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New Research Alert: Deciphering Geo-Environmental Risks and Elemental Distribution in the Sundarbans Estuary Sediments


A new study co-authored by our research heads evaluates the abundances, sources, and potential ecological risks of 15 essential metal(oid)s across six coastal rivers in southwestern Bangladesh flowing through the world's largest mangrove ecosystem.


We are thrilled to share a significant milestone for our research group. Our research heads, Dr. Rahat Khan and Dr. Dhiman Kumer Roy, have published their latest research paper titled "Geo-environmental processes for elemental distributions in the sediments of coastal rivers streaming through the mangrove estuary: Ecological risks assessment" in the prestigious journal Environmental Research.

The Sundarbans estuarine system is highly vulnerable to increasing human activities and hydro-geochemical changes. Understanding sediment quality in this region is absolutely vital for sustainable ecosystem conservation.

Key Highlights from the Study:

  • Advanced Methodology: The research team utilized a TRIGA-Mark-II nuclear research reactor and gamma-detector-based Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) to precisely measure 15 different metal(oid)s (including Na, K, Al,Ti, Mn, Cr, Zn, As, Co, Rb, Cs, Sb, Ba, Th, and U).

  • Elemental Abundance: The results revealed that certain elements like Arsenic (As), Rubidium (Rb), Cesium (Cs), Thorium (Th), Uranium (U), and Antimony (Sb) surpassed baseline crustal values by 1.5 to 2.0 times.

  • Source Apportionment (PMF Modeling): By applying Positive Matrix Factorization modeling, the study discovered that natural geogenic processes heavily dominate the sediment chemistry (~82%), while localized human footprints (agricultural and industrial activities) account for roughly 18%, primarily tied to Chromium (Cr) and Arsenic (As).

  • Current Ecological Status: The overall framework indicates a low-risk condition for the estuary, though localized zones warrant continuous monitoring due to specific Cr and As accumulations.

This crucial work underscores the dynamic interplay between natural geological weathering and expanding human activities, providing a baseline framework for future environmental policies and continuous estuarine monitoring in Bangladesh.

Read the Full Paper

The complete article containing the detailed statistical frameworks, spatial distribution maps, and risk index profiles is available online. You can access the publication via the official DOI link below:

👉 Access the Full Article on ScienceDirect

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