Sedimentological assessment and contamination of superficial sediments in Sirik and Jask Harbors with As and Hg

Entrainment of heavy metals into food chain is of main environmental problems. A big part of crude oil is exported to Western Europe and Japan through Strait of Hurmoz, thus this strait plays a strategic role in the world economy. This research dealt with some sedimentological characteristics and pollution degree of superficial sediment by As and Hg in Sirik and Jask ports, east of Strait of Hurmoz. Sediment samples were taken from 16 stations in Sirik and Jask harbors from depths of 5 and 10 m in January 2009. Sedimentological studies showed that the sediments in terms of size are very fine and close to clay particles. Average content of organic matter and calcium carbonate were 8.25 and 13.17 percent respectively. The pH varied from 8.6 to 9.2. The ICP-MS analysis showed that the average concentrations of As and Hg in Sirik were 5.28 and 0.027 ppm and were 4.52 and 0.038 in Jask respectively. Average values of enrichment factor for As and Hg were calculated as 16.77 and 1.93 in Sirik and, 11.36 and 2.14 in Jask respectively. These values indicate high and low enrichment for the measured elements as well as their non-crustal sources (agricultural and industrial wastewater and oil pollutions) in the sediments of the region. Neighboring agricultural land around Sirik and the oil spill event on 23 May, 2006 in Jask Harbor area justify the higher average pollution factor of As in Sirik (0.4) than in Jask (0.34). Comparison of Hg pollution degrees in Sirik and Jask stations (0.46 and 0.43 respectively) shows more contamination of sediments by As and Hg in Sirik stations.