A study of textural and accumulation heavy metals of sediments in mangrove ecosystem of Persian Gulf, South Iran

Abstract

Sediment samples this area were collected during December 2013 to April 2015. Seven heavy metal concentrations, grain size, organic carbon and carbonate contents were studied in order to assess the extent of distribution pollution and to discuss the origin of these contaminants in sediments. These sediments contain varieties of sediment types including sandy silt, silty sand and sandy. The mangrove area was characterized as poorly to extremely poorly sorted sediment environments. Sediments were identified as strongly fine skewed with very leptokurtic character. Contamination of sediments was assessed on basis of geoaccumulation index (Igeo), contamination factor (CF), Modified degree of contamination (mCd) and Pollution load index (PLI). Result of Contamination indices indicated that the sediments were uncontaminated with Pb, Zn, Cu and Fe, uncontaminated to moderately contamination with Cr and Ni, moderately to heavily contaminate with Cd in mangrove ecosystem in Hara Biosphere Reserve, Persian Gulf.