GEOCHEMICAL STUDIES OF HEAVY METALS IN THE SEA WATER ALONG KARACHI MAKRAN COAST

Each sediment, water and fish flesh samples from 13 locations of Karachi and Makran Coasts have been in investigated quantitatively for the concentration of heavy metals As, Cd, PD, Hg, Ni, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn. Further subdivision of the locations into sites have been made on the basis beach slope conditions, texture of beach sediments, geomorphic features, industrialization of coastal region, density of population, in-pouring effluents through the rivers, selected on the basis of their toxicity and biogenic e4ffects on human beings and other biota appear to show their relative concentration in the in-pouring pollutants and later on partitioning in sediments, water and fish flesh samples in accordance with the changes in the local geochemical controls.\ud \ud The heavy metals presence and relative concentrations work as indicators of the industrial installations in the coastal area, which contribute untreated effluents onto the beach.\ud \ud The heavy metals partitioning in sediments, water and fishes in relation to the local, geological, geomorphologic and geochemical controls have been discussed.\ud \ud The effects of the metals as pollutants their differential absorption by the fishes, which directly affect the human health due to their heavy consumption as a food, have been evaluated. The higher concentration of the element in a particular location in relation to other elements has been illustrated.\ud \ud Each heavy metal under study has been discussed with the help of profile diagrams of sediments, water and fish flesh samples in addition to statistical evaluation of the chemical analysis data. Great degree of compatibility in the results concluded from the profiles diagram of chemical data and statistical analyses has been observed. The results of the present work show great deal of similarities to the conclusions of the previous workers form different parts of the world carried under varying geological, geographical and geochemical controls.\ud \ud Variations in the concentration of each heavy metal within a location at different sites and between the locations have been discussed on the basis of types of industries and the density of population at the coast.\ud \ud Remedial measures to heavy metal pollution in the in-pouring industrial and anthropogenic effluents have been recommended to save coastal marine environment, flourishing of marine life specially the fishes, which will ultimately minimize hazard of fish consumer