Assessment of metal contamination in sediment of Kerala Coast, India using EDXRF technique and Multivariate Statistical method

The current study focused on the distribution of heavy metals in sediments from coastline of Kerala, India using Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) technique. The concentration of V, Cr, Mn, Cu, Zn, Ba, Rb, Zr, As, Br, Sr, and Pb was determined in the sediment samples. The extent of pollution to sediment was assessed via various pollution indices such as enrichment factor (EF), contamination factor (CF), geo accumulation index (I_geo), metal pollution load index (MPI), degree of contamination (Cd), modified contamination degree (mCd), and potential contamination index (Cp) based on the corresponding background values. The source of origin of heavy metals and the correlation amongst the studied elements was studied using multivariate analysis approach (Pearson correlation matrix, principal component analysis and cluster analysis). The Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQGs) was applied to understand the ecotoxicological significance of heavy metal toxicity. The observed concentration of heavy metals in the studied sediments is due to anthropogenic activity and also from the discharge of municipal wastewater, domestic sewage, fishing harbor activities, industrial and aquaculture pollutants. A regular surveillance and remedial measures for contaminant discharge may reduce the metal content in the study area.