Mercury enrichment in sediments of Amba estuary

Abstract

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 mu g g sup(-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