Tracing and source fingerprinting of metals from the southern coastal sediments in Bangladesh.
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int
; 31(19): 27846-27863, 2024 Apr.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38519615
ABSTRACT
Trace element pollution from anthropogenic sources is increasingly widespread. This pollution in terrestrial environments threatens agricultural crop production, while in aquatic environments, it threatens fish cultivation. The contamination of these crucial food sources raises significant concerns regarding food safety, security, and its potential adverse effects on human health. Coastal areas are particularly vulnerable to heavy metal pollution due to their proximity to industrial and urban centres, as well as their susceptibility to contamination from marine sources. In attempting to identify the sources of heavy metals (As, Cu, Cr, Cd, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) and measure their contributions, we collected soil samples from thirty sites along the three coastal districts (Patuakhali, Barguna, and Bhola) in Bangladesh. Using atomic absorption spectroscopy, heavy metal concentrations in soil samples were measured and three receptor models (PMF, PCA-MLR, and UNMIX) were applied to detect their sources. Pairwise correlation analysis of metal concentrations in 30 sites across 3 coastal districts showed all possible patterns, including both significant and insignificant positive and negative relationships between different metals, except for As and Hg which did not display any significant relationships with other metals. The concentrations of Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, and Zn exceed the US-EPA sediment quality standard. The applied PCA-MLR, PMF, and UNMIX models identified several sources of heavy metal contamination, including (i) mixed anthropogenic and natural activities contribution of 59%, 37%, and 43%, and (ii) vehicle emissions contribution of 23%, 26% and 29%. The recognized metal sources should be prioritised to avoid the discharge of poisonous pollutants from anthropogenic factors and any possible future exposure. This study's findings have implications for ongoing monitoring and management of heavy metal contamination in coastal environments to mitigate potential health and ecological impacts and can inform policy development and management strategies.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Environmental Monitoring
/
Geologic Sediments
/
Metals, Heavy
Country/Region as subject:
Asia
Language:
En
Journal:
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int
Journal subject:
SAUDE AMBIENTAL
/
TOXICOLOGIA
Year:
2024
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Bangladesh
Country of publication:
Germany