Ecotoxicology

Ecotoxicology (2010) 19:405–418
DOI 10.1007/s10646-009-0426-y

Acid leachable trace metals in sediment cores from Sunderban
Mangrove Wetland, India: an approach towards regular
monitoring
M. P. Jonathan • S. K. Sarkar • P. D. Roy •
Md. A. Alam • M. Chatterjee • B. D. Bhattacharya
A. Bhattacharya • K. K. Satpathy

•

Accepted: 26 September 2009 / Published online: 14 October 2009
ÓSpringer Science+Business Media, LLC 2009

Abstract The paper presents the first document to identify the enrichment pattern of acid leachable trace metals
(ALTMs) such as Fe, Mn, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Cd, Co, Mo, Ag,
As and Ba and their relationship with sediment quality
parameters (pH, organic carbon, carbonates and texture) in
core sediments (\63 lm particle size) from Indian Sunderban mangrovewetland, formed at the estuarine phase of
the river Hugli (Ganges). Textural analysis reveals an
overall predominance of mud. The results indicate that the
change in pH values causes coagulation and precipitation
of ALTMs. Fe and Mn have fairly close distribution patterns of enrichment in surface layers which might be
ascribed to early diagnetic processes. The most prominent
feature of ALTMsis the enrichment of Fe, Mn, Cr, Cu, Ni,
Pb, and Ba in the surface–subsurface layers in the sediment
cores, which is mainly attributed to the intense industrial
and agricultural activities as well as drainage of untreated

domestic sewage to this coastal region. The ALTMs also
indicate their association with organic carbon and Fe–Mn
oxyhydroxides. The enrichment is well—supported by thecorrelation, grouping and clustering of ALTMs in statistical analyses. Anthropogenic Factor values indicated
ALTMs enrichment for all trace metals due to intense
anthropogenic activities. Overall higher values of ALTMs
in sediments in comparison to other Indian coastal regions
indicate that they are mainly due to the uncontrolled
anthropogenic activities in this mangrove estuarine complex.Statistical analyses suggest that five ALTMs (Cu, Pb,
As, Mo, Ba) are attached to the organic particles and the
clustering of elements separately also indicates that they
are from external source. The result of the present study
suggests the need for a regular monitoring program which
will help to improve the quality of this potential wetland.
Keywords Acid leachable Á Trace metals Á
Coresediments Á Enrichment Á Sunderban wetland

M. P. Jonathan
Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigaciones y Estudios sobre
´
Medio Ambiente y Desarrollo (CIIEMAD), Instituto Politecnico
Nacional (IPN), Calle 30 de Junio de 1520, Barrio la Laguna
´
´
´
Ticoman, 07340 Del. Gustavo A. Madero, Mexico, D.F., Mexico
S. K. Sarkar (&) Á Md. A. Alam Á M. Chatterjee Á
B. D. Bhattacharya Á A. BhattacharyaDepartment of Marine Science, University of Calcutta,
35 Ballygunge Circular Road, Calcutta 700 019, India
e-mail: sarkar22@yahoo.com; cusarkar@gmail.com
P. D. Roy
´
´
Departamento de Geoquımica, Instituto de Geologıa,
´
´
Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Ciudad
´
´
Universitaria, 04510 Mexico, D.F., Mexico
K. K. Satpathy
Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research,Environmental and
Industrial Safety Section, Kalpakkam 603102, Tamil Nadu, India

Introduction
Trace metals have a great ecological significance due to
their toxicity and tendency to accumulate in both sediment
and biota. These elements are not biodegradable and
undergo a global ecological cycle. Sediments are the
important component of ecosystem in which toxic compounds accumulate through complexphysical and chemical adsorption mechanisms depending on the properties of
the adsorbed compounds and the nature of the sediment
matrix (Ankley et al. 1992; Leivouri 1998; Maher and
Aislabie 1992). Sediment analysis plays an important role
in the assessment of metal contamination in aquatic environment (Borovec 1996; El-Nemr 2003; El-Nemr et al.

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2006; Wardas et al. 1996). The...