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Development of a New Pollution Index for Heavy Metals in Sediments

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Abstract

This study aims to investigate the pollution rate of heavy metals on the western seaboard of Bandarabbas in southeast Iran using a new pollution index. The bulk of the analysis was conducted on sediments, followed by selection of a few samples to perform experiments on chemical partitioning studies as well as biological accessibility. On this basis, the proportions of natural and anthropogenic elements were calculated. Finally, with regard to chemical separation results, the pollution rate was calculated based on Muller's geo-chemical index, enrichment factor, pollution index, and a new "Risk" index. Chemical separation showed the anthropogenic origin of elements are as follows: Ni(27.5%) > Zn(6.5%) > Pb(2%) > Al (0.2%). The newly developed pollution index is indicative of "low environmental pollution "for Ni.

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Acknowledgment

Thanks to all who assisted in this research and especially to Mr. Nasser Aghajeri and Mr. Akbarzadeh in the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea Ecological Research Institute for performing the tests and sampling.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Sciences, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

    Forough Farsad, Seyed Masoud Monavari & Parvin Farshchi

  2. Graduate Faculty of Environment, University of Tehran, 14155-6135, Tehran, Iran

    Abdolreza Karbassi

  3. Persian Gulf and Oman Sea Ecological Research Institute, P.O.Box 79145-1597, Bandar Abbas, Hormozgan, Iran

    Mohammad Seddigh Mortazavi

Authors
  1. Forough Farsad
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  2. Abdolreza Karbassi
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  3. Seyed Masoud Monavari
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  4. Mohammad Seddigh Mortazavi
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  5. Parvin Farshchi
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Correspondence to Forough Farsad.

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Farsad, F., Karbassi, A., Monavari, S.M. et al. Development of a New Pollution Index for Heavy Metals in Sediments. Biol Trace Elem Res 143, 1828–1842 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-011-8983-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-011-8983-3

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