Spatial variation of heavy metal accumulation in coastal sea water, east coast of Andhra Pradesh, India

Abstract

The concentration of heavy metal levels (Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Fe, Cr, Mn, Ni and Co) were measured in sea water samples by using Niskin sampler at different depths (10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 mts) and different areas (Visakhapatnam, Rushi konda and Bheemili) with the help of fisherman boats of east coast of Andhra Pradesh, India. Metals are analysed by using ICP-MS (Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry) and statistical analysis were done by using one way ANOVA. Concentrations of Cu range in between 8.03±0.09 and 21.21±0.01 ppm at 40 mts depth of Rushi konda coast and Bheemili coast, Zn levels was observed in the range of 22.05±0.83 and 37.05±0.56 ppm, Cd was found in between 0.51±0.16 and 5.36±0.04 ppm, lead was accumulated from 4.63±1.78 to 17.19±0.15 ppm, Fe accumulated from 28.31±1.47 to 40.86±1.05 ppm, Cr was found in between 6.47±0.28 and 16.82±1.16 ppm, Mn was observed in between 3.29±1.01 and 14.67±2.37 ppm, Ni ranges from 6.18±0.54 to 14.38±1.08 ppm and finally Co was accumulated in between 2.71±0.19 and 8.32±2.31 ppm respectively. The mean values of all the metal accumulation in Visakhapatnam coast is Zn>Fe>Cu>Pb>Ni>Cr>Mn>Co>Cd, Rushi konda coast is Fe>Zn>Cr>Cu>Ni>Mn>Co>Pb>Cd and Bheemili coast is Fe>Zn>Cu>Cr>Mn>Ni>Pb>Co>Cd. Based on the order of accumulation the metal content was more and it results pollution was more in the coastal sea water due to release of industrial wastes and anthropogenic activities.