Distribution of Heavy Metals in Mangrove Sediment at the Tha Chin Estuary, Samut Sakhon Province, Thailand

Authors

Supaporn Buajan
Nathsuda Pumijumnong

Publication Date

2010-07-01

Abstract

The concentrations of selected heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn) at a depth of 0-30 cm sediments from 11 stations in a mangrove forest at Bang Ya Praeg, Tha Chin Estuary, Samut Sakhon Province, Thailand were examined. The ranges of heavy metals, in mg kg-1 dry weight (dw), were as follows: Cd (0.035 to 0.070), Cu (7.90 to 21.91), Pb (11.91 to 25.74) and Zn (55.99 to 75.05). The dry season (April 2009) had higher levels of heavy metals than the wet season (August 2009). Heavy metals in the study area had the following order of prevalence: Zn > Pb > Cu > Cd. A significant relationship was observed between heavy metals and the chemical and physical properties of the sediment, indicating that complexation with organic materials may play an important role in the distribution patterns of these metals. Analyses of the metals in various grain-size fractions revealed that the finest fraction had significant relationship with heavy metal content, especially that of Cd and Zn.

First Page

61

Last Page

77

Recommended Citation

Buajan, Supaporn and Pumijumnong, Nathsuda (2010) "Distribution of Heavy Metals in Mangrove Sediment at the Tha Chin Estuary, Samut Sakhon Province, Thailand," Applied Environmental Research: Vol. 32: No. 2, Article 6.
Available at: https://digital.car.chula.ac.th/aer/vol32/iss2/6