Chemical Characterization of Sea Water: Investigating the Concentration of Trace Metals and Nutrients in Marine Systems

Abstract

The chemical composition of sea water is fundamental to the health of marine ecosystems. This study investigates the concentrations of trace metals and essential nutrients in various marine environments, focusing on the anthropogenic impacts on water quality. Sea water samples were collected from industrial, fishing village, and pristine coastal areas, and the concentrations of trace metals (copper, lead, mercury) and nutrients (nitrate, phosphate, silicate) were analyzed. Results show elevated concentrations of trace metals and nutrients in the industrial region, highlighting significant anthropogenic influence, with potential implications for marine life and ecosystem health. The findings underscore the need for monitoring and mitigating the pollution load in coastal areas to protect marine biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Introduction

The chemical composition of seawater is essential for marine ecosystem health, but human activities have increasingly altered it, especially in coastal areas. This study examined the concentrations of trace metals (copper, lead, mercury) and nutrients (nitrate, phosphate, silicate) in three coastal regions—an industrial area, a fishing village, and a pristine site—to assess the influence of anthropogenic activities.

Seawater samples collected in July 2024 were analyzed using ICP-MS for metals and UV-visible spectrophotometry for nutrients, with statistical comparisons made using ANOVA. Results showed that the industrial region had the highest concentrations of copper, lead, nitrate, and phosphate, reflecting strong impacts from industrial runoff, sewage discharge, and agricultural inputs. The fishing village showed moderate levels, while the pristine area had the lowest concentrations. Mercury was detected only in the industrial region, whereas silicate levels remained relatively consistent across all sites.

Overall, the findings demonstrate that human activities significantly influence coastal water chemistry, increasing pollution and nutrient enrichment that can lead to eutrophication, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem degradation. The study underscores the need for improved management of industrial and land-based inputs to protect marine environments.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates the significant impact of human activity on the chemical composition of sea water, particularly in industrialized areas. Elevated concentrations of trace metals like copper and lead, as well as nutrients like nitrate and phosphate, were observed in the industrial region, highlighting the influence of anthropogenic pollution. These elevated concentrations pose risks to marine life and ecosystem function, including eutrophication and the disruption of food webs. To mitigate these impacts, continuous monitoring of water quality is essential, especially in coastal areas affected by industrial activities. Further research is needed to understand the long-term ecological consequences of these pollutants and to develop strategies for pollution control and marine conservation.

References

[1] APHA. (2017). Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater (23rd ed.). American Public Health Association. [2] Murray, J., Smith, S., & Nelson, S. (2017). The Role of Nitrogen and Phosphorus in Eutrophication of Coastal Waters. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 113(1-2), 1-9. [3] Smith, V., Tilman, G., & Lehman, R. (2014). The Impact of Excess Nutrients on Marine Ecosystems. Ecology Letters, 17(4), 398-408. [4] Wang, Y., Zhang, X., & Xu, Z. (2015). Heavy Metal Pollution in Coastal Areas: Sources, Impacts, and Mitigation Strategies. Environmental Pollution, 199, 29-39.

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.