International Research Journal of Environment Sciences________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414Vol. 2(8), 17-23, August (2013) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. International Science Congress Association 17 Sediment Quality and Seasonal Variation of Trace Metal in Tamirabarani Estuary, East Coast of Tamilnadu, IndiaChandrasekaran A., Mukesh M.V., Anantharaman P., Tamilselvi M., Muthukumarasamy R. and Sabeen H.M.Department of Earth Sciences, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar, Tamilnadu, INDIA Department of Marine Biology, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar Tamilnadu, INDIA Department of Geology, Government College, Kariavattam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, INDIAAvailable online at: www.isca.in Received 14th June 2013, revised 10 July 2013, accepted 20 August 2013 AbstractThe physical parameters and heavy metals along the tributaries of Tamirabarani River are studied. Nearly sixteen water and sediment samples are collected along the tributaries in and around Mukkani and river mouth. Physical parameters like pH (7.8-9.5), Ec, (468-27950), TH (40-5920), TDS (303-33050) and trace metals in sediment samples like Cu(2.2-59.89 g g-1), Ni (1.88-70.59 g g-1),Cr (6.67-145.5 g g-1), Cd (1.41-19.26 g g-1), Pb,(3.48-46.05 g g-1) and zinc (9.3-81.12 g -1). The constant variation of metals in sediment and water samples is due to the linking of industrial and un-classified anthropogenic influences. The combined and collective consequences go in front to a serious risk to the entire estuarine environment. Keywords: Tamirabarani River, river sediments, physical parameters, trace metals, pre monsoon, post monsoon. IntroductionThe river and streams are dynamic ecosystem in which several physical and chemical processes operable,and the suitable sedimentary deposits, which can provide valuable data concerning modern human effects on the geological cycle were studied by various researchers1,2. The metals in the earth are usually taken as the background value of sediments. As per the estimations made, the Indian rivers contribute 30% of sediments transported by World Rivers. The accumulation of trace metals into the environment, which contaminate is a serious problem to the society. So trace metal concentration in sediment can be used to reveal the history and intensity of local and regional pollution5,6. The aim of the present work is to assess the geochemistry of Tamirabarani river sediments to establish the possibility of secondary pollution of the sediments, which is drained with a significant amount of waste containing toxic metals, which help us to determine the effects of heavy metal due to natural and anthropogenic activity, which affects the tributaries and estuaries in Tamirabarani estuarine sediments. Material and Methods Study area: Tamirabarani River originates from western ghat hills in the western part within the study area and confluences in the east coast of Bay of Bengal. Tamirabarani River discharges fall in the part of Thirunelveli and Thoothukudi districts, east coast of Tamilnadu state, India. It lies in the top sheets' Nos. 58 L/2 published by survey of India and located in between 8\r25N and 9\r10N latitudes and 77\r 10 E and 78\r 15’E longitudes figure 1. The study area is blessed with deltaic system with different functioning and inactive distributaries; the western part is dominated by forceful river and tide dominated distributaries are along the coast (figure 2). Sample collection: In the study area, almost sixteen sediment and water, samples were collected at the river mouth, tributaries up to Mukkani. The sampling points were identified and collected from upstream and downstream side within the study area and closely fifteen samples were collected. At each sample distribution point, water and sediment, samples are collected in clean rinsed polyethylene bottles. The physical parameters like pH and temperature water samples are recorded during the field immediately after collection. Sediment samples were collected with Eckman grab sampler at each point. Sediment samples were wrapped with polythene bags, kept on ice and subsequently, transported to the laboratory. Physico-chemical parameters: A pre-calibrated portable multi parameter kit PC TESTER 35(Multi-Parameter) was used for pH, Temperature and Electrical Conductivity (EC) measurements. Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) were estimated according to the suggested standard analytical methods. Total Hardness was determined by titrating water samples with typical EDTA titrant with Eriochrome black-T as an indicator according to standard methods table-1. In the laboratory, the collected samples were deep frozen at -4 to avoid soil contamination and dried in a hot-air oven at 40C, and after homogenization dry sieved with a 200mm sieve. The sieved samples are weighed and stored in polyethylene bags for further analysis9,10. The samples were digested before the samples were subjected for analysis to the determination of trace metals using AAS with specific flame and wavelength Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (Elico) by using a series of solution over the range 2-10mg/l. table2. International Research Journal of Environment Sciences______________________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414 Vol. 2(8), 17-23, August (2013) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. International Science Congress Association 18 Figure-1 Location map of study area Figure-2 Showing sampling points along the study area International Research Journal of Environment Sciences______________________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414 Vol. 2(8), 17-23, August (2013) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. International Science Congress Association 19 Results and Discussion Physical parameter of the study like pH varied from 8.1- 9.5 and 7.8-9.5 during pre-monsoon and post-monsoon periods. The pH values of both monsoons were not within the desirable limit of BIS and WHO drinking water standards11-13. It is said that river waters with a pH of 5.5 and below are particularly at risk and mostly the pH was determined by the amount of dissolved carbon dioxide, which forms carbonic acid in water and also by organic acids from decaying vegetation and the dissolution of sulphide minerals14-18. In the present study, pH was considerably slightly higher in Tamirabarani river water, which may be due to greater input of effluents from different types of industries. EC values of the study area ranged from 468-16250 and 585-27950 in pre-monsoon and post-monsoon period, which indicate the presence of more salts in river water19,20. Total dissolved solids (TDS) in the study area are comparatively more during pre-monsoon and post-monsoon period, values range between 303-33050 and 380-18160. It is due to the industrial, domestic waste dumped and discharges into the river water ecosystem. Total hardness (TH) in the study area ranges from 40-3540 and 280-5920 during pre-monsoon and post-monsoon period is said to be more, which may be due to increase of salt in water figure-3. The absorption of heavy metals in sediment samples is systematically given as copper (2.2-59.89 g g-1), Nickel (1.88ppm-70.59 g g-1), cadmium (1.41-19.26 g g-1), lead (3.48-46.05 g g-1) and zinc (9.3-81.12 g g-1) respectively. The above analysed heavy metals show higher concentration, than reported in Gulf of Mannar21, but reported nil account of accretion of Cd, Ni, Pb and low concentration of Cu, (19.8), Zn (30.8) nearby the study area22 (figure-4). During the post monsoon period observed higher concentration of Cu, Ni, Cd, Pb is due to industrial wastage and sometimes due to anthropogenic activities. The chromium concentrations observed during the pre monsoon period is elevated due to anthropogenic activities, because it not originated from lithogenic sources. The concentration Cr ranges between (6.67-145.5 g g-1), the concentration is higher than the value reported in Gulf of Mannar21 and Cd is reported absent from the study area22. After a long period of more than fourteen years, the gradual increase of Cd concentration is found within the study area, which indicate the study area is polluted. These metals are the major pollutants into the river; several of these elements are highly hazardous to the aquatic life and human's beings. Basically, these elements are not biodegraded and live for a long time in the environment23. Table-1 Comparison of pH, EC, TH and TDS values pre monsoon and post monsoon period S.No Pre monsoon Post monsoon PH EC TH TDS PH EC TH TDS 1 8.6 468 60 370 8.2 18865 4886 11319 2 8.4 2470 630 1950 8.4 12925 2722 8401 3 8.2 3120 650 2300 7.91 22642 5920 14717 4 8.75 1560 340 1230 8.8 17569 4052 11419 5 8.1 16250 3540 33050 8.3 14311 2614 9302 6 9.5 1300 50 1026 9.5 1010 940 656 7 8.7 2275 390 1500 8.8 14300 2400 9295 8 9.3 2210 100 1745 9.01 940 890 611 9 8.5 2275 230 1800 8.8 19500 4080 12675 10 9.4 1040 40 821 9.2 27950 5920 18167 11 8.8 384 60 303 8.84 18850 2800 12252 12 8.3 2340 360 1847 8.34 4420 560 2873 13 8.85 1820 740 1438 8.59 1564 1998 1016 14 8.1 2210 630 1750 7.8 12842 2896 8347 15 8.6 559 210 440 8.1 14899 4012 9684 International Research Journal of Environment Sciences______________________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414 Vol. 2(8), 17-23, August (2013) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. International Science Congress Association 20 Table-2 Comparison of heavy metal concentration during pre monsoon and post monsoon period (in g g-1) S.No Pre-monsoon Post-monsoon Cu Ni Cr Pb Zn Cd Cu Ni Cr Pb Zn Cd 1 2.2 ND 58.6 10.43 18.6 4.21 ND ND 31.85 16.36 66.23 7.43 2 3.92 7.83 ND 12.93 9.3 4.92 33.6 14.18 8.88 24.24 19.79 19.26 3 3.74 ND 94.5 ND ND 1.42 30.68 4..00 ND 42.42 24.66 19.15 4 5.44 ND ND 5.26 20.27 2.81 37.98 70.59 7.4 13.33 38.65 13.33 5 15.85 ND ND ND 29.17 1.45 32.14 21.17 ND 15.75 42.39 5.92 6 13.86 15.2 112.3 ND 24.1 4.22 18.99 ND ND ND 81.12 11.11 7 9.78 11.8 ND ND 12.66 2.88 ND 21.47 ND ND ND 10.37 8 2.18 ND 58.3 ND 74 1.41 40.9 6.58 ND 21.81 38.61 11.85 9 15.84 ND 120.4 3.48 30 2.11 ND 4.23 7.45 7.27 38.29 2.22 10 7.92 ND 103.3 ND 16.07 1.46 17.53 ND 6.67 3.02 ND 8.15 11 ND 11.9 145.5 5.36 39.74 2.88 ND 2.35 ND 46.05 48.67 14.07 12 17.82 12.5 ND 8.57 30.86 2.78 59.89 2.58 ND 4.84 17.84 2.25 13 10.85 ND ND ND 16.1 2.9 29.22 9.41 8.15 27.26 29.85 10.39 14 10.78 ND ND ND 47.77 2.22 11.69 ND ND ND ND 7.4 15 ND ND 84.4 6.96 26.63 1.48 ND 1.88 ND ND 61.65 6.66 Table-3 Trace elements concentration in coastal sediments of the world 7, 21Location Fe Mn Cu Cr Co Cd Ni Pb Zn Boston Harbor 2437 500NA112231.5NANA34.7135176 Tokyo Bay 25 37 700 1098 53.47 77.3 NA 0.99 32.63 50.68 322 Pichavaram 26 32 482 701 32 141.2 NA 6.96 62 11.2 89 Pichavaram 27 24 998 801 132.3 617 NA 34.74 252.1 143.8 106 Gulf of Manna r22 5756 128.4 19.8 NA NA NA NA NA 30.8 Gulf of Mannar 21 12 600 305 57 177 15 0.16 24 16 73 Bay of Bengal 28 39 000 529 26 84 NA NA 64 NA NA South East Coast 29 27 200 373 506.2 194.8 8.1 6.58 38.61 32.36 126.8 Palk Bay 30 NA NA 10.6 NA NA 4.4 NA 44.1 17.7 Palk Bay 31 3536.7 578.33 16.67 NA NA NA NA NA 40 Pondicherry 32 NA NA 34.59 NA 28.93 7.31 33.51 NA 104.6 East Coast Estuarine 33 28 000 777 NA 318 12 NA 582 11 125 Krishna Estuary 34 NA 6978 69 174 NA NA 149 4 1482 Vellar Estuary 35 1511 2156.5 36.5 NA NA NA NA NA 133.5 Pre monsoon (Present study) - - 17.82 145.5 - 4.92 15.2 12.93 74 Post monsoon (Present study) - - 59.89 31.85 - 19.26 70.59 46.05 81.12 (All parameters in ppm) International Research Journal of Environment Sciences______________________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414 Vol. 2(8), 17-23, August (2013) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. International Science Congress Association 21 Figure-3 Line diagram showing pH, EC, TH and TDS values of pre monsoon and post monsoon period         PH Post-monsoon Pre-monsoon         Mg/LEC \n \r  \n \r  100020003000400050006000700013579111315Mg/LTH Pre-monsoon Post-monsoon 500010000150002000025000300003500013579111315Mg/LTDS Pre-monsoon Post-monsoon Pre-monsoonPost-monsoong g-1LocationCu Pre-monsoonPost-monsoong g-1Location Pre-monsoonPost-monsoong g-1 LocationCr Pre-monsoonPost-monsoong g-1 LocationPb International Research Journal of Environment Sciences______________________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414 Vol. 2(8), 17-23, August (2013) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. International Science Congress Association 22 Figure-4 Bar diagram showing metal concentration during pre monsoon and post monsoon Conclusion In the present study, sediment analysis was made for the assessment and variation of pollution in different season by analyzing physical and heavy metals to quantify the present-day status of pollution in Tamirabarani River, as well as the fate of those heavy metals, which are important environmental scientific issues. The current study displays useful outfit method and index for the evaluation of sediment contamination, which show the way to safeguard the serious hazard to estuarine environment. Geochemical analysis of sixteen samples shows a higher proportion of pH, TDS, EC, TH which is due to the various sources of input of industrial effluents, which contaminates the sediments of river ecosystems. Heavy metals, especially Cu, Ni, Cr, Pb which can contaminate the sediments and reported higher amount during the post monsoon than the limits reported previously Cr concentration is high during the pre monsoon which is more than recorded values. The ultimate sink of heavy metals in the aquatic systems indicates that rivers are critically contaminated with respect to heavy metals and therefore, pose serious environmental distress. The prime sources are abandoned metal parts and effluents from industrial and commercial activities such as fishing (nets, hooks, etc.) shipping, and outboard engine boats influenced the levels of metals along the river, while domestic activities such as runoff, tidal and wave actions influenced the metal levels along the Tamirabarani River. The area is contaminated with heavy metals and requires a creation of awareness, periodic monitoring. 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