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Batticaloa lagoon is the largest lagoon of Eastern Sri Lanka, considered to be a polluted
marine environment because of the rapid development since 2009 after the end of civil
war in Sri Lanka. The catchment of lagoon water body comprises industrial, agricultural
and urbanized discharges. Therefore, the present study made an assessment of the
geochemical status and provides background information of the Batticaloa lagoon. Surface
sediment samples of 34 locations were analyzed for 13 heavy metals (As, Cr, Cu, Nb,
Ni,Pb, Sc, Sr, Th, V, T, Zn, Zr). Enrichment factors and geo-accumulation indices were
used to assess the contamination levels. Standard sediment quality guidelines were
referred for the quality inspections. The enrichment factor and geo-accumulation indices of
sampling sites near the lagoon mouth indicate high concentrations of Zr and As.
Nevertheless As has enriched in sediments, the concentration is below the sediment
quality standards. However, Zr content strongly exceeds the sediment quality standards.
High enrichment of Zr might have been due to the marine influence and sea currents that
are passing the mineral sand deposits of North Eastern Sri Lanka. Igeo values of sampling
sites indicate moderate contamination status for Cr, Th, V and Y for most of the sediment
sampling sites and low contamination status for Cu, Sc and Zn. Sediment quality
standards point out exceeded values of Zr and Th for almost all sites and Sc and V for
most of the sites. Further, sediments of paddy channel associating sampling sites have
above values of Cr, Cu, Ni and Zn for standards. The results of this study indicate heavy
metal enrichments and spatial distribution in lagoon sediments are due to both natural and
anthropogenic activities of the area.
