Enrichment and geoaccumulation of heavy metals and risk assessment of sediments from coast of Ain Temouchent (Algeria)
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ORIGINAL PAPER
Enrichment and geoaccumulation of heavy metals and risk assessment of sediments from coast of Ain Temouchent (Algeria) Mohamed Kouidri 1 & Nacéra Dali youcef 1 & Imane Benabdellah 1 & Rachida Ghoubali 1 & Assia Bernoussi 1 & Ahmed Lagha 1
Received: 8 April 2015 / Accepted: 8 February 2016 # Saudi Society for Geosciences 2016
Abstract The present study was undertaken for assessing the level of heavy metals such as iron, copper, zinc, lead, and cadmium in surface sediment samples of the coast of Ain Temouchent (north-western of Algeria). Sediment samples were obtained from Zouanif, Rachgoun, Beni saf, and Sidi ali during a period between March 2012 and February 2013. The samples were digested using a mixture of acids and the metal content determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). Heavy metal concentrations in sediments show significant variability and ranges from 16.30 to 32.15 mg/g for Fe, 12.49–31.25 mg/kg for Cu, 120.17– 193.31 mg/kg for Zn, 25.94–57.27 mg/kg for Pb, and 1.45– 16.84 mg/kg for Cd. The results revealed relatively high metallic concentrations of Zn, Pb, and Cd in sediments at the four stations and exceed the background values. The sediment pollution assessments were carried out using a geoaccumulation index (Igeo) and enrichment factor (EF). The results of geoaccumulation index reveal that sediments are uncontaminated with Fe and Cu, uncontaminated to moderately contaminated with Zn and Pb, and moderately contaminated with Cd. The calculation of enrichment factors showed that Cu is depleted, whereas Zn and Pb are moderately and Cd is severely enriched. Metal concentrations were significantly high between stations. Industrial and agricultural activities and a nearby municipal dumpsite were associated with the higher
* Nacéra Dali youcef [email protected]
1
Department of Ecology and Environment, Faculty of Nature and Life Sciences and Earth and Universe Sciences, Laboratory of Valuation of Shares Rights for the Protection of the Environment and Public Health Applications, University of Tlemcen, BP 119, 13000 Tlemcen, Algeria
elemental concentrations particularly at Rachgoun and Beni saf. ANOVA test was used to compare the levels of the metals in different stations (inter-station comparison). Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to investigate the sources affecting surface sediment samples at the stations. Keywords Heavy metals . Sediments . Geoaccumulation index . Enrichment factor . Ain Temouchent . Algeria
Introduction Sediments are widely recognized as a suitable tool for assessing environmental quality, as they reflect and integrate contaminant inputs to the marine environment (Pekey 2006; Alomary and Belhadj 2007; Ennouri et al. 2010; Gargouri et al., 2011; Cukrov et al. 2014; Suresh et al. 2015). Sediments can also act metal reservoirs with the primary exchange modes, being stored by adsorption or precipitation. The ecological impact of metals can be substantial because of their toxicity, persistence, and non-degradability in the environment.
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