Behaviour and Distribution Patterns of Particulate Metals in Estuarine and Coastal Surface Waters near Mangalore, Southwest Coast of India
Subscribe/Renew Journal
Suspended particulate matter (SPM) from the estuarine and coastal environments have higher Cu, Pb and Zn (by factors of 1.5-2.7) than the Netravati-Gurpur riverine SPM, indicating enrichment of these metals with increasing salinity. In contrast, Al, Fe, Mn, Co and Ni contents and the corresponding metaltal ratios are marginally lower (by factors of 1.1 - 1.5) than those for riverine SPM, suggesting not only a decrease of terrigenous influx seaward, but also removal of trace metals from the particulate phase. R-mode factor analysis of the data has shown that detrital particles (with Fe oxide coating), clays and Mn-oxide are the major factors that control particulate metal association. Factor score distribution patterns suggest that detrital particles coated with Fe oxide are deposited in the estuary and nearshore region, whereas clays and Mn-oxide seem to be transported further into the coastal sea. Copper, Pb and Zn show an anomalous behaviour and are negatively loaded on all the three major factors.
Keywords
Abstract Views: 231
PDF Views: 2