Contamination level of Gavbandi River mouth distributeries based on sediment quality guidelines

Bassatin and Assaluyeh estuaries are distributaries of Gavbandi River, Bushehr Province, North of the Persian Gulf. The research objectives were designed to assess levels of contamination and to evaluate the effects of anthropogenic events on the ecological situation. In total, ۱۴۴ sediment samples were tested to find out the concentration of toxic metals using ICP-OES. Ecological risks for human health and aquatic life were estimated by comparing the concentration of toxic metals with standard levels of sediment quality guidelines (TEL and ERM levels). Effects of Gulf War oil spills along the sediment columns of the study area were identified at depths of ۳۵ cm and ۲۹ cm by an increase in the concentration of As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, La, Li, Mn, Ni, Zr, Ti, P, and S. Petrochemical industries have played important role in top ۲۵ cm layers of the sediment column. Further, the concentration of As and Ni exceeded ERM levels at superficial layers.

کلیدواژه ها:

Anthropogenic activities ، Assaluyeh and Bassatin Estuaries ، contamination levels ، Sediment quality ، Toxic metals.