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Assessment of sediment quality using total and bioavailable concentration of metals in intertidal mudflats of a tropical (Vashishti) estuary, west coast of India

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Abstract

The mudflat sediment cores collected from lower (VS-1) and middle (VS-2) regions of the Vashishti estuary were sub-sampled at 2-cm intervals and analyzed to determine grain size, organic carbon, and total metal (Al, Fe, Mn, Ni, Co, Cu, Zn, and Cr) concentration. To distinguish between anthropogenic and natural input of trace metals, enrichment factor (EF), geo-accumulation index (Igeo), and contamination factor (CF) were computed. Further, speciation of metals in selected sub-samples was carried out to understand the bioavailability of metals, and the toxicity of metals to associated biota was assessed using the sediment quality values. The total metal analyses showed higher concentration of Fe, Mn, Ni, Co, Cu, Zn, and Cr in the middle estuarine region which was attributed to metal input from the Lote Parshuram industrial estate located in proximity and adsorption of metals, viz., Ni and Cr onto iron oxide-coated sand particles. EF, Igeo, and CF supported anthropogenic input of metals in the Vashishti estuary. The speciation of metals revealed an increase in Mn concentration in Fe–Mn oxide and exchangeable fractions from bottom to the surface of cores VS-1 and VS-2 respectively, while Co in the exchangeable fraction, and to a lesser extent, Zn in the Fe–Mn oxide fraction showed an increase towards the surface of the core VS-2. These elements exhibited diagenetic remobilization and showed an increase in bioavailability near the surface. Further, comparison of total and bioavailable concentration of metals with sediment quality values indicated risk of Mn and Co to sediment-associated biota.

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Acknowledgements

One of the authors (Maheshwar R. Nasnodkar) wishes to thank the Department of Science and Technology (DST) for granting fellowship under “Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research” (INSPIRE) programme (Sanction order no: Dy.No.100/IFD/7699/2011-2012 dated 04.11.2011). The authors wish to place on record their thanks to Prof. Ramola Antao for correcting English grammar and usage of the draft of the manuscript. Her kind and timely help is gratefully appreciated.

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  1. Department of Marine Sciences, Goa University, Taleigao, Goa, 403206, India

    Maheshwar R. Nasnodkar & G. N. Nayak

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  1. Maheshwar R. Nasnodkar
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Correspondence to G. N. Nayak.

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Nasnodkar, M.R., Nayak, G.N. Assessment of sediment quality using total and bioavailable concentration of metals in intertidal mudflats of a tropical (Vashishti) estuary, west coast of India. Arab J Geosci 11, 505 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-018-3826-6

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