Metal concentrations and pollution assessment in bottom sediments from Inle Lake, Myanmar

Heavy metal concentrations and assessment of pollution were carried out in the bottom sediments from Inle Lake, Myanmar analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP- MS). Potential contamination of the sediments was assessed by geo-accumulation (I-geo) index and enrichment factors. The ranges of the metal enrichment in the lake bottom sediments are as follows: Mn > V > Cr > Zn > Ni > Pb > Cu > As > Co > Ga > Sb > Bi > Cd. Based on the results, it can be concluded that lake sediments may be minimal enrichment to moderate enrichment with metals such as Cd, Pb and Bi while moderate enrichment to signifying significant enrichment in sediments by As and Sb. The enrichment factor and geo-accumulation index, revealed that the concentrations of V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn and Ga were mainly influenced by crustal materials or natural weathering processes, while that of metals As, Cd, Pb, Bi and Sb were impacted by the natural and anthropogenic processes. Concentration of As, Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, Sb and Zn were comparison with Intrime Freshwater Sediment Quality Guidelines (ISQGs). The mean concentrations of elements viz.Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, Sb and Zn were lower than the threshold effect level (TEL) of ISQGs values except for As. The concentration of As (arsenic) was higher than threshold effect concentration (TEL) value of ISQGs values.