Heavy Metals Contamination in the Surface Sediments of Talar River, north of Iran

Background and Purpose: The contamination by potentially toxic element (PTE) is a common environmental issue in worldwide rivers. The present study examined PTEs concentration in sediments of Talar River which is one of the main rivers in the Sothern Caspian Basin. Materials and Methods: The sediment samples (n= 44) were collected from top 0–5 cm of surface sediment in the main channel and floodplain of Talar River using a Van-Veen grab sampler. The concentrations of trace elements were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to evaluate possible relationships between the observed variables and source identification. Enrichment factor (EF) was also applied to determine the integrated effects of different elements and evaluate the sediment quality. Results: The average concentration of all elements except Mo were found to be higher than the concentration of elements in upper continental crust (UCC). The result of enrichment factor (EF) indicated that most elements were unpolluted and showed minimal to moderate contamination level.  Multivariate statistical analysis indicated Pb, Cu, V, Zn, Cd, Co and Ni typically have anthropogenic sources. Whereas Mn, Sb, Sc, Mo and As showed geogenic source. Conclusion: It was concluded that sediments in Talar River was then experiencing slightly polluted status originated from local anthropogenic sources in the basin which might potentially pose detrimental effects on both ecological and health conditions in the basin.