ASSESSMENT OF HEAVY METAL CONCENTRATIONS IN SURFACE SEDIMENTS OF COLEROON ESTUARY OF TAMILNADU, EAST COAST OF INDIA

The abundance and distribution of the metals through the analyses of selected metals (iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), Lead (Pb), copper (Cu), cobalt (Co) and nickel (Ni). Totally 20 surface sediments were collected in Coleroon river estuary (each season 10 samples) during monsoon and summer seasons of the year 2010, the samples were collected from mouth, estuary and freshwater zones of the river. The results of present study reveals that the study periods higher levels of metal concentration were observed in estuarine region were as lower levels were observed at mouth and freshwater zones. This study illustrates the usefulness of method for estimating pollution impact such as degree of contamination, enrichment factor and geo accumulation index for evaluation and interpretation of the heavy metal concentrations in surface sediments of Coleroon estuary. The Enrichment and contamination factor, geoaccumulation index shows that Zn, Pb and Cu unpolluted to moderately pollute the sediments. The present study indicates that other sources should be evaluated in the long-term monitoring program.