The effect of particle sizes on metal accumulation in the marine sediments of Cape Town harbour, South Africa

Abstract

This study was carried out to assess the elemental concentration in sediment samples collected from six locations in the Cape Town Harbour. The effect of size variation was considered determinant on metals accumulated in sediments. An Inductively coupled plasma-Mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) instrument was used for the analysis. The following metals were investigated Mn, Cr, V, Ni, Co, and As. The order of heavy metal concentration in sediments was Mn > Cr > V > Ni > Co > As. Strong correlation was found between these metals (Mn and V in sizes <75 and ≥150), (As and Co in size ≥150), (Ni and Cr in size ≥150 and <75).