Abstract:
This study aimed to identify the mobility, bioavailability, and potential
toxicity of heavy metals (HM) in sediments of the Korle lagoon using
metal partition. Sediments were analysed using the BCR (Bureau of
reference) method. As (60%), Pb (50%), Zn (57%) and Fe (40%) were
found in high concentration in the ion exchangeable fraction. The
oxidisable fraction was dominated by Cu (51%), Cd (95%), Cr (61%),
Ni (63%), As (35%), Fe (21%), Hg (30%), Pb (19%) and Zn (11%). The
reducible fraction was dominated by Zn (29%), Pb (24%) and Hg (19%).
The residual fraction was dominated by Hg (49%) and Fe (34%). PCA
was used to identify pH and organic matter as the most important
factors controlling the mobility and bioavailability of HM in the sediments.
Arsenic, Pb, Zn and Fe were found to have the highest mobility.
Chromium, Cu and Ni have medium mobility. Hg has low mobility.
Most of the HM show potential bioavailability and toxicity.
