Abstract
Geochemical partitioning of sediment bound metals in Cochin estuary were determined by sequential extraction to unravel the processes controlling their distribution, mobility and contamination status. Most of the metals recorded higher content at residual and exchangeable fractions. Abundance of Cd, Zn and Mn in bioavailable form (promoted by surface adsorption on fine grained sediments) was sourced to industrial operations, municipal sewage and agriculture effluents. Pyrite formation effectively controls the fraction distribution of redox sensitive elements- Mn and Fe. Scavenging by Fe-Mn oxide was dominant process regulating the accretion of metals -Zn, Ni, Cr, Co, Cd, Mn whereas organic matter complexation facilitate the accumulation of the metals-Mn, Co, Cu and Zn. Contamination due to Zn and Cd was substantiated by enrichment factor (range for Zn: 4.42–57.22; range for Cd: 0.02–0.37), contamination factor (range for Zn: 0.51–22.19; range for Cd: 3.30–60.67 and geoaccumulation index (range for Zn: 0.10–4.45; range for Cd: 0.66–12.18). Elevated PLI (Range: 0.19–1.58) indicated metal inputs from anthropogenic activities. Potential ecological risk values >40 implied that Cd, Zn and Pb can induce risk to the ecosystem.
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