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Sedimentation and trace metal distribution in selected locations of Sundarbans mangroves and Hooghly estuary, Northeast coast of India

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Abstract

Four sediment cores were collected from selected locations of Sundarbans mangroves and Hooghly estuary, northeast coast of India to establish 210Pb geochronology and trace metal distribution in sediments. Core sites were chosen to reflect a matrix of variable anthropogenic input and hydrological conditions. The vertical distribution of 210Pbxs (210Pbtotal–226Ra) provided reliable geochronological age to calculate the mass accumulation rates and historic trace element inputs and their variations. The mass accumulation rates ranged from 0.41 g cm−2 year−1 (estuarine region) to 0.66 g cm−2 year−1 (mangrove region). Both in mangroves and estuarine systems, Fe–Mn oxy-hydroxides are observed to be a major controlling factor for trace metal accumulation when compared to organic carbon. Core collected from Hooghly estuary shows less contamination when compared to the mangrove region due to high energy and mostly coarse grained. Fe-normalized enrichment factors (EFs) of trace metals were calculated based on crustal trace element abundances. The EFs are typically >1 for Cd, Pb, Co, and Cu indicating that these metals are highly enriched while other metals such as Zn, Ni, Cr, and Mn show no enrichment or depletion. Both Sundarbans mangroves and Hooghly estuary have been receiving considerable pollution loads from anthropogenic sources such as industrial, domestic, and shipping activities in recent times, indicating high concentration of metals in the top few layers. This study suggests that the variation in trace metals content with depth or between mangrove and estuarine system results largely from metal input due to anthropogenic activities rather than diagenetic processes.

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Acknowledgments

The authors extend profound thanks to Ministry of Environment & Forests (MoEF), Government of India, for all the assistance provided for sampling and analysis. They also express their sincere appreciation to Mr. R. Elumalai for helping with radiochemical analysis. The authors also thank to Dr. S. Srinivasalu, Department of Geology, Anna University, Chennai, and Dr. V. Kannan, Former Director of ESL, Kalpakkam, for providing valuable suggestions. Authors are thankful to anonymous referees for their thoughtful and constructive comments on the earlier manuscript.

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  1. Institute for Ocean Management, Anna University, Chennai, 600025, India

    Kakolee Banerjee, B. Senthilkumar, R. Purvaja & R. Ramesh

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Banerjee, K., Senthilkumar, B., Purvaja, R. et al. Sedimentation and trace metal distribution in selected locations of Sundarbans mangroves and Hooghly estuary, Northeast coast of India. Environ Geochem Health 34, 27–42 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-011-9388-0

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