Heavy and Trace Metals in Vembanad Lake Sediments

Abstract

Metal contents viz., Cu, Ni, Co, Zn and Cd in sediment cores recovered from the Vembanad Lake, the largest estuarine-lagoonal system on the west coast of India, were analysed to understand the pollution levels and the impact on the coastal environment. Of the three cores studied, VC-10 shown enrichment in all metals compared to other cores, as it is located in the vicinity of industrial area. Further, all the cores show enrichment of metals in the top 20 cm suggesting the increase of contamination in the recent past. Pollution Load Index increases from the bottom to the top of cores. Interrelationships of metals suggest the similar source for all the metals. The study suggests that industrial effluents are major source of metal enrichment in the lagoonal system.