ACCUMULATION OF HEAVY METALS IN THE FISH, WATER AND SEDIMENTS BEFORE AND AFTER TSUNAMI AT NAGAPATTINAM COAST, SOUTH EAST INDIA

摘要

Accumulation of heavy metals [Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni. Cd, Co. & Pb] in water, sediments and Mugil cephcilus [fish] at six different stations of Nagapattinam coasts lying along the south east coast of India were studied before and after tsunami attack by using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Accumulation of heavy metals was observed in the order of sediments > fish > water. After tsunami, in water, the highest recorded value among heavy metals was Mn; the lowest recorded value among metals was Pb and it varied from 419.6 mg/l to 496.8 mg/l and 0.005 mg/l to 0.009 mg/l respectively. In sediments, the highest recorded value among heavy metals was Mn; the lowest recorded value among metals was Zn and it varied from 694.9 mg/g to 786.3 mg/g and 7.3 mg/g to 11.1 mg/g, respectively. In fish, the highest recorded value among heavy metals was Fe; the lowest recorded value among metals was Co and it varied from 456.2 mg/g to 572.2 mg/g and 0.001 mg/g to 0.001 mg/g respectively.