DISTRIBUTION OF HEAVY METALS IN VELLAR ESTUARY, SOUTHEAST COAST OF INDIA

摘要

Distribution of Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn from five different stations of Vellar estuary south east coast of India for a period of six months from July to Dec 2003 has been investigated. The concentration of metals in water (Mn 0.32 to 1.23 μg l~(-1). Fe 0.54 to 0.99 μg l~(-1), Cu 0.20 to 2.7μg l~(-1),Zn 0.90 to 3.58 μg l~(-1)) was less than sediments (Mn 117.4 to 149.4 μg g~(-1), Fe 285.0 to 355.0 μg g~(-1),Cu 1.6 to 3.4 μg g~(-1), Zn 24.7 to 36.18μg g~(-1)), in all the five stations. In general, heavy metal concentrations in sediments were hundred folds greater than that of water suggesting that sediments act as a sink for the heavy metals.