Ecological risk assessment of a coastal zone in Southern Vietnam: Spatial distribution and content of heavy metals in water and surface sediments of the Thi Vai Estuary and Can Gio Mangrove Forest. Issue 2 (30th January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Costa-Böddeker, Sandra; Hoelzmann, Philipp; Thuyên, Lê Xuân; Huy, Hoang Duc; Nguyen, Hoang Anh; Richter, Otto; Schwalb, Antje
• Is Part Of: Marine pollution bulletin. Volume 114:Issue 2(2017:Jan.)
• Page Start: 1141
• Page End: 1151
• Publication Date: 2017-01-30
• Subjects: Metals enrichment -- Sediment quality criteria -- Pollution indices -- C/N ratios -- Nutrients -- Biosphere reserve; Marine pollution -- Periodicals; Marine Biology -- Periodicals; Water Pollution -- Periodicals; Mer -- Pollution -- Périodiques; Publications périodiques; Pollution des mers; Lutte antipollution; Electronic journals; 363.7394
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.10.046
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-326X

Abstract

Abstract: Enrichment of heavy metals was assessed in the Thi Vai Estuary and in the Can Gio Mangrove Forest (SE, Vietnam). Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn contents in water and in sediments were measured. Total organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and C/N ratios were determined. Cu and Cr values were higher than threshold effect level of toxicity, while Ni exceeded probable effect level, indicating the risk of probable toxicity effects. Enrichment factors (EF), contamination factor (CF) and Geo-accumulation index (I-geo) were determined. CF reveals moderate to considerable pollution with Cr and Ni. EF suggests anthropogenic sources of Cr, Cu and Ni. I-geo indicates low contamination with Co, Cu and Zn and moderate contamination with Cr and Ni. Overall metal contents were lower than expected for this highly industrialized region, probably due to dilution, suggesting that erosion rates and hydrodynamics may also play a role in metal contents distribution. Highlights: A coastal area in Southern Vietnam has been endangered by anthropogenic pressures. Metals and nutrients were measured and water and sediment quality evaluated. Metal enrichment indices and ecological risk of toxicity were assessed. High Cr and Ni values suggest the risk of potential adverse biological effects.