Metal Enrichment and Contamination in River and Estuary Sediments of Tamirabarani, South India

The heavy metals enrichment and contamination are deliberated from twenty-four sediment samples collected along the Tamirabarani river and estuary. The concentration and spatial distribution of heavy metals in Tamirabarani River and estuary are analyzed for Copper, Nickel, Chromium, Lead, Zinc, Cadmium and Iron. The extent of pollution in these sediments was assessed using enrichment factor (EF), contamination factor (CF), geo-accumulation index (Igeo), Pollution Load Index (PLI). The contamination factor specify low to moderately contaminated, except for Cd. Igeo factors of all samples comprise strongly to extremely polluted index for Cd and moderately polluted index for Pb. The area PLI load for winter indicate higher variation than in summer, it is also noted that Pb and Cd are the major pollutants contributing high PLI values in the study area. This elevated value is mainly owing to the salinity intrusion and anthropogenic inputs. The constant variation of metals in sediment samples is due to the linking of industrial and anthropogenic influences. The combined and collective consequences go in front to a severe risk to the entire estuarine environment. Citation: Mukesh MV, Chandrasekaran A, Premkumar R, Keerthi BN (2018) Metal Enrichment and Contamination in River and Estuary Sediments of Tamirabarani, South India. J Earth Sci Clim Change 9: 497. doi: 10.4172/2157-7617.1000497