Abstract
In Fiji, contamination of the coastal environment by heavy metals is proving to be a real concern. This work reports for the first time analyses carried out on an extensive basis, to ascertain the extent of anthropogenic contamination by heavy metals in the <0.063 mm surface sediments of Suva harbour. Sediment samples from 40 sites selected within the harbour were collected and analysed for five heavy metals. The levels of the metals range from 21.4 to 143.0 ± 0.1 mg/kg Cu, 1.40 to 4.87 ± 0.07 wt.% Fe, 22.1 to 93.5 ± 0.3 mg/kg Pb, 40.2 to 269.0 ± 0.3 mg/kg Zn and 1.1 to 2.6 ± 0.2 mg/kg Sn. With reference to the pristine area of the Great Astrolabe, in Kadavu, the acquired data from the harbour are indicative of heavy metal pollution. This could be attributed to the numerous industrial and commercial activities at Wailada and Walu Bay industrial areas, the municipal dump located at the Suva foreshore and the Suva wharf. The pollution is further compounded by the high population density in Suva city.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Chester R, Voutsinou FG (1981) The initial assessment of trace metal pollution in coastal sediments. Mar Pollut Bull 12(3):84–91
Emsley J (1992) The elements, 2nd edn. Oxford University Press, Oxford, p 251
Gangaiya P, Tabudravu J, South R, Sotheeswaran S (2001) Heavy metal contamination of the lami coastal environment, Fiji. South Pac J Nat Sci 19:24–29
Maata M, Koshy K (2001) A study on tributyltin contamination of marine sediments in the major ports of Fiji. South Pac J Nat Sci 19:1–4
MacDonald DD (1994) A review of environmental quality criteria and guidelines for priority substances in the Fraser River Basin. MacDonald Environmental Sciences Limited, Environmental Conservation Branch, Canada
Morrison RJ, Naqasima M (eds) (1992) Fiji’s great astrolabe reef and lagoon: a baseline study. Institute of Natural Resources, University of the South Pacific, Fiji
Naidu SD, Morrison RJ (1994) Contamination of Suva Harbour, Fiji. Mar Pollut Bull 29(1–3):126–130
O’Conner TP, Ehler CN (1991) Results from the NOAA National Status and Trends Program on distribution and effects of chemical contamination in the coastal and estuarine United States. Environ Monit Assess 17:33–49
Rubio B, Nombela MA, Vilas F (2000) Geochemistry of major and trace elements in sediments of the Ria de Vigo (NW Spain): an assessment of metal pollution. Mar Pollut Bull 40(11):968–980
Soares HMV, Boaventura RAR, Machado AASC, Esteves da Silva JCG (1999) Sediments as monitors of heavy metal contamination in the Ave river basin (Portugal): multivariate analysis of data. Environ Pollut 105:311–323
Acknowledgements
The authors wish to acknowledge the Canada-South Pacific Ocean Development Programme (C-SPOD) for sponsoring the research through the provision of a postgraduate scholarship to Ms. Sandeep. K. Singh. The authors thank Dr. Marie Ferland of the Central Washington University, Ellensburg, Washington, USA and Mr. Russell Maharaj of the South Pacific Geo-Science Commission for their contributions in the supervision of the research and Dr. James Renwick of NIWA (Wellington), New Zealand, for his assistance with PCA.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Maata, M., Singh, S. Heavy metal pollution in Suva harbour sediments, Fiji. Environ Chem Lett 6, 113–118 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10311-007-0122-1
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10311-007-0122-1