Geochemical evaluation of sea surface sediments along the continental shelf, south east coast of India

241-251Present study consists geochemical variations and spatial distribution of trace elements (Fe, Mn, Cr, Co, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) of the ocean floor sediments collected along the continental shelf off East coast Tamil Nadu (Chennai to Velanganni) during the 2009 southwest monsoon period. Results indicate sand dominance with abundant calcareous debris and shell fragments. Normalisation of trace metals with Al signifies a geogenic sediment origin. Enrichment factor (EF) of trace metals namely Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Mn and Zn exhibit an increasing trend Pb>Cr>Co>Zn>Ni>Cu>Mn indicating high values of Pb, Cr, Co and Zn due to the anthropogenic source. However, contamination factor (CF) and pollution load index (PLI) point less than 1 indicating negligible contamination during the 2009 southwest monsoon period