Distribution and ecological risk assessment of heavy metals using geochemical normalization factors in the aquatic sediments.

Thamirabharani river acquires a noticeable quantity of sewage and agriculture waste from local inhabitants. The distribution of heavy metals in the surface sediments of the Thamirabharani river was analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma- Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) to study the ecological risks. The heavy metal concentrations in the sediments ranged from 0.098 ± 0.03(Cd) to 159.181 ± 13.36 mg kg (Fe). The Cd, Zn, Ni, Fe, and Mn concentrations in the sediments were above the US Environmental Protection Agency-Sediment Quality Guidelines. The fact that Cd, Co, and Cu concentrations at sites 4 and 5 exceeded the background values (BGVs) of 0.2, 13, and 32 mg kg suggests anthropogenic activity, notably in the downstream of the river. The sediment contaminated with Cd is more evident, particularly in the estuarine region. The potential ecological risk index (150

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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.133708	DOI Listing