Heavy metal distribution in the biotic and abiotic matrices along Karnataka coast, west coast of India

Abstract

Sediment and soft tissue of bivalve samples collected from various sites of Karnataka coast were analysed for the estimation of the natural and anthropogenic heavy metal fluxes. Seasonal variations of heavy metals in sediment and bivalves collected from selected <i>hot</i> spots from Binage, Karwar and Thannirbavi, Mangalore were monitored. High concentrations of Hg was observed in the environment near the vicinity of a caustic soda plant at Binage, Karwar, indicating Hg pollution. Total Hg concentration in the tissue of oysters sampled from a contaminated stream from the above site, exceeded the safe limit of 0.5 µg g^-1 wet weight. The base-line heavy metal concentrations in sediment and bivalves from selected sites of coastal Karnataka are presented.