ABSTRACT
Sediments are the ultimate reservoir for the numerous potential chemical contaminants that may be contained in effluents originating from urban, agricultural, and industrial lands and recreational activities [1-3]. Contaminated sediments in streams, rivers, lakes, and estuaries have the potential to pose ecological and human health risks [1,3]. Metals are a ubiquitous class of contaminants in aquatic sediments. Concentrations of certain metals such as cadmium, copper, nickel, lead, zinc, and other metals often are elevated above background levels in sediments that have been affected by human activity [4]. Earlier studies have correlated elevated concentrations of certain inorganic elements in sediments of rivers, estuaries, and coastal regions with increased industrial growth, agricultural operations, land use, etc. [5,6].
