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Assessment of heavy metal toxicity levels in surface sediments of Sorkhankol wildlife refuge
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Forough Jalil Nejad Masouleh   , Mohsen Mohammadi Galangash * |
| Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Guilan, Guilan, Iran , m_mohammadi@guilan.ac.ir |
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Abstract: (122 Views) |
Background and Aim: Assessing the quality of wetland ecosystem substrates as habitats for benthic organisms is crucial in ecological studies. In this study, the concentration of heavy metals in the surface sediments of Sorkhankol was investigated. The study area is located in the central part of Anzali Wetland, in the southwestern Caspian Sea.
Methods: Sampling operations were conducted at nine stations in the spring of 2020. After initial preparation and acid digestion, the samples were analyzed using an atomic absorption spectrometer.
Results: The average concentration of metals in sediment samples followed the order: Cadmium > Lead > Chromium > Zinc. The highest positive and significant correlation was observed between zinc and chromium, as well as between cadmium and lead. PCA analysis indicated that among the principal components, the first component was positively and significantly associated with lead and cadmium, while the second component was linked to zinc and chromium. In cluster analysis, cadmium, lead, and chromium were grouped together, whereas zinc formed a separate cluster. The results of PLI, EF, and RI index calculations for the four studied metals indicated a non-contaminated status of the sediments.
Conclusion: Although the results of this study are satisfactory, due to the ecological sensitivity and value of this habitat, continued research on this ecosystem is essential. |
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| Keywords: Toxicity, Heavy metals, Sediments, Wildlife refuge |
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Full-Text [PDF 501 kb]
(43 Downloads)
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Type of Study: Original Article |
Subject:
Marine Medicine
Received: 2024/09/3 | Accepted: 2025/01/29 | Published: 2025/02/28
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