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Spatial variation of potentially toxic elements in different grain size fractions of marine sediments from Gulf of Mannar, India

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Abstract

Marine sediments of the Gulf of Mannar (GoM), India are contaminated by potential toxic elements (PTEs) due to anthropogenic activities posing a risk to the existing fragile coral ecosystem and human health. The current study aimed to assess the distribution of PTEs (arsenic—As; cobalt—Co; copper—Cu, molybdenum—Mo; lead—Pb; and zinc—Zn) in marine sediments of different grain size fractions, viz., medium sand (710 μm), fine sand (250 μm), and clay (<63 μm) among the different coastal regions of Pamban, Palk Bay, and Rameswaram coasts of GoM, using grain size as one of the key factor controlling their concentrations. The concentrations of PTEs were measured in the different size fractions of sediment using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrophotometer. The order of accumulation of all PTEs in the three fractions was ranked as Zn > Cu > Pb > As > Co > Mo and in the three locations as Rameswaram > Palk Bay > Pamban. The concentration of PTEs in Palk Bay and Rameswaram coast was significantly different (P < 0.05), when compared to Pamban coast. Measured geoaccumulation index (I geo) and contamination factor (CF) indicated significant enrichment of Co and Pb from Rameswaram coast when compared to other two coasts. Although the concentration of Co was low but the measured I geo and CF values indicated significant enrichment of this PTE in Rameswaram coast. The increased input of PTEs in the coastal regions of GoM signifies the need to monitor the coast regularly using suitable monitoring tools such as sediments to prevent further damage to the marine ecosystem.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are thankful to the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India for financial assistance and to the Director of IICT for providing the facilities and his constant encouragement. The authors KS and RP are thankful to CSIR, for providing the Senior Research Fellowship.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Toxicology Unit, Biology Division, Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, 500007, India

    Srikanth Koigoora & Venkateswara Rao Janapala

  2. Department of Chemistry, CESAM University of Averio, 3810-193, Averio, Portugal

    Srikanth Koigoora & Iqbal Ahmad

  3. Synthetic Biology and Biofuels Group, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi, 110067, India

    Ramjee Pallela

  4. Toxicology Unit, Biology Division, Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, 500 607, India

    Venkateswara Rao Janapala

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  1. Srikanth Koigoora
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Correspondence to Venkateswara Rao Janapala.

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Koigoora, S., Ahmad, I., Pallela, R. et al. Spatial variation of potentially toxic elements in different grain size fractions of marine sediments from Gulf of Mannar, India. Environ Monit Assess 185, 7581–7589 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-013-3120-8

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