Metal concentrations in sediments from tourist beaches of Huatulco, Oaxaca, Mexico: an evaluation of post-Easter week vacation

Abstract

Thirty-eight sediment samples were collected from the inter-tidal beaches of Huatulco located in the Pacific coast of Southern Mexico. They were analyzed for leachable trace metals (LTMs) (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn, Fe) to evaluate the metal concentration caused by the Easter week tourist activities period and before that. Concentration pattern of LTMs indicates that Fe (avg. 7482 mg kg-1), Mn (avg. 69.24 mg kg-1), Cr (avg. 89.25 mg kg-1) are enriched, which is also supported by the correlation of other metals. Geoaccumulation (Igeo) and enrichment factor (EF) calculations infer that higher values of Fe, Mn, Cr, and As are not anthropogenic and it is possibly the result of mineralogical assemblage. Comparison of LTMs with other geographical regions and eco-toxicological values deduced from sediment quality guidelines (SQGs) emphasize that As, Cr, Cd, Mn, and Ni are in higher concentrations and the bio-available elements should be monitored.