Determination and investigation of heavy metal concentrations in sediments of the Persian Gulf coasts and evaluation of their potential environmental risk

Abstract

The contamination of coastal sediments with toxic heavy metals caused to a serious concern due to their environmental consequences. The aim of this study was to determine the concentration of heavy metals such as lead (Pb), copper (Cu), nickel(Ni) and manganese (Mn) in the sediments of the Persian Gulf coast in Kangan and Siraf ports in Bushehr province. In this regard, the sampling was performed in 10 stations with different uses in two depths of 0-5 and 5-20 cm along the coast of the Persian Gulf. The concentration of heavy metals was measured after drying, acid digestion and microwave by using flame atomic absorption spectrometry (F-AAS). The results showed that the average concentrations of Mn(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Pb(II) was measured 121.47, 11.51, 11.59 and 5.30 in surface sediments, and 131.59, 10.81, 12.56 and 4.88 µg g-1 in deep sediments. All analysis validated by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ET-AAS).