Status of heavy metal pollution in the sediment layer in world heritage site: indian sundarban estuarine region

Abstract

Heavy metals are ecologically significant for their toxicity and accumulative behavior. The geoaccumulation index (Igeo) in 12 stations in Indian Sundarbans estuarine region (i.e Kakdwip, Harinbari, Chemaguri, Sagar South, Lothian island, Jambu island, Frasergunge, Gosaba, Chotomollakhali, Bali island, Sajnekhali and Bagmara) was calculated in this article. The degree of sediment pollution was investigated by following the concentration of 3 heavy metals namely copper, lead and cadmium. Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) was used for metal analysis. According to the geoaccumulation index (Igeo) the results of all the 12 stations were analyzed and discussed in detail. In one of the selected stations- Kakdwip Igco value was 3, which signifies strongly contaminated ambient sediment in this area.