Elskens, M.

Kochzius, M.

Leermakers, M.

Pant, P.

Sheikh, M.

Open Marine Archive

Assessment of Heavy Metal Concentrations in Mangrove 
Sediments along the Zanzibar Coast 
Pankaj Pant1, Marc Elskens2, Martine Leermakers2, Mohammed Sheikh3, Marc Kochzius1  
1 Marine Biology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel. 
2 Department of Analytical and Environmental Chemistry, Vrije Universiteit Brussel 
3 Department of Chemistry, State University of Zanzibar 
Corresponding author : Pankaj.Pant@vub.ac.be 
 
Introduction 
Methodology 
Results 
Objectives 
To investigate : 
• the distribution patterns of heavy metals in 
mangrove sediments. 
• anthropogenic influence on metal 
concentrations by using pollution indices. 
• bio-accumulation of metals in a commonly 
occurring species. 
• Mangroves are among the most productive 
ecosystems, and dominate the shorelines in the 
tropics.  
• They are an important sink of suspended sediments 
and also have a high capacity to retain heavy metals. 
• Mangroves in the vicinity of populated areas are 
impacted by urban and industrial run-off. 
Sample Collection 
Sediments were collected 
and frozen, tissue samples 
were stored in ethanol. 
 
Labwork 
Sediment grain size 
distribution. 
Organic matter 
content analysis. 
Heavy metal 
analysis of 
sediments & tissue. 
 
 
Evaluating 
contamination 
using pollution 
indices 
Enrichment factor (Ef), 
Index of 
geoaccumulation (Igeo), 
Contamination degree 
(Cd) & Pollution load 
index (PLI) 
Analysis will reveal:  
• the spatial distribution of heavy metals in the sediments 
• their relation with physicochemical variables.  
• the extent of heavy metals readily available in 
exchangeable fractions 
• implications for bio-accumulation occurring in organisms.  
• Fernandes, L., Nayak, G. N., & Ilangovan, D. (2012). 
Geochemical Assessment of Metal Concentrations in 
Mangrove Sediments along Mumbai Coast, India. World 
Acad Sci Eng Technol, 61, 258-263. 
• Rumisha, C., Elskens, M., Leermakers, M., & Kochzius, M. 
(2012). Trace metal pollution and its influence on the 
community structure of soft bottom molluscs in intertidal 
areas of the Dar es Salaam coast, Tanzania. Marine 
Pollution Bulletin. 
• Sheikh, M. A., Noah, N. M., Tsuha, K., & Oomori, T. (2007). 
Occurrence of tributyltin compounds and characteristics 
of heavy metals. Int. J. Environ. Sci. Tech, 4(1), 49-60. 
References 


Assessment of heavy metal concentrations in mangrove sediments along the Zanzibar coast

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