Effect of a tropical cyclone on the distribution of heavy metals in the marine sediments off Kameswaram, Southeast coast of India

Mar Pollut Bull. 2021 Oct:171:112741. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112741. Epub 2021 Jul 22.

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.

Keywords: Contamination; Cyclone Gaja; Heavy metals; India; Marine sediments; Off Kameswaram.

MeSH terms

  • Cyclonic Storms*
  • Environmental Monitoring
  • Geologic Sediments
  • India
  • Metals, Heavy* / analysis
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical* / analysis

Substances

  • Metals, Heavy
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical