अमूर्त

Analysis and Seasonal Variation of Heavy Metals in Water and Sediment from Adyar Estuary.

Sophia S*, MC John Milton and Prakash M

Levels of heavy metal pollution in coastal environment are increasing continuously due to human activities and various studies have been conducted. The main objective of this study was to determine the selective physico-chemical properties of water, heavy metal concentration (As, Pb and Hg) and its seasonal variation in water and sediment sample collected from Adyar estuary located in Chennai, Tamilnadu state, India. The results revealed that the heavy metal concentration was higher during pre-monsoon season in water and the order of concentration Pb>As>Hg. In sediment sample the concentration of Pb and As was higher during Pre-monsoon and Hg was higher during monsoon season, the order of accumulation was Pb>As>Hg. The result shows that the physico-chemical properties were higher during monsoon, however the results were within the permissible level recommended by EPA.