Author(s)

Mohammad Hassan Rezaie-Boroon, Vanessa Toress, Sonya Diaz, Teresa Lazzaretto, Mathew Tsang, Dimitri D. Deheyn

California State University, Geosciences and Environment Department, Los Angeles, USA.
University of California, Scripps Institute of Oceanography, La Jolla, USA.

Sediment core samples were collected from the Salinas de San Pedro to assess the pollutant deposition processes in response to extensive human activities. Analysis of the sediment samples for heavy metals and some trace elements was conducted with ICP-OES for 20 sites showing enrichment for some of trace and heavy metals. The results demonstrated that heavy metal concentrations in mud varied greatly for each metal, with concentration values (mg/g) ranging from 1.05 - 4.8 (Al); 0.003 - 0.011(As); 0.001 - 0.005 (Cd); 0.02 to 0.82 (Cr); 0.085 - 0.47 (Cu); 5.98 - 14.22 (Fe); 0.06 - 0.19 (Mn); 0.03 - 0.67 (Ni); 0.05 - 0.38 (Pb); <0.008 - 0.069 (Se); 0.18 - 0.63 (Ti); 0.040 - 0.091 (V) and 0.149 - 0.336 (Zn). The Index of Geo-accumulation factor showed highest values for Pb, Mn, As, and Cu. Enrichment factors >1for these elements suggest anthropogenic inputs for most metals. The bioavailability of metals in lagoon sediments has the potential to be highly dynamic with local waste and natural H₂S discharge from existing fault line.

Salinas De San Pedro; Bioavailability; Heavy Metal; Geo-Accumulation Index; Enrichment Factor; Lagoon Water Pollution

Rezaie-Boroon, M. , Toress, V. , Diaz, S. , Lazzaretto, T. , Tsang, M. and Deheyn, D. (2013) The Geochemistry of Heavy Metals in the Mudflat of Salinas de San Pedro Lagoon, California, USA. Journal of Environmental Protection, 4, 12-25. doi: 10.4236/jep.2013.41002.