Assessment of Heavy Metals Contamination Level in Estuarine Sea Sediment from Kollidam, India

K. Shameem Rani

Abstract: A study was conducted during January to December of 2010. The accumulation of some heavy metals such as Pb, Cd, Cu Fe and Cr was determined in sediment collected from kollidam, Tamil nadu. The results showed that these metals are found widespread throughout the study area, but metal concentrations in the water samples are below the detection limits (BDL). Pb, Cd, Cu and Cr contamination were determined in sediments. The lower and higher ranges of Pb values observed for the sediment samples of both Kollidam estuaries are many times lower than NOAA recommended ER (46.7mg/kg dry weight) and ERM (218mg/kg dry weight) values and PDEP recommended TEL (30.2mg/kg) and PEL (112mg/kg) values. The lower and higher ranges of chromium observed from Kollidam estuary are significantly higher. Moreover, the above mentioned lower and higher ranges of these chromium concentrations in Kollidam estuary are significantly lower than the ER value 81mg/kg and ERM value 370mg/kg, these ranges are many times lower than the NOAA recommended ER and ERM values.

Keywords: Kollidam, heavy metals, sediments