Assessment of Chemical Contaminants in Sea Water: A Study of Heavy Metals and Organic Pollutants

Abstract

Chemical contaminants in sea water, especially heavy metals and organic pollutants, pose significant threats to marine ecosystems and human health. This study investigates the concentrations of heavy metals (e.g., mercury, lead, cadmium) and organic pollutants (e.g., polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, pesticides) in sea water samples from coastal areas. The study analyzes the source, distribution, and environmental impact of these pollutants in three different regions: industrial, agricultural, and pristine coastal areas. Using advanced analytical techniques such as Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), the concentrations of heavy metals and organic pollutants were measured. Results indicate that anthropogenic activities, particularly industrial discharge and agricultural runoff, significantly elevate pollutant levels. These pollutants not only affect marine biodiversity but also pose risks to human health through the food chain. The paper concludes with recommendations for mitigation strategies to reduce pollution and preserve marine ecosystems.

Introduction

Chemical contamination of seawater is a major global concern driven by human activities such as industrial discharge, agricultural runoff, and urbanization. This study assessed heavy metals (Hg, Pb, Cd) and organic pollutants (PAHs and pesticides) in seawater from three coastal regions: an industrial area, an agricultural area, and a pristine control site.

Seawater samples collected over three months were analyzed using ICP-MS for heavy metals and GC-MS for organic pollutants, with statistical analysis performed using ANOVA and correlation tests. Results showed that pollutant concentrations were highest in the industrial region, moderate in the agricultural region, and lowest in the pristine area. Mercury, lead, and cadmium were most elevated near industrial activities, while agricultural runoff contributed notably to pesticide contamination. Organic pollutants, especially PAHs and DDT, followed a similar spatial pattern.

A moderate positive correlation between heavy metals and organic pollutants in the industrial region suggests common pollution sources, primarily industrial and urban discharges. Overall, the findings highlight the strong influence of anthropogenic activities on marine pollution and emphasize the need for effective pollution control and monitoring to protect marine ecosystems and human health.

Conclusion

This study highlights the significant presence of heavy metals and organic pollutants in coastal areas, with industrial activities contributing to the highest concentrations of both types of contaminants. The results emphasize the need for continuous monitoring of marine environments, particularly in industrialized and agricultural areas, to prevent the deterioration of marine ecosystems and human health. Future research should focus on the long-term ecological impacts of these pollutants, as well as the effectiveness of mitigation strategies to reduce their concentrations in coastal waters.

References

[1] Mackay, D., Shiu, W. Y., & Ma, K. C. (2020). Physical-Chemical Properties and Environmental Fate of Organic Pollutants. CRC Press. [2] Santos, F., Pereira, M., & Ferreira, T. (2019). Heavy Metals in Marine Environments: Sources, Distribution, and Environmental Risks. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 149, 121-130. [3] APHA. (2017). Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater (23rd ed.). American Public Health Association.

Copyright

Copyright © 2026 Rupalben Rangani. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.