Sediment Pollution Assessment Research Articles

Environmental and Geochemical Assessment of Bottom Sediment Pollution (Approaches, Monitoring, Utilization)

The results of ecological and geochemical assessment of the state of bottom sediments of small rivers in the city of Berezniki (Perm region) are presented, and the issues of environmental monitoring of small rivers of Verkhnekamie are identified. A comprehensive assessment of bottom sediment contamination is carried out. Their unsatisfactory condition in terms of the heavy metals content (Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, Hg) and As was noted. Possible environmental actions for the disposal of such sediments are analyzed. It is concluded that it is advisable to carry out on-site remediation or dispose of sediments at specialized landfills followed by recycling.

Assessment of Water and Stream Sediment Pollution Related to Artisanal Mining in Alga, Burkina Faso, West Africa

Burkina Faso, like several other countries in the Sahelo-Sahelian strip, has seen a significant change in its mining sector in recent years through the development of the industrial and artisanal mining sub-sectors. The purpose of this study is to assess the level of pollution of water and stream sediments in the study area. A total of twenty-eight samples were taken, including three surface water samples, nine groundwater samples, ten stream sediment samples and six mine tailings samples. The analysis of the physico-chemical parameters and the metal content (cadmium, chrome, copper, mercury, nickel, lead, zinc and arsenic) of the water show that the values meet the drinking water standards in force in Burkina Faso. However, the various indices calculated, namely the geo-accumulation index (Igeo), the contamination factor (CF) and the enrichment factor (EF) show that the total metal contents of stream sediments are not d lithogenic (natural) origin but attributable to artisanal mining in the village of Alga. They highlight metal pollution with high levels of arsenic and cadmium and extremely high levels of mercury.

Qualitative Assessment of Soil and Sediment Pollution with Some Heavy Metals: A Case Study of Duhok Valley in The Kurdistan Region of Iraq

The current study was conducted on the valley of Duhok and the agricultural lands irrigated from it, where three sites were identified for collecting samples quarterly from soil and sediment using clean plastic bags for the purpose of measuring lead, nickel, cobalt and copper. Pollution load index (PLI), Nemerow pollution index (PIN), Potential Ecological Risk (PER) and Geo-accumulation Index (Igeo) were also calculated according to the internationally approved methods. The results indicated that most of lead, nickel and copper concentrations in soils and sediments exceeded the limits allowed by WHO, reaching annual rates (96.758, 168.746 and 29.88) , (111.25, 219.65 and 48.162) mg.kg-1, respectively. This fluctuation in concentrations was reflected in the values of the studied indicators for both soil and sediment, where 50% and 58% of the studied specimen are of the polluted grade and the remnant are of the non-polluted grade according to the PLI values. So is the case with PIN where 58% of the soil specimen and 41.6% of the sediment samples were of the severe pollution grade, while 25% and 33.3% of the specimen were of the heavy pollution grade and the remnant were slightly pollution grade. The same applies to the results of the PER index values, where 50% and 41.67% of the specimen were from the Medium ecological risk category, and the rest were from the low ecological risk category, likewise for the (Igeo) values, 100% and 96% of the soil and sediment samples were from the Weakly polluted category.

Spatial and seasonal trends of trace metals in the surficial sediments from off Kochi - Geochemistry and environmental implications.

Fifty four sediment samples representing pre and post-monsoon seasons were collected along a transect from off Kochi, lying between the latitudes 9°57'59.5″-9°54'30.4″ and longitudes 76°11'7.04″-75°38'50.3″ of the South eastern Arabian Sea. The present study investigates the levels of trace metals (Zn, Cd, Pb, Cu, Fe, Ni, Mn, Co and Cr), total organic carbon (TOC), total inorganic carbon (TIC), elemental composition and grain size to assess the extent of environmental pollution and to discuss the distribution of these trace metals in the surficial sediments. Sediment pollution assessment was done using the Contamination factor (C.F), Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo), Enrichment Factor (EF), and Pollution Load Index (PLI). The majority of trace metals analysed in this study exhibited the highest concentrations at stations 1, 2 and 3 where the land-based anthropogenic input was found to be maximum.

Occurrence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the estuarine sediments of the Taihu Lake and their associated toxic effects on aquatic organisms

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous toxic organic pollutants in the natural environment that are strongly associated with socioeconomic activities. Exploring the distribution, sources, and ecological toxicity of PAHs is essential to abate their pollution and biological risks. Sixteen priority PAHs in different lakeside city estuarine sediments in northern Taihu Lake in China were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Results showed that total concentrations of PAHs (ΣPAHs) ranged from 672.07 to 5 858.34 ng g -1 , with a mean value of 2 121.37 ng g -1 . High-molecular-weight PAHs (4–6 rings) were dominant, accounting for 85% of the ΣPAHs detected. Due to the barrier of gate/dam in the estuarine area, the concentrations of PAHs in the sediments were significantly different between the river mouth and lake side. Changes in total organic carbon (TOC) content and the spatial distribution of PAHs in the sediments were consistent. Sediment pollution assessment explored using the fuzzy evaluation model indicated 75% of slight PAH pollution. Some estuarine sediments (22%) concentrated in the east of Wuli Lake were moderately or heavily polluted. The PAHs may lead to occasional detrimental biological consequences in the area. Diagnostic ratios and principal component analysis-multiple linear regression suggested vehicle emission and natural gas combustion as the primary PAH contributors (81%).

Impacts of Fishing Vessels on the Heavy Metal Contamination in Sediments: A Case Study of Qianzhen Fishing Port in Southern Taiwan

Routine maintenance of fishing vessels and wastewater discharges are primary sources of heavy metals in fishing ports. Sediment pollution assessment is necessary in fishing port management, including sediment dredging and disposal, sewage treatment facility construction, and pollution source control. In this study, sediment heavy metal contents in Qianzhen Fishing Port, the largest pelagic fishery port in Taiwan, were investigated to assess the contamination levels and related potential ecological risks using multiple sediment pollution indices. Normalization methods were applied to identify the potential sources of heavy metals in fishing port sediments. Results showed that Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cr contents in the sediments of the inner fishing port (averages of 276, 742, 113, and 221 mg/kg, respectively) were 3–5 times greater compared to those along the port entrance and outside, indicating the strong impacts of anthropogenic pollution (EFCu: 5.6–12.5; EFZn: 2.8–4.3; EFPb: 2.4–5.4; EFCr: 1.1–3.2). Copper pollution was more severe, with high maxima contamination factor (CFCu: 15.1–24.8), probably contributed by copper-based antifouling paints used in fishing vessels. The sediments in the inner fishing port are categorized as having considerable ecological risk and toxicity (mERMq: 0.61–0.91; ΣTU: 7.5–11.7) that can potentially cause adverse effects on benthic organisms. Qianzhen Fishing Port sediments can be characterized as high Cu/Fe and Pb/Fe, moderate Zn/Fe, and high total grease content, indicating that the potential sources of heavy metals are primarily antifouling paints and oil spills from the fishing vessels. This study provides valuable data for pollution control, remediation, and environmental management of fishing ports.

Assessment of Water Quality and Sediment Pollution in Gap Stream

Five sampling sites at the Gap Stream, a major tributary flowing into the Geum River, were classified according to their locations on the left or right banks of the latter; this was to allow an assessment of the pollution level in the river. To this end, the water quality and the sediments were examined twice -in the first and the second half of the year and before and after the rainy season. In terms of water quality, the concentration of nutrients increased during the second half of the testing period at sites G3 to G5, which are located just before the confluence of the stream and the river. The assessment results also showed that site G5-R required particular attention because of water pollution due to a frequent inflow of contaminants via surface sediments, in the second half of the study period after rainfall, when the WQI(Water Quality Index) was applied. In terms of the sediments, there was no site corresponding to Class IV or “heavily polluted”, according to the standards of the National Academy of Environmental Research. However, in the first half of the year, sites G4 and G5 on the left bank were polluted at LEL-SEL levels, which, according to the Ontario standards and the Org-Index assessment, indicated that they were “moderately polluted” or worse, indicating a concern regarding pollution from organic matter and nutrients. Key Words: Gap Stream, Sediment, Geum River, WQI-Index, Organic-Index

Assessment of heavy metals in sediments of the Parnaíba River Delta in the semi-arid coast of Brazil

Studies related to heavy metal concentrations in coastal sediments are important to monitor and assess environmental health of estuarine ecosystems. Twenty-eight samples from Parnaiba River Delta, the largest open-ocean delta in the Americas, northeastern of Brazil were tested for heavy metals concentrations (Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn, Al and Fe), grain-size and easily oxidizable carbon. The relations of the heavy metals with sediment composition were evaluated using a multivariate statistical analysis. Sediment pollution assessment was carried out by enrichment factor (EF), geoaccumulation index (Igeo), contamination factor (CF) and potential ecological risk index (PERI). The average concentrations were 0.50 ± 0.09 mg Cd kg−1, 6.95 ± 2.13 mg Pb kg−1, 19.02 ± 8.75 mg Cu kg−1, 23.20 ± 5.04 mg Ni kg−1, 33.52 ± 6.82 mg Cr kg−1, 43.99 ± 7.47 mg Zn kg−1, 165.73 ± 86.71 mg Mn kg−1, 2.93 ± 0.89% to Fe and 3.78 ± 1.17% to Al. The results indicate lower concentrations of heavy metals relative to limit concentrations defined by the Brazilian regulatory framework. The multivariate analysis reflected the binding of heavy metals to clay minerals and organic carbon. The different geochemical indices indicated sediments minimally enriched by metals and a low potential ecological risk level. Our assessment confirms the pristine conditions of Parnaiba Delta protected area to heavy metal contamination, except Igaracu channel near Parnaiba city.

Use of benthic foraminifera as a proxy for monitoring heavy metal pollution in the Swarnamukhi estuary, southeast coast of India

Benthic foraminiferal assemblages were surveyed as potential indicators of heavy metal pollution of sediments from Swarnamukhi estuary, southeast India. Grain size analysis indicated that the sediments were deposited under low energy conditions. Results of assessment by factor analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis showed relations among the heavy metals. The sediment pollution assessment was carried out using the Enrichment Factor (EF), and Pollution Load Index (PLI). The results showed significant seasonal variation in heavy metal concentrations, and several metals (e.g. Fe, Cr, Zn, Pb and Cd) had high abundance in the sediments. A total of 53 benthic foraminiferal species belonging to 20 genera and 3 suborders were recorded in the sediments. The effect of heavy metal pollution on foraminifera's species diversity was assessed. The assemblage changes and test abnormalities in foraminiferal species appeared to be proxies for evaluating environmental stresses. • Distribution and mobility of heavy metals in sediments collected from Swarnamukhi estuary were assessed. • A total of 53 species, 20 genera and 3 suborders according to their distribution was summarized. • Benthic foraminifera was used as a bio-indicator to evaluate the heavy metal pollution from the study area. • Benthic foraminiferal species and shell abnormalities were identified.

Metallic trace elements contained in the sediments of Dayet Er-Roumi Lake (Morocco)

The contamination of aquatic ecosystems with metals remains a serious environmental problem of growing concern. Sediments are often studied as reservoirs or wells for many chemical pollutants. They are micropollutant traps; they also indicate the watercourse's historical pollution, lagoons, and lakes…Lake Dayet Er-Roumi (SIBE) is the only permanent natural lake in the Khemisset region (Morocco); this wetland is affected by several forms of pollution that are mainly linked to human activities (agricultural, domestic, industrial, etc.). The objective of our study is to contribute, through qualitative and quantitative analysis, to the assessment of lake sediment pollution by Spatio-temporal monitoring of certain toxic heavy metals such as Mn, Zn, Cr, Cd. These sediments are collected on the level of the lake's surface; the concentration of heavy metals was measured by microwave plasma atomic emission spectroscope (MP-AES). Metal analyses carried out at three measuring points during the winter season reveal a high concentration of Zn, Cr, and Mn at all stations during the winter season, which far exceeds the recommended standards, with a low level of Cd. The contamination factor "FC" and the degree of contamination "DC" reveal polymetallic contaminations dominated by two elements, zinc, and Chromium, which are the most worrying. These results clearly show that lake Dayet Er-Roumi is polluted; strategies to limit the lake's pollution must be implemented to avoid several ecological problems (fish mortality, etc.).

A grain-size correction for metal pollution indexes in river sediments

According to the List of Hazardous Substances of the Agency of the Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR 2017), some metallic elements such as Pb or Cd are still considered as the most polluting elements in the world. These elements accumulate in sediments, and there are various methods available that differentiate lithogenic sources from anthropogenic sources. For that, the natural geochemical background is required, however, its definition is far from unanimous: it can be a global or local value, single or statistically estimated value, depending on the studies. Our study is focused on the Subaé River in the state of Bahia, Northeastern Brazil, which was historically contaminated by lead metallurgy. The river sediments were sampled at 21 locations: one at the discharge point of the plant's rainwater basin, ten upstream, and ten downstream. The total contents of Fe, Ti, Mn, Pb, Zn, Cu, Cr, particle-size distribution, and organic matter were analyzed. The conventional geochemical indexes, i.e., the pollution degree (mCd), pollution load index, and enrichment factor indicated contamination by Zn, Pb, Cr, and Cu. Then, a new enrichment factor is introduced, assuming that the sediments come from erosion of soils in the watershed. After obtaining the natural concentrations of metals in the clay, silt, and sand fractions of uncontaminated reference soils, we corrected the pollution indexes by calculating a new individual background in each sediment sample, according to its grain size distribution. This new approach provided more precise indexes in the assessment of sediment pollution, by highlighting higher contamination of Zn and Pb (around 50%) and at the same time the absence of Cr and Cu contamination, two metals not involved with the metallurgical activity.

Heavy Metalspatial Distribution and Pollution Assessment in the Surface Sediments of the North � Western Black Sea Shelf

22 surface sediment samples were collected in August 2018 from the Romanian inner shelf (Nord-Western Black Sea). Concentrations of some metals (Al, Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn, As, Pb, and Hg), TOC content, and grain size of sediment samples were determined by specific techniques. The order of accumulation of heavy metals was Zn]Cr]Ni]Cu]Pb]As]Hg. Multivariate analysis indicated that As, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb, and Hg concentrations had similar behavior and they were positively correlated with the clay content, whereas Al and Cr concentrations presented close patterns and they were negatively correlated with the water depth. Sediment pollution assessment indices (enrichment factor, contamination factor, and geo-accumulation index) suggested no/low pollution for most of the metals analyzed, excepting for Pb and Hg (moderate pollution). Values of pollution indices highlighted a higher sediment pollution with Pb and Hg along the Danube�s plume direction, in the oil platform area (eastern edge of the Portita Bay), and partially in the Constanta and Mangalia area, suggesting the influence of port activities, tourism, urban wastewater discharges, oil and gas extraction.

Sediment pollution and nitrogen release at the sediment‐water interface in Changjiang River and its tributary, the lower Han River Basin

AbstractSurface and core sediments were investigated in the lower Han River Basin, a tributary of Changjiang River in China to evaluate the nitrogen (N) pollution of sediments and N fluxes as well as their influencing factors at the sediment‐water interface. Two methods of sediment pollution assessment were applied and the results showed that the sediment at site H9 was the most contaminated and that at site H4 and H7 was almost unpolluted. pH was significantly and positively correlated with total nitrogen (TN) content and flux (P < 0.05), indicating that N fluxes could be related to environmental factors. was generally from out of the sediment and into water, while diffused into sediment from water at some sites. Overall, the N fluxes were extremely high, revealing the considerable risk in internal N release. It is of great importance to strengthen the ecological restoration and control the internal N release.

Risk and Toxicity Assessments of Heavy Metals in Tympanotonus fuscatus and Sediments from Iko River, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

This study evaluates the physico-chemical parameters and heavy metals in water, sediments and Tympanotonus fuscatus obtained from three sample sites along Iko River in Eastern Obolo LGA, AkwaIbom State. The heavy metal analysis results on Pb, Cd and Ni in sediments and Tympanotonus fuscatus were used to estimate the human health and ecological risk assessment of the study area. The human health risk assessment tools utilized in this study were estimated dietary intake (EDI), total hazard quotient (THQ) and hazard index (HI) while sediment pollution parameters evaluated were contamination factor (CF), contamination degree (CD), pollution load index (PLI) and geoaccumulation index (Igeo). Results obtained showed that EDI of Cd in periwinkle in the study sites ranged from 0.2 – 6.4 µg/kg-bw/day and exceeded the provisional tolerable dietary intake (PTDI), while EDI for Pb (0.0004 – 2.6 µg/kg-bw/day) and Ni (0.32 – 2 µg/kg-bw/day) was within the limit for all sites, except Ni in site II (34 µg/kg-bw/day) which was higher than the PTDI of 5 µg/kg-bw/day. The THQ of Cd in all sites was greater than 1, while Pb and Ni generally recorded THQ < 1. The hazard index (HI) was as follows: site I (2.36), sites II (24.44) and site III (6.5), highlighting a potential hazardous effect to humans as a result of the consumption of Tympanotonus fuscatus obtained from site II and III. The sediment pollution assessment revealed that the contamination factor (CF) and geoaccumulation index, Igeo of Cd were far above the permissible limits while Pb and Ni were mostly within limits. The estimated contamination degree (CD) and pollution load index (PLI) showed a high degree of pollution, which can be mainly attributed to the high degree of Cd contamination in the sediment. Therefore, the area under investigation is highly polluted and the periwinkle obtained from Iko river in the study area is unfit for human consumption.

Heavy metals in sediments of two nearby streams from Southeastern Black Sea coast: Contamination and ecological risk assessment

Heavy metal pollution in the sediments of Çalışlar and Akçaova Streams may expose hazardous risk to environment and public health through food chain in Ordu province of southeastern Black Sea region of Turkey. The enrichment and distributions of the heavy metals in the sediments of these two streams demonstrated a decreasing trend in the mean heavy metal toxic levels in mg kg−1 as follows Fe (8135.27) > Mn (272.56) > Zn (25.68) > Cu (13.03) > Co (5.13) > Pb (3.74) > Ni (3.62) > Cr (3.52) > Cd (0.005) in Çalışlar Stream and Fe (9939.12) > Mn (286.97) > Zn (24.24) > Cu (19.31) > Ni (10.95) > Co (6.2) > Cr (4.90) > Pb (3.97) > Cd (0.09) > Ag (0.07) in Akçaova Stream, respectively. The sum of the toxic units of Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu in both streams were significantly higher. The assessment of sediment pollution was carried out using multivariate statistical approaches and indices such as enrichment factor (EF), contamination factor (CF), geoaccumulation index (Igeo), and potential ecological risk factor (Eri). The results of the cluster analysis in both streams showed that Co, Pb, and Cr were mainly associated with natural sources. EF values indicated that the average concentration of all metals from both streams were lower than potential effect levels with the exception of Cu, and Ag in Akçaova Stream. Relatively low levels of pollution indicators in Çalışlar Stream pointed out no environmental contamination and suggested that metal contamination sourced most likely from the naturally present minerals in the area. Akçaova Stream sediments were moderately contaminated with Cu (EF > 2), and significantly contaminated with Ag (EF = 5 − 20) according to the average EF values attributable to anthropogenic activities.

Pollution characteristics and risk assessment of surface sediments in nine plateau lakes of Yunnan Province

Sediment is the indicator of nutrient and heavy metal pollution in water environment, which can obviously reflect the pollution state in lakes. This paper reviews the literature of surface sediment pollution assessment of nine plateau lakes (Dianchi Lake, Erhai Lake, Fuxian Lake, Qilu Lake, Lugu Lake, Yangzonghai Lake, Yilong Lake, Xingyun Lake and Chenghai Lake) in Yunnan Province in the past ten years. TN (TN), total phosphorus (TP), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), arsenic (As), mercury (Hg) are selected. As an evaluation index, the average contents in surface sediments of nine plateau lakes were 3517.53 mg/kg, 1826.86 mg/kg, 72.52 mg/kg, 215.43 mg/kg, 39.51 mg/kg, 69.66 mg/kg, 1.31 mg/kg, 43.83 mg/kg, 12.77 mg/kg and 0.21 mg/kg, respectively. Nutrient and heavy metals in sediments were evaluated by single pollution index method, ground accumulation index method and potential ecological risk index method. The results showed that nutrient pollution was serious, and the average pollution level was heavy pollution. Eight kinds of heavy metals were in moderate or below the pollution level. Cd and Hg were the main contributing factors in the ecological risk assessment of heavy metals. The correlation analysis shows that the TN pollution in surface sediments of nine plateau lakes is related to the average water depth, recharge coefficient and population density of the lakes.

Determination of heavy metal background concentration in bottom sediment and risk assessment of sediment pollution by heavy metals in the Hrazdan River (Armenia)

The purpose of this study is to determine background concentrations of heavy metals in bottom sediments, as well as to characterize potential danger of heavy metals in bottom sediments of the Hrazdan River. Linear regression method was used to determine background concentrations of metals in bottom sediments. While using this method, the linear regression of determining metal with a comparative element was used: The cobalt was chosen as a relative element, which is conditioned by the absence of significant sources of cobalt in this river. Risk assessment index of Hakanson was calculated for evaluation of bottom sediments contamination by heavy metals. It is obtained that in this part of the Hrazdan River basin potential ecological risk caused from bottom sediments contamination by heavy metals is not high.

Selection of priority management of rivers by assessing heavy metal pollution and ecological risk of surface sediments

This study aimed to select rivers of priority management through the assessment of heavy metal pollution of sediments. We investigated the distribution characteristics of heavy metals in surface sediments of the Nakdong River in South Korea and used various pollution indices to assess pollution risk and identify factors influencing pollution. The kriging method was used to determine heavy metal distribution. The pollution load index, potential ecological risk index, mean PEL quotient, and the Canada Council of Ministers of the Environment sediment quality index were used as sediment pollution assessment methods. The toxicity evaluation was performed on sites that appeared to be contaminated, by applying existing methods for assessing sediment pollution level and the national standards for evaluating the pollution level. The toxicity test was performed on Hyalella azteca, and a methodology for assessing sediment pollution level was proposed. Ecotoxicity was assessed at seven sites that were found to have heavy metal contaminants. The results showed that sites N1, N8, T28, and T29 were not toxic, while T8, T19, and T21 were. Thus, this study shows that high heavy metal pollution does not necessarily lead to a toxic environment. To assess sediment pollution, an additional assessment of toxicity should be made, along with assessments of existing sediment pollution. Our results demonstrate that streams showing high sediment pollution levels should be granted priority in management. The efforts should particularly focus on Cu at T8, Cr at T19, and Hg at T21.

Heavy metal contamination in sediments from vehicle washing: a case study of Olarong Chhu Stream and Paa Chhu River, Bhutan

ABSTRACTHeavy metal contamination owing to anthropogenic activities affects human health and is of worldwide concern. The aim of the study was to investigate the possible linkage between vehicle washing and heavy metal contamination. Heavy metal concentration in sediment samples from vehicle wash wastewater settlement tanks (WSTs) and water bodies (Olarong Chhu and Paa Chhu) used for discharging untreated wastewater was determined with an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. High concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb, Ni and Zn were found in WSTs. Assessment of sediment pollution in water bodies was determined using contamination factor (CF), pollution load index (PLI), geo-accumulation index (Igeo) and enrichment factor (EF); these indices denoted anthropogenic inputs of heavy metals. Significant Pearson correlations between heavy metals in sediments from Olarong Chhu, Paa Chhu and WSTs indicated their common origin. Thus, this study confirms the linkage between vehicle washing and heavy metal contamination. Bhutan’s policy on installation of wastewater treatment plants should be implemented effectively. Bhutan should consider feasible methods for the safe disposal of sludge from WSTs.Abbreviations: Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry - (AAS)

Assessment of heavy metal pollution from the sediment of Tupilipalem Coast, southeast coast of India

Sediment from twelve stations was sampled from the Tupilipalem Coast, southeast coast of India, and the presence of a set of heavy metals was established including iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd). The heavy metals were assessed by factor analysis, the results of which showed positive and/or negative correlations among Fe, Mn, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, and Cd. Factor analysis also indicated that heavy metals in the sediments of the study area have different natural and anthropogenic sources. Similarly, a sediment pollution assessment was done using the Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo), Enrichment Factor (EF), and Pollution Load Index (PLI). The Geoaccumulation Index indicated that the surface sediment of the Tupilipalem Coast was extremely contaminated with Fe, Mn, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn. The calculation of enrichment factors showed a significant enrichment with respect to Pb, Zn, and Cd and a moderate enrichment with Cr, Cu, and Ni. The falling trend of average contents’ enrichment factors is Cd> Pb> Zn> Cu> Cr> Ni> Mn> Fe. The PLI values of the Cd show higher (>1) values due to the influence of distinct external sources like agricultural runoff, industrial activities, and other anthropogenic inputs. Ninety two percent of heavy metals under study showed the highest concentrations at station TP-5 where the Buckingham Canal and other agricultural and aquacultural effluents connect with the Bay of Bengal. This location is the second inlet which is periodically closed and it seemed that these parts of the study area are heavily affected by anthropogenic pollution.