Evidences for heavy metal contamination in surface sediments of seagrass ecosystem of Lakshadweep archipelago, India

Surface sediments of nine islands of Lakshadweep were evaluated for their heavy metal concentration (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn). Sediments of thirteen seagrass and seven non seagrass sites were collected randomly and analysed for heavy metal concentration using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometer. Heavy metals like Cu, Ni and Zn were found in higher concentrations in the seagrass sediments, whereas other heavy metals such as Cd, Co, Cr, Fe, Mn and Pb were higher in non seagrass sediments. Different pollution indices were calculated to evaluate contamination level of all heavy metals in the sediments. Cadmium recorded higher contamination factor (1.733–21.067), enrichment factor (276.10–12,270) and Geo-accumulation Index (0.208–3.811) both in seagrass and nonseagrass sediments. Multivariate statistical analysis such as principal component analysis and cluster analysis coupled together with correlation co-efficient was used to identify the possible sources of heavy metal pollution in the region. Average concentrations of Cd in Lakshadweep islands were slightly higher than effective range, low but still below effective range medium. All other metals were still below these ranges indicating fairly uncontaminated sediment in the region.