Sediment Heavy Metal Contaminants in Vasai Creek Of Mumbai: Pollution Impacts

In the present investigation, quantification study of different toxic heavy metals in the sediment samples of Vasai Creek of Mumbai was performed using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy technique. The study is of importance because such assessment of heavy metals in sediments helps to understand long term pollution load in aquatic environment. Such study will also help to provide a means for evaluating the long term accumulation of heavy metal contaminants. The results of the study indicates that the concentration level of most of the toxic heavy metals like Al, As, Cd, Cr, Hg, Ni, Pb, Sr and Mn for the assessment year 2010-11 were higher than that obtained for the year 2009-10 by the factor of 1.0 to 2.5 µg/g. It is expected that results of present investigation will help in rational planning of pollution control strategies so as to reduce the toxicity impact on marine life of Vasai Creek.