Effect of a tropical cyclone on the distribution of heavy metals in the marine sediments off Kameswaram, Southeast coast of India. (October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gopal, V.; Krishnamurthy, R.R.; Sreeshma, T.; Chakraborty, Prasenjeet; Nathan, C. Sabari; Kalaivanan, R.; Anshu, R.; Magesh, N.S.; Jayaprakash, M.
• Is Part Of: Marine pollution bulletin. Volume 171(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-10
• Subjects: Heavy metals -- Marine sediments -- Cyclone Gaja -- Contamination -- Off Kameswaram -- India; 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.2021.112741
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-326X

Abstract

Abstract: Cyclones and heavy rainfalls are the main reasons for incessant environmental aggravation in the coastal regions and the distribution of pollutants from the contaminated terrestrial areas to the offshore regions. Twenty-five surface sediment samples were collected off Kameswaram, SE coast of India, and assessed for their geochemical and sedimentological characteristics post Cyclone Gaja. Sediment texture and various geochemical analyses were carried out to assess the metal distribution in the study area. Environmental impacts caused by heavy metal contamination in the marine sediments were assessed using different sediment pollution indices and it was found that metals such as Cu, Zn, Ni, and Co were moderately contaminated. Fe and Cr were uncontaminated to moderately contaminated, and Mn fall under the uncontaminated category. Multivariate statistical analyses revealed that the enrichment of organic-rich mud helps in entrapping the heavy metals, thus polluting the environment. Moreover, these metals were mainly derived from anthropogenic activities. Highlights: Heavy metal content in marine sediments off Kameswaram was evaluated. Environmental indices revealed metals of moderately contamination. Anthropogenic sources influence metal contamination in marine sediments. Multivariate statistics reveals the role of OM in metal distribution.