Distribution, risk assessment, and source identification of trace metal pollution along the Babolsar coastal area, Caspian Sea.

The Caspian Sea is exposed to numerous anthropogenic activities such as untreated wastewater discharge and agricultural activities which increased trace metals contamination. The current study was employed to assess the distribution, ecological risk assessment, and source identification of some trace metals in 125 samples of surface sediments and soil from 6 distinctive sections of Babolsar in the coastal line of the Caspian Sea. The sediment quality guidelines (SQGs) and individual risk assessment indices including enrichment factor (EF), geo-accumulation index (I), contamination factor (Cf), and potential risk factor (Er) suggested a hazardous level of Cd and Cr contamination.