Distribution of Cr, Pb, Cd, Zn, Fe and Mn in lake Victoria sediments, East Africa

Abstract

The presence of many metals at trace or ultra-trace levels in the human environment has received increased global attention. Sediments as a sink for pollutants are widely recognized pollution sources and diagenesis and biochemical transformations within the sediment may mobilize pollutants posing a threat to a wider biological community. The natural (background) concentrations of heavy metals in lake sediments can be estimated either by analysis of surface sediments in non-polluted regions or by analysis of core samples antedating modern pollution. The distribution pattern of heavy metals in tropical freshwater systems has been little studied. The authors found increased concentrations of lead and other trace metals in Lake Victoria. Thus this study was initiated in order to further investigate the distribution patterns of lead and other metals in Lake Victoria.