Vertical profile of heavy metal concentration in core sediments of Buckingham canal, Ennore

Abstract

Down core variations in heavy metal concentrations at every 2.5cm increment was determined. Four cores were collected to assess the heavy metals - Cd, Cr, Cu, and Mn in the Ennore creek and one core was collected from the sea. Mn is present in highest concentrations in all cores ranging 0.9 to 4ppm. Results were processed used correlation and factor analysis. Results of statistical analysis show that positive correlation exists among fine grained particles and heavy metals. Correlations of OM with heavy metals is also observed. Results confirm that fate of heavy metal in sediment is influenced by many parameters. Sediment pollution assessment was carried out using geoaccumalation index, anthropogenic, enrichment and contamination factor. Muller’s I_geo classification places Ennore under class 0 - uncontaminated except C3 which falls under class 6 (very highly contaminated). EF places Ennore under minimal contamination. According to Pollution Load Index calculations Ennore shows low to moderate degree of contamination.