Spatial risk assessment and trace element concentration in reef associated sediments of Van Island, southern part of the Gulf of Mannar, India. (15th February 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Krishnakumar, S.; Ramasamy, S.; Chandrasekar, N.; Peter, T. Simon; Godson, Prince S.; Gopal, V.; Magesh, N.S.
• Is Part Of: Marine pollution bulletin. Volume 115:Number 1/2(2017)
• Page Start: 444
• Page End: 450
• Publication Date: 2017-02-15
• Subjects: Coral reef ecosystem -- Surface sediments -- Sediment pollution index -- Potential ecological risk index -- Trace elements; 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.2016.10.067
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-326X

Abstract

Abstract: Forty eight surface sediment samples were collected from the vicinity of Van Island in order to assess the sediment pollution level and potential ecological risk on coral reef ecosystem. The analytical and correlation results indicate a distribution of elements is chiefly controlled by the CaCO3 and OM. The enrichment factor and geoaccumulation index show the elevated level of Pb in the surface sediments is due to application of lead petrol and coal incinerating power plants. The sediment pollution index reveals that majority of the sediments falling under highly polluted sediment category (35.4%) followed by moderately polluted (25%) and dangerous sediment category (14.58%). The potential ecological risk suggests that nearly 66.6% of the samples falling under the low risk category, moderate risk category (20.8%) followed by considerable risk category (8.33%) and very high risk category (4.1%). The accumulation level of trace elements clearly suggests that the coral reef ecosystem is under low risk. Highlights: The present work was carried out to assess the sediment pollution level and potential ecological risk on coral reef ecosystem. The obtained results suggest that calcium carbonate and organic matter is the chief controlling factor of trace elements. The surface sediments are contaminated by lead due to urban development and coal incinerating power plants. The sediment accumulated trace element level clearly suggests that the coral reef ecosystem is under low risk.