Data set on trace metals in surface sediment and water from a sub-tropical estuarine system, Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh.

M Belal Hossain,Mohd Hanafi Idris,Md Solaiman Hossain,Solaiman Bin Habib,Y.N Jolly,Md Refat Jahan Rakib,Abu Hena Mustafa Kamal

doi:10.1016/j.dib.2020.105911

Abstract

Meghna River Estuary, the largest estuarine system (GBM, Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna) in Bangladesh, is a major spawning ground of national fish, Hilsha shad. In this study, we collected 24 surface sediment and 24 water samples from the entire lower estuary (4 sites, 3 sampling points from each site, 2 replicas from each sampling point) to detect trace/heavy metals. Sediment samples were collected from the top surface soil (0–5 cm) using Ekman grab sampler and water samples from 5 cm below the surface layer using plastic water bottles. After collection, sediment and water samples were preserved as necessary using HNO3 (for water). Immediately after reaching the laboratory, sediment samples were dried in an oven at 70°C until the constant weight gained. The metals were then analyzed using energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence method (EDXRF) and calculated the metal concentrations. In total, 12 metals were detected and the average value (mg/Kg) of all metals for sediment samples followed the descending order of Fe > Ca > K >Ti >Sr >Zr >Rb> Cu > Zn >Pb >As > Ni, and for water the order (µg/mL) of Fe >Ti > Ca > Co >Mn > Ni > Zn >Sr > Cu > As > Se . Besides, several physicochemical parameters i.e. water pH, soil pH, temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, hardness, and alkalinity of the 12 sampling points were also measured in-situ using handheld instruments.

Highlights

Data set on trace metals in surface sediment and water from a sub-tropical estuarine system, Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh
Sediment samples were collected from the top surface soil (0–5 cm) using Ekman grab sampler and water samples from 5 cm below the surface layer using plastic water bottles
The sedimet and water samples were collected during June and July 2017 from 4 sites and 12 stations in the lower part of the Meghna estuary, Bay of Bengal (BOB), Bangladesh

Summary

Data accessibility

Physico-chemical parameters (e.g., pH, salinity) were measured by digital hand-held multi-meter (HANNA instruments, Germany). 24 sediment and 24 water samples were collected from selected sampling points along the lower estuary using. Trace/ heavy metal data were measured by following standard procedure of sample preparation and analysis by the EDXRF (energy-dispersive x-ray fluorescence) method [1,2]. 1. Surface sediment samples from the bottom of the lower estuary of Meghna river. The sedimet and water samples were collected during June and July 2017 from 4 sites and 12 stations in the lower part of the Meghna estuary, Bay of Bengal (BOB), Bangladesh. Sediment and water samples were collected using Ekman grab and water bottles respectively. In terms of water sample analysis, we followed the same process but we used cellulose for making a pellet. Environmentalists/ policy makers can use the information to control metal pollution in this valuable ecosystem

Data description

Study sites

In-situ water quality parameters measurement

Water and sediment sample collection

Findings

Sample analysis