Use of sequential leaching, mineralogy, morphology and multivariate statistical technique for quantifying metal pollution in highly polluted aquatic sediments—A case study: Brahmani and Nandira Rivers, India

The particle size distribution, geochemical composition and sequential leaching of metals (Fe, Mn, Ni, Cu, Co, Cr, Pb, Zn and Cd) are carried out in core sediments (<88 microm) from the Brahmani and Nandira Rivers, India. To confirm the contamination of downstream sediments by fly ash, mineralogical and morphological characterizations were carried out. High environmental risk of Co, Pb and Ni is due to their higher availability in exchangeable fraction. The metals like Zn, Cu and Mn represent an appreciable portion in the carbonate phase. Metals such as Zn, Pb, Cd, Co and Ni are associated with reducible phase may be due to adsorption. The organic bound Cu, Zn, and Pb seem to be second dominant fraction among non-lithogenous in Nandira sediments. Factor analysis data reveals that textural parameters, Fe-Mn oxy/hydroxides, organic precipitation and coal fly ash disposals, are individually responsible for the enrichment of heavy metals. The relationships among the stations are highlighted by cluster analysis to identify the contamination levels.