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Risk assessment of heavy metal contamination in sediments of a tropical lake

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Abstract

The risk assessment of heavy metal contamination was carried out in sediments of an urban tropical lake system (Akkulam-Veli) under threat from rapid unplanned urbanization and poor sewage management. Heavy metals were selected due to their persistent and bioaccumulative nature. Sequential extraction of the metals was carried out to resolve the sediments to their component phases. Well-established models were employed for risk analysis. The two pathways of contamination—ingestion and dermal contact—were considered for assessing risk. Risk Assessment Code of each metal was determined based on the lability of it in the different component phases. Cd was found to be the most hazardous metal by virtue of its high concentration in exchangeable and carbonate phases. Hazard indices of the metals were determined based on their total concentration in Akkulam-Veli (AV) Lake sediments. All heavy metals studied fall well below the threshold limit. However, Cr, Pb, and As, on account of their known toxicity, need to be monitored. Ni content in the lake system could potentially cause cancer to 134 adults in a population of one million. Concentrations of other metals are at carcinogenically safe limits. The study stresses the looming hazard faced by the Akkulam-Veli Lake system by heavy metal contaminants and the urgency in formulating remedial management plans.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank the Director, Centre for Earth Science Studies (CESS), Thiruvananthapuram, and the Sophisticated Test and Instrumentation Centre, Cochin University of Science and Technology, CUSAT, Kochi, for extending laboratory facilities. The first author greatly acknowledges the financial assistance from the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE), Government of Kerala, India

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Environmental Engineering Division, Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, Trivandrum, Kerala, 695 016, India

    K. Swarnalatha

  2. Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kochi, Kerala, 695 023, India

    J. Letha

  3. TKM College of Engineering, Kollam, Kerala, 691 005, India

    S. Ayoob

  4. Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, Trivandrum, Kerala, 695 016, India

    Ajith G. Nair

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  1. K. Swarnalatha
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Correspondence to K. Swarnalatha.

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Swarnalatha, K., Letha, J., Ayoob, S. et al. Risk assessment of heavy metal contamination in sediments of a tropical lake. Environ Monit Assess 187, 322 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-015-4558-7

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