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Factors controlling the distribution of metals in intertidal mudflat sediments of Vaitarna estuary, North Maharashtra coast, India

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Abstract

Sediment cores collected from intertidal mudflats of Vaitarna estuary were investigated for distributions of sediment components, organic carbon, metals (iron, manganese, aluminum, copper, zinc, cobalt, nickel, and lead) in bulk sediments, as well as clay-sized fraction (<2 μm). Sorting of grain size under the influence of varying hydrodynamic energy conditions within Vaitarna estuary was discussed. Index of geoaccumulation indicated different levels of contamination for the studied metals at three locations. Pb and Zn were mainly found to be associated with clay fraction and showed exclusive lithogenic origin. While all the other metals showed signatures of anthropogenic origin in addition to that of lithogenic.

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Acknowledgments

One of the authors (Samida .P. Volvoikar) wish to thank the University Grants Commission for granting fellowship under the “Research Fellowships in Sciences for Meritorious Students” scheme. Our sincere thanks go to the India Meteorological Department for supplying the monsoon data.

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

    Samida P. Volvoikar & G. N. Nayak

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  1. Samida P. Volvoikar
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Correspondence to G. N. Nayak.

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Volvoikar, S.P., Nayak, G.N. Factors controlling the distribution of metals in intertidal mudflat sediments of Vaitarna estuary, North Maharashtra coast, India. Arab J Geosci 7, 5221–5237 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-013-1162-4

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