Heavy metal distribution in the Godavari River basin

Journal Article · · Environmental Geology and Water Sciences; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01701567· OSTI ID:5640729

Biksham, G ^[1]; Subramanian, V; Ramanathan, A L ^[2]; Van Grieken, R ^[3]

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1. Mineral Exploration Corp., Nagpur (India)
2. Jawaharial Nehru Univ., New Delhi (India)
3. Univ. of Antwerp, Wilrijk (Belgium)

Suspended and bed sediments collected from the entire region of the Godavari River basin were analyzed for Fe, Man, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Zn. There are pronounced temporal and spatial variations in the heavy metal distributions. The concentrations of heavy metals in the suspended sediments are significantly higher than the bed sediments. Throughout the basin heavy metals are enriched in the finer fractions (<2 {mu}m) of the bed sediments. The average heavy-metal composition of the sediments is higher when compared to the average Indian river sediments. Heavy-metal concentration in the two shallow cores collected shows, to some extent, the influence of urbanization. When compared to the other tropical Indian rivers such as the Krishna, the Godavari appears to be a significant contributor of heavy metals to the Bay of Bengal. Considering the enormous sediment load of the Godavari River - 170 million tons/yr, the heavy metal fluxes to the Bay of Bengal is very significant. Except for the Pranhita, other tributaries of the Godavari do not contribute significant loads of heavy metals. All the metals show high correlation among themselves and the correlation is more pronounced in suspended sediments than in the bed sediments. The heavy-metal distribution, fractionation, and its relationship with total suspended sediments and depth in various parts of the basin are discussed in detail.

• OSTI ID: 5640729
• Journal Information: Environmental Geology and Water Sciences; (United States), Journal Name: Environmental Geology and Water Sciences; (United States) Vol. 17:2; ISSN EGWSE; ISSN 0177-5146
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540320* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring &amp; Transport-- (1990-)
ASIA
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
GEOCHEMICAL SURVEYS
INDIA
METALS
RIVERS
SAMPLING
SEDIMENTS
STREAMS
SURFACE WATERS
SURVEYS
WATER QUALITY