Assessment of Trace Metals Accumulation in Water and Surface Sediments of Chabahar Bay, Makran

In this study the levels of trace metals in surface water and sediments, water physical characteristics (temperature, salinity and pH), water organic carbon (OC%), sediment organic matter (OM %) as well as sediment grain size distribution throughout the nine stations of Chabahar Bay were measured to assess as a consequence of natural and anthropogenic sources. The analyzed elements were arsenic (As), Barium (Ba), Iron (Fe), mercury (Hg), Potassium (K), lithium (Li), magnesium (Mg), Manganese (Mn), tin (Sn), strontium (Sr), thallium (Tl) and uranium (U). The samplings were performed from 3.8 to 13.6 m depths of Tiss, Konarak, Desalination Plant, Entrance of Chabahar Bay, Posm and Ramin during April 2012 (Pre-Monson). Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry inductively (ICP-MS) was used to detect element levels. Sediment samples were exposed to wet sieving and Laser Particle Sizing determination. Tin, lithium, potassium magnesium and ironlevels were higher in the Konarakthan other stations. Duetothehighpercentage of clayin coastal parts of Konarak, transferring pollutionof desalination plants bywater flow canbe considereda threatin the future.