Evaluation of trace elements in the sediments of intertidal zone around Mahin-Ugbo Area, southwestern Nigeria

This study assessed the spatial distribution of Trace Elements (TE) in the muddy sediments of the Mahin-Ugbo coastal area of  Southwestern Nigeria, using Inductively Coupled Plasma-mass spectrometry, (ICP-MS). The physicochemical parameters (pH, EC and  TDS) of the sediments were also determined. Results showed that the mean values for pH, E.C and TDS were 5.09, 153.6 μs/cm and 76.8  mg/L, respectively. Further, there was a varying distribution pattern of TE concentrations: Mn> Zn > Ba > Cr > V > Sr > Pb > La > Cu > Ni >  Co > As > Th > Sc > Ga. The As, Pb, and Zn concentrations in the sediment with mean values of 11.2, 40.4 and 122.1 ppm, respectively, were  significantly higher than the average concentrations of As (10 ppm), Pb (20 ppm) and Zn (90 ppm) in natural shale, suggesting  anthropogenic TE enrichment in the study area. To corroborate this, the TE source apportionments in the sediments using correlation  coefficient, bi-variant plots and principal component analyses showed that the TE enrichment may have been anthropogenically induced.  Pollution status assessments using I-geo, contamination factors and pollution load index indicated that the study area's sediments is  slightly to moderately polluted. These findings suggest that although the area is not heavily polluted, increasing human activities, from  inland rivers to the coastal area, in the study area will in no time be a cause for concern.