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Enrichment of trace metals in surface sediments from the northern part of Point Calimere, SE coast of India

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Environmental Geology

Abstract

This study deals with the geochemical nature of distribution, enrichment of total trace metals (Fe, Mn, Cr, Cu, Ni, Co, Pb, Zn, Cd) in bulk sediments and its association with sediment texture, carbonates and organic carbon. Sixty surface sediment samples were collected during two different seasons in 2002 and 2003 along the coastal regions in three transects from Nagapattinam town, north of Point Calimere in southeast coast of India. The sediments are mostly sandy silt and are dominated by the carbonate content. Organic carbon distribution indicates that they are brought in by the minor river input. Enrichment of trace metals is clearly identified by the domination of Pb, Zn, Cd with high values than the average crustal values and comparison of trace metals from other coastal regions in the southeast coast of India. Statistical analysis clearly indicates that Fe and Mn control the distribution of trace metals and are concentrated in the finer particles and organic carbon fraction. The increase in concentration signifies the need for regular monitoring of the offshore coastal region in southeast coast of India which was recently destroyed by the 2004 December tsunami event, and which is also located near the Sethu Samuthram Ship Canal Project.

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Acknowledgments

This work is part of UGC-SAP (Phase 1) and Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India program awarded to Department of Geology, University of Madras, India. MPJ wishes to thank financial assistance by SEP-PROMEP (Grant No. UAEHGO-PTC 335), SNI-CONACYT and PAI-UAEH (Grant No. 70B), Mexico.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology, University of Madras, Guindy Campus, Chennai, 600 025, India

    V. Stephen-Pichaimani & S. P. Mohan

  2. Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Tierra, Universidad Autόnoma del Estado de Hidalgo, Ciudad Universitaria, Carretera Pachuca-Tulancingo Km 4.5, C.P.42184, Pachuca, Hidalgo, México

    M. P. Jonathan

  3. Department of Geology, Anna University, Chennai, 600 025, India

    S. Srinivasalu

  4. Department of Applied Geology, University of Madras, Guindy Campus, Chennai, 600 025, India

    N. Rajeshwara-Rao

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  1. V. Stephen-Pichaimani
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  2. M. P. Jonathan
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  3. S. Srinivasalu
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  4. N. Rajeshwara-Rao
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  5. S. P. Mohan
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Correspondence to M. P. Jonathan.

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Stephen-Pichaimani, V., Jonathan, M.P., Srinivasalu, S. et al. Enrichment of trace metals in surface sediments from the northern part of Point Calimere, SE coast of India. Environ Geol 55, 1811–1819 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-007-1132-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-007-1132-9

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