Spatial distribution of heavy metals in sediments of the Ivory Coastal zone (Toukouzou Hozalem-Assinie) in correlation with anthropic activities
Laure Emma Oura, Konan Edmond Kouassi, Affoué Tindo Sylvie Konan, Horo Koné, Adjoumani Rodrigue Kouakou, David Boa, Kouassi Benjamin Yao
Abstract
The present study aims to assess the spatial distribution of heavy metals in sediment of the ivorian coastal zone using X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF). The total average concentrations of 13 heavy metals in four seasons and six campaigns on a set of 72 samples have been obtained. Those samples were collected from 12 sites located in the Toukouzou Hozalem-Assinie region. The results revealed that they are ranked in the following decreasing order: Fe > Al > Cr > Mn > V > Zn > Ni > Pb > As > Cu > Cd > Sb > Hg. Geoaccumulation index (Igeo), enrichment factor (EF), contamination factor (CF) and pollution load Index (PLI) were used to estimate the impact of anthropogenic activities on the quality of the sediments. The values of these indices showed that sediments are highly contaminated mainly with Cd, Cr, As and are of anthropogenic origin.