Sediment metal concentrations were assessed in five different beach regions (n = 183) of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province in South Africa. Metal distribution revealed that Cr, Cu, Mo, Cd, Zn, Hg and As exceed the background upper continental crust values suggesting their anthropogenic origin (mining, agricultural and industrial) apart from natural geological inputs (gold placer deposits and heavy minerals). Various geochemical indices (Geoaccumulation index, Enrichment factor and Degree of contamination) confirmed that the sediment samples are extremely contaminated with Cr, Cd and Hg. Further, Hg and Cd were main contributors (60-90%) to the ecological threat in sediments. Hazard index estimated a high hazard potential of Hg in near future. Finally, present study together with our previous results portray the status of KZN coast with special significance to Hg contamination/enrichment. Thus, future researches are recommended to investigate the environmental and human health implications of mercury exposure in this coastal province.
Keywords: Ecological risks; Geochemical indices; Metal concentration; Sediment; South Africa.
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