Heavy Metals and Pesticides in Marine Sediment, Seawater, and Seaplants Along the Kenya-Mombasa Coastline

Abstract

Marine sediment, seawater and several species of seaplants along the Kenya-Mombasa coastal region were analyzed to determine the levels of heavy metals by AAS and EDXRF and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) by GLC-ECD. In marine sediments, there were high levels of manganese (1100 µg/L) at Vanga, compared to other study sites. In seawater, the heavy metals were detected in levels higher than those considered as natural in the ocean and the range was 0.01–0.30 mg/L. OCPs were detected in marine sediments and in seaplants. The trend of concentration of these pollutants in ascending order in seawater, marine sediment and seaplants was observed.

Keywords:

• Environmental samples
• Marine samples
• Trace elements
• AXIL EDXRF
• Kenya-Mombasa coastline
• Sediment
• Seawater
• Seaplant

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to Prof. G. S. Eshiwani, Vice-Chancellor, Kenyatta University, for the award of a research grant for this project.