Distribution and fractionation of heavy metals in the surface sediments of the Ganges- Brahmaputra-Meghna river system in the Bengal basin

 The lower Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna (G-B-M) drainage basin occupies the total Bengal Basin, which is one of the unique basins of the world because of its location and size, density of population, and catastrophic deposition of sediments. The increased heavy metal concentration in the 63 m fraction of surface sediments shows similarity among major segments of the G-B-M system in the basin, which reflects the homogenization of lithologic and chemical diversity of the greater denudation regime by the river processes. The differences in heavy metal concentation in the lower G-B-M system with that of its upper and middle counterpart is mainly related to the contrast between Himalayan rivers and the other major South Asian rivers, and may be due to the geological differences of their denudation regime. Heavy metals in the Lower G-B-M system have an affinity towards the clay fraction of the sediments. The correlation matix of heavy metals in the lower Brahmaputra and Meghna suggests the importance of Fe-Mn oxyhydroxides in their accumulations. Iron, Ti and Mn are higher in the Meghna main channel, Zn is higher in the Meghna tributaries, and Cr is higher in both the Brahmaputra and Meghna compared to the value for standard shale. The enrichment factor is ≤1 for most of the metals except Mn which is relatively higher in the Meghna and lower Ganges main channels. The geoaccumulation index (I_geo) for most of the heavy metals lies below grade zero, suggesting unpolluted sediment quality. The lower Ganges system shows relatively higher concentration in the nondetrital fraction of heavy metals, probably due to the presence of petroleum refinery, industrial and mining effluents, and agricultural runoff in the drainage basin. The relative uniformity in concentration of heavy metals in vertical profiles may be due to the uniformity in sediment grain size and catastrophic deposition of sediments, where the time period represented by the vertical sediment column is not enough to reflect the cultural accumulation of heavy metals. The Bengal basin thus represents a relatively unperturbed alluvial basin with regards to heavy metal pollution. Received: 21 July 1997 · Accepted: 13 October 1997     

Environmental magnetic and geochemical characteristics of Chennai coastal sediments,Bay of Bengal,India

In this study, environmental magnetic, heavy metal and statistical analyses were conducted on 21 surface sediments collected from Chennai coast, India, to examine the feasibility of heavy metal pollution using magnetic susceptibility. The Chennai coastal sediment samples are dominated by ferrimagnetic minerals corresponding to magnetite-like minerals. The percentage of frequency dependent magnetic susceptibility reflects the presence of super-paramagnetic/single domain magnetic minerals in Chennai harbour, Cooum and Adayar rivers sediments. High pollution load index in sample E1, E2, CH7, C11, C12 and A16 is mainly due to anthropogenic activities such as, harbour activities, Cooum and Adayar rivers input and industrial effluent. Factor analysis shows that the magnetic concentration dependent parameters (χ, χ _ARM and SIRM) covary with the heavy metal concentrations, suggesting that the input of magnetic minerals and heavy metals in Chennai coastal sediments are derived from the same anthropogenic sources. Strong correlation obtained between pollution load index (PLI) and concentration dependent parameters (χ, χ _ARM and SIRM) for the polluted samples with magnetic susceptibility excess of 50×10^− 8 m³kg^− 1. Significant correlations between heavy metals and magnetic susceptibility point out the potential of magnetic screening/monitoring for simple and rapid proxy indicator of heavy metal pollution in marine sediments.     

Suspended matter in surface waters: influence of river discharge and of upwelling*

About 4100 samples of suspended matter were collected by filtration of surface ocean waters in three large regions on the western sides of oceans and two on the eastern sides. Comparison of results shows that the non-combustible fraction (chiefly detrital clays and silts with some siliceous and calcareous skeletal debris) generally dominates along the western sides of oceans, where large contributions of solid detrital sediment are made by rivers that drain much of the adjacent continents. The combustible fraction also is important off these rivers, but it is more important (both relative to the non-combustible fraction and in absolute terms) along the eastern sides of oceans, where upwelling is intense.     

Distribution of trace elements in the coastal sea sediments of Maslinica Bay, Croatia

Spatial distributions of trace elements in the coastal sea sediments and water of Maslinica Bay (Southern Adriatic), Croatia and possible changes in marine flora and foraminifera communities due to pollution were investigated. Macro, micro and trace elements’ distributions in five granulometric fractions were determined for each sediment sample. Bulk sediment samples were also subjected to leaching tests. Elemental concentrations in sediments, sediment extracts and seawater were measured by source excited energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF). Concentrations of the elements Cr, Cu, Zn, and Pb in bulk sediment samples taken in the Maslinica Bay were from 2.1 to over six times enriched when compared with the background level determined for coarse grained carbonate sediments. A low degree of trace elements leaching determined for bulk sediments pointed to strong bonding of trace elements to sediment mineral phases. The analyses of marine flora pointed to higher eutrophication, which disturbs the balance between communities and natural habitats.     

广西典型近岸海域表层沉积物碎屑矿物分布及其物源意义

基于"我国重点海岸带滨海环境地质调查与评价"项目,分析了广西典型岸段20 m以浅的海域表层沉积物和地貌类型及其分布特征,并在此基础上探讨了碎屑矿物含量和种类的分布、变化以及组合.研究结果表明:研究区水动力较强,作用方式多样,有近30种碎屑矿物,其中主要有石英、长石、钛铁矿、云母、锆石、黄铁矿以及海绿石等,重矿物较为丰富;自全新世早期海侵以来,研究区先后进入了浅海海湾相沉积环境,但碎屑矿物种类与之前基本相似,其含量变化是由于气候和海平面的波动而致;研究区碎屑矿物在以沉积物和地貌类型为单位的各类地质单元中,其含量和种类均有所不同,尤以重矿物的变异性最为突出;各研究区重矿物组合可分为2~3个亚分区,均反映出与沉积环境关系密切.结果表明,研究区碎屑物质主要源于周缘陆区风化剥蚀、海岸侵蚀和河流输入,碎屑物质具有陆源性.     

Distribution,fractionation, and contamination assessment of heavy metals in offshore surface sediments from western Xiamen Bay,China

Surface sediment samples were collected at 21 offshore sites in western Xiamen Bay, Southeast China. Total concentrations of Li, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Sr, Mn, Pb, Ba, Fe, and Ti were determined by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry; Hg was determined by atomic fluorescence spectrometry. A modified BCR sequential extraction procedure was used to extract fractions of the above elements. Concentrations of Pb, Cr, and Hg at most sites met the primary standard criteria of Marine Sediment Quality except site S12 for Pb and S7 for Cr, while concentrations of Zn at 17 sites and Cu at seven sites exceeded the criteria. The mean concentration of Hg was three times higher than the background, with a possible source being the Jiulong River. Fe, Ti, Ba, Co, V, and Li dominated the residual phase, mainly from terrestrial input. Ni, Cr, Pb, and Hg in the non-residual phase varied largely between sites. Sr, Mn, Cu, and Zn were mainly in the non-residual fraction. Most sites showed considerable ecological risk; exceptions were site S7 (very high) and sites S10, S11, and S14 (moderate). Cu showed moderate-to-high pollution and Pb exhibited no-to-low pollution, while other metals had a non-pollution status according to their ratios of secondary phase to primary phase (RSP). Results of two assessment methods showed moderate pollution and a very high ecological risk for Cu, Zn, Ni, and Cr at site S7, which might be due to the local sewage treatment plant.     

渤海湾西部海域表层沉积物重金属含量分布与评价

通过分析测定渤海湾100个站位表层沉积物中重金属元素的含量,探讨其分布特征及富集状况,并通过地累积指数法和潜在生态危害指数法对渤海湾西部岐口凹陷海域底质环境进行了评价。结果表明：渤海湾西部海域表层沉积物中As、Hg、Cu、Pb、Cd的平均含量分别为12．9×10－6、0．031×10－6、29．5×10－6、27．4×10－6、0．159×10－6。结合5种元素的地球化学图及地累积指数法分析表明,研究区表层沉积物整体上未受到As、Hg、Cu、Pb、Cd的污染,而在高值区Pb和Cu达到轻度污染的水平;潜在生态危害指数法的评价结果指明,重金属元素的潜在危害程度顺序是Hg＞Cd＞As＞Pb＞Cu,研究区重金属的潜在生态危害轻微,只有在高值区,Hg和Cd才达到中等程度的生态危害。     

Distribution of particulate carbohydrate species in the Bay of Bengal

Suspended particulate matter (SPM) of surface seawaters was collected during December 2003 to October 2004 at 10 stations in the Bay of Bengal, and analyzed for particulate organic carbon (POC), total particulate nitrogen (TPN), total particulate carbohydrate (TPCHO) and total particulate uronic acids (TPURA). The concentrations of POC, TPCHO and TPURA varied from 4.80 to 29.12, 0.85 to 4.24, 0.09 to 0.91 μM C, respectively. The TPCHO-C and TPURA-C accounted for 6.6–32.5% and 0.87–3.65% of POC. The trends observed for the distribution of these compounds were generally similar to those recorded for the distribution of chlorophyll a (Chl a). The C/N ratios varied from 3.2 to 22.3 with most of the values being < 10. This suggests that the organic matter was mostly derived from phytoplankton and bacteria. Relatively low C/N ratios and high TPCHO yield imply that freshly derived organic matter was present during SWM and FIM. Our data suggest that the quality and quantity of organic matter varied spatially and seasonally.     

Meso-scale atmospheric events promote phytoplankton blooms in the coastal Bay of Bengal

The Bay of Bengal is considered to be a low productive region compared to the Arabian Sea based on conventional seasonal observations. Such seasonal observations are not representative of a calendar year since the conventional approach might miss episodic high productive events associated with extreme atmospheric processes. We examined here the influence of extreme atmospheric events, such as heavy rainfall and cyclone Sidr, on phytoplankton biomass in the western Bay of Bengal using both in situ time-series observations and satellite derived Chlorophyll a (Chl a) and sea surface temperature (SST). Supply of nutrients through the runoff driven by episodic heavy rainfall (234 mm) on 4–5 October 2007 caused an increase in Chl a concentration by four times than the previous in the coastal Bay was observed within two weeks. Similar increase in Chl a, by 3 to 10 times, was observed on the right side of the cyclone Sidr track in the central Bay of Bengal after the cyclone Sidr. These two episodic events caused phytoplankton blooms in the western Bay of Bengal which enhanced ~40% of fishery production during October–December 2007 compared to that in the same period in 2006.     

南海西部表层沉积物碎屑矿物分布特征及其物源

南海西部海域的物源研究程度相对较低,尤其对中段的物源有较大的争议。通常认为中部没有大河注入,其物源主要来自其南北的湄公河和红河。笔者通过对该区表层沉积物的系统取样及碎屑矿物分析鉴定认为,碎屑矿物主要分布于南部陆架区和中部陆坡区域。根据因子分析,南海西部碎屑矿物可以明显分为南部、中部、北部三区。南区陆架碎屑矿物主要由重矿物金红石、锐钛矿、白钛矿、锆石、透闪石、十字石及轻矿物石英、长石等组成,原岩应以岩浆岩类为主,包括部分变质岩;中区陆坡以十字石、透闪石、电气石、褐铁矿及黑云母、白云母为主,原岩可能主要为变质岩类;北区陆坡碎屑矿物少,组合特征不明显。各区不仅组合特征明显不同,且各区分界明显,表明其物质来源明显不同,南区物源主要来自红河和加里曼丹岛;中部海域的碎屑矿物组合与中南半岛大量出露的变质岩基本吻合,表明其物源主要来自中南半岛,而不是来自其南北的湄公河和红河。     

Dispersal of river sediments in coastal seas: Six contrasting cases

The fate of sediment seaward of river mouths involves at least four stages: supply via plumes; initial deposition; resuspension and transport by marine processes; and long-term net accumulation. The processes that operate at each stage, and relative roles of each stage in governing the long-term accumulation patterns, vary appreciably with river regime and coastal ocean environment. To illustrate the diversity and illuminate the process of dispersal, information is synthesized for six systems: Amazon, Changjiang, Mississippi, Columbia, Purari, and Huanghe. These systems differ markedly in terms of water discharge, sediment discharge, and coastal energy regime and much of the diversity of dispersal patterns is attributed to these differences as well as to the temporal sequencing of river discharge relative to oceanographic transport processes. Although the sediment: water ratio of the discharge of the Mississippi River is 70 times less than that of the Huanghe, both of these systems exhibit rapid deposition and accumulation of sediments near the river mouths. In contrast, sediments dispersed by, the other four systems are transported greater distances from the mouths by oceanographic processes, and are accumulating over relatively wide areas.     

Distribution and speciation of heavy metals in surface sediments from the Yangtze estuary and coastal areas

The concentrations and speciation of heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn) in the sediments of the nearshore area, river channel and coastal zones of the Yangtze estuary, China, were systematically investigated in this study. The concentrations of all heavy metals except Ni in the sediments of the nearshore area were higher than those of the river channel and coastal zones. In the nearshore area, the concentrations of most heavy metals except Hg in the sediments of the southern branch were higher than those of the northern branch because of the import of pollutants from the urban and industrial activities around. When compared with the threshold effect level (TEL) and geochemical background levels, Cr, Ni and As accumulated and posed potential adverse biological effects. The speciation analysis suggested that Cd, Pb and Zn in the sediments of the three zones showed higher bioavailability than the other heavy metals, and thus posed ecological risk. Significant correlations were observed among Cr, Cu, Ni and Zn (r > 0.77) in the nearshore area, Ni, Cu, Zn and Pb (r > 0.85) in the river channel and Ni, Cu, Cr, Pb and Zn (r > 0.75) in the coastal zone. Principal component analysis (PCA) indicated that the discharge of unban and industrial sewage, shipping pollution and the properties of the sediments (contents of Fe, Mn, Al, TOC, clay and silt) dominated the distribution of heavy metal in the nearshore area, river channel and coastal zones of the Yangtze estuary.     

Distribution of particulate organic carbon in the central Bay of Bengal

Particulate organic carbon (POC) was measured for 77 water samples collected over a 3000 m water column along 88° E in the central Bay of Bengal. The POC values varied from 80 to 895 μg per litre at the surface and 171 to 261 μg per litre at 2000 m. The POC decreased with increasing water depth at all the stations. Deep water concentrations of POC were higher than those reported from other oceanic waters. Distribution of POC was not influenced by water masses. The POC was not significantly correlated with chlorophylla.     

广西防城港近岸表层沉积物重金属分布特征及污染评价

为了解防城港近岸海域表层沉积物重金属分布及污染特征,系统采集了19件研究区的表层沉积物样品,检测了7种重金属元素的含量.测试结果表明:研究区表层沉积物中Cu、Pb、Zn、Cd、Cr、Hg和As含量均符合政府制定的海洋功能区划要求.单因子潜在生态危害指数法评价结果显示,不同重金属潜在生态危害排序为Hg>Cu>Cd>As>...     

Influence of natural and anthropogenic factors on the water quality of the coastal waters around the South Andaman in the Bay of Bengal

During the last decade, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (ANI) have witnessed a marginal population growth with associated variations and degradation in the water quality of the inhabited coastal region. Monthly water quality data collected from six coastal locations in ANI were used to evaluate the anthropogenic influence in an otherwise pristine island environment. Exceptionally low dissolved oxygen (0.7–2.0 mg/L) at the Phoenix Jetty (PJ) and mangrove site indicates hypoxic conditions. Among the nutrients, nitrate shows high values at PJ due to heavy nutrient loading from domestic sewage. The cluster analysis segregated PJ from the remaining sites, indicating deterioration in the water quality. On the other hand, water quality at Sippighat, a low-intensity aquaculture site, does not indicate any deterioration. Apart from the large modulations in the water quality of the study area by the Bay of Bengal waters, the effect of domestic waste discharges significantly affects the coastal waters of Andaman. Though the present water quality at most of the study sites appears acceptable, the increased volume of tourism and allied activities poses a potential threat to the island ecosystem. Besides the anthropogenic influences, the long-term trends in oceanographic factors were analyzed in order to decipher the expected natural effect on future water quality of the region. Based on the increasing sea surface temperature as well as the decreasing chlorophyll-a, eddy kinetic energy, and zonal kinetic energy, we propose that the combined effect of both natural and anthropogenic factors can ultimately distress the present ambient water quality of ANI.     

Distribution of Rare—earth Elements in the Shenzhen Bay and Dapeng Bay Modern Sediments

The aim of this paper is to study the REE geochemistry of the Shenzhen Bay (SZB) and Dapeng Bay(DPB) modern sediments, discuss their REE distribution patterns, reveal the REE geochemical difference between the two bays which share the same material source but are deposited in different sedimentary environments, and expound their dynamic changes.It can be concluded that the SZB and DPB sediments are essentially of continental source.Their REE distribution patterns are quite different from those of Pacific pelagic sediments, but are very similar to those of South Chi-na granites.Because of different sedimentary environments prevailing in the SZB and DPB, some REE fractionation would have taken place in the sediments of the two bays.     

Distribution and enrichment of trace metals in marine sediments of Bay of Bengal,off Ennore,south-east coast of India

In order to avoid the pollution of trace metals in marine environment, it is necessary to establish the data and understand the mechanisms influencing the distribution of trace metals in marine environment. The concentration of heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, Co and Cd) were studied in sediments of Ennore shelf, to understand the metal contamination due to heavily industrialized area of Ennore, south-east coast of India. Concentration of metals shows significant variability and range from 1.7 to 3.7% for Fe, 284–460 μg g⁻¹ for Mn, 148.6–243.2 μg g⁻¹ for Cr, 385–657 μg g⁻¹ for Cu, 19.8–53.4 μg g⁻¹ for Ni, 5.8–11.8 μg g⁻¹ for Co, 24.9–40 μg g⁻¹ for Pb, 71.3–201 μg g⁻¹ for Zn and 4.6–7.5 μg g⁻¹ for Cd. For various metals the contamination factor (CF) and geoaccumulation index (I _geo) has been calculated to assess the degree of pollution in sediments. The geoaccumulation index shows that Cd, Cr and Cu moderately to extremely pollute the sediments. This study shows that the major sources of metal contamination in the Ennore shelf are land-based anthropogenic ones, such as discharge of industrial wastewater, municipal sewage and run-off through the Ennore estuary. The intermetallic relationship revealed the identical behavior of metals during its transport in the marine environment.     

Heavy metal distribution in surface sediments of the Tirumalairajan river estuary and the surrounding coastal area, east coast of India

Surface sediments collected at the Tirumalairajan river estuary and their surrounding coastal areas were analyzed for the bulk metal concentration. The sediments were collected from post- and premonsoon seasons. Dominances of heavy metals are in the following order: Fe > Mn > Zn > Pb > Cu in both seasons from estuary and coastal area. The results reveal that Fe, Mn, Cu, Pb, and Zn demonstrated an increased pattern from the estuary when compared to the coastal area. The heavy metal pattern of the sediments of the Tirumalairajan river estuary and its surrounding coastal area offered strong evidence that the coastal area was a major source of heavy metals to the estuarine region. For various metals, the contamination factor and geoaccumulation index (I _geo) have been calculated to assess the degree of pollution in sediments. The contamination factor and geoaccumulation index show that Zn, Pb, and Cu unpolluted to moderately pollute the sediments in estuarine part. This study shows the major sources of metal contamination in catchment and anthropogenic ones, such as agriculture runoff, discharge of industrial wastewater, and municipal sewage through the estuary and adjoining coastal area.