ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY OF HEAVY METALS IN A SEDIMENT CORE OFF BUSHEHR, PERSIAN GULF

Abstract

In present study, the geochemistry of a sediment core from the Persian Gulf is investigated. The sources of trace elements (Cu, Zn, Pb, Ni, Cr, Mn) have been investigated by the method of cluster analysis as well as chemical partitioning techniques. Cluster analysis shows that Pb, Cu, Cr and Zn are originated from oil pollution sources taking into account Zn as an oil pollution indicator. Higher concentrations of Mn at depth of 7cm clearly shows the movement of Mn from the lower layer of the sediment core. Considerable amount of Mn, Pb and Cu are found in lithogenous portion The results of partition studies has revealed the percentile of anthropogenic portion of metals as:
Mn (46%)> pb (40%)> Cu (18%)> Zn (12.8%)> Fe (2.4%)> Cr & Ni (0.03)
Finally, the concentration of studied metals are compared with those of mean crust and mean world sediments. Though concentrations of a few metals are higher than mean crust and men world sediments but Cr in-spite of its higher concentration is mainly derived from natural resources.
The results indicate that, a system that combines the two mentioned processes not only shortens stabilization time, but also improves the products quality. Combining the two systems resulted in a product that was more stable and homogenous; the product could meet the pathogen reduction requirements.