Trace metal geochemistry of core sediments between Visakhaptanam and Kakinada, along the eastcoast of India

Six sediment core samples collected from the innershelf of the east coast of India between Visakhapatnam and Kakinada were analyzed for major （Al ＆ Fe） and trace metals （Cu, Co, Ni, Cd, Pb, Zn, Mn ＆ Cr） to study the processes that regulate their concentrations in coastal sediments and to evaluate the metal contamination due to anthropogenic interference. High concentrations of Fe （5%-7%） are attributed mainly to the fine texture and its proximity to the source, maflc rocks. Positive correlation of Fe with Mn in all the cores indicates the influence of early diagenetic process. Positive correlations between Co, Ni, Zn and Cd among themselves and with Fe indicate their adsorption to ferromanganese oxides and involvement in geochemical processes. Further normalization of metals to Al indicates that the sediments are depleted in Mn ＆ Zn and relatively enriched in Cd, Co, Ni, Pb ＆ Cr, which also confirms that the origin of these sediments is of geological rather than biogenic importance. The Geo-accumulation （Igeo） values calculated for Ni, Pb, Co, Cd, Zn ＆ Cr are more or less near to unity （Igeo≥1）, indicating no industrial metal pollution. Pollution Load Index （PLI） values （1-2） calculated for the trace metals confirm the above findings.

Trace metal geochemistry of core sediments between Visakhaptanam and Kakinada, along the eastcoast of India