Mercury enrichment in sediments of Amba estuary

Abstract

89-96 Concentrations of Hg, total organic carbon (TOC), Al, Fe and Mn were determined in sediment of the Amba Estuary between the mouth and the head over a distance of 24 km in December and May during 1997-2002. Temporal and spatial changes in metal concentrations appear to be due to sediment movement associated with tidal movements. The Hg concentration varies in 0.05 -2.66 µg g-1 range and the profiles of its variation indicate Patalganga River that opens in the Amba Estuary is a major source of anthropogenic metal to the estuary. Geoaccumulation index and enrichment factor support Hg contamination of the estuarine sediment to a varying degree. Hg is not significantly correlated with TOC, Al, Fe and Mn in these sediments. </smarttagtype