Distribution of various forms of Cd, Pb and Cu in the Wadge Bank region(Arabian Sea)

Abstract

Labile, nonlabile and particulate forms of Cd, Pb and Cu were determined in 29 water samples collected from a depth of 5 m, from the Wadge Bank area. Labile Cd varied from 0.1 to 0.2 <i>µ</i>g.l^-1 while nonlabile fraction was in the range 0.1 to 0.3 <i>µ</i>g.l^-1. Nonlabile form of Pb was not detectable at most of the stations and the labile form was within the range 0.78 to 3.5 <i>µ</i>g.l^-1. Labile Cu varied from 0.1 to 1.0 <i>µ</i>g.l^-1 while nonlabile form was in the range 0.2 to 2.2 <i>µ</i>g.l^-1. Particulate Cd, Pb and Cu ranged from 0 to 17.9, 11.3to 81.8 and 9.5 to 130.0 <i>µ</i>g.l^-1 (dry wt) respectively.