bengal. Water Qual Expo Health 4, 137–142 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12403-012-0072-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12403-012-0072-0

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