The sediment quality assessment showed that trace element concentrations were lower than the limited values in the sediment quality guideline (QCVN 43:2017/BTNMT). According to the Igeo index, the sediments were not polluted by Cu, Pb, Zn, Cr, Fe, and As but were likely polluted by Hg and Mn in some sampling sites. Therefore, it is necessary to invest the future studies to assess the Hg and Mn concentration levels in these sites to protect the marine environment. | Vietnam Journal of Marine Science and Technology 2023 23 2 113 124 Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology Vietnam Journal of Marine Science and Technology journal homepage jmst Spatial distribution of trace elements in coastal sediments of Ha Tinh province Vietnam Pham Van Lam1 Luu Viet Dung2 3 Nguyen Tai Tue2 3 Tran Dang Quy2 3 Mai Trong Nhuan2 Nguyen Duc Tam4 Vo Minh Canh4 1 Vietnam Administration of Seas and Islands Hanoi Vietnam 2 VNU Key Laboratory of Geoenvironment and Climate change Response VNU University of Science Vietnam National University Hanoi Vietnam 3 Faculty of Geology VNU University of Science Vietnam National University Hanoi Vietnam 4 VNU School of Interdisciplinary Studies Vietnam National University Hanoi Vietnam Received 5 October 2022 Accepted 6 January 2023 ABSTRACT Sediment compositions and trace element Cu Pb Zn Cr Fe Mn As and Hg concentrations were analyzed to assess the sediment quality and the factors affecting the trace elements concentration in Ha Tinh province s coastal sediments. Results revealed that the concentration of trace elements in the coastal sediments was generally lower than in other coastal areas in Vietnam. The significantly positive correlation of the fine sediment composition with Cu Pb Zn Cr and Fe indicated that the silt and clay sediments could absorb these trace elements. The highly positive correlation among Cu Pb Zn Cr and Fe suggested that the trace elements likely originated from similar sources. The sediment quality assessment showed that trace element concentrations were lower than the limited values in the sediment quality guideline QCVN 43 2017 BTNMT . According to the Igeo index the sediments were not polluted by Cu Pb Zn Cr Fe and As but were likely polluted by Hg and Mn in some sampling sites. Therefore it is necessary to invest the future studies to assess the Hg and Mn concentration levels in these sites to protect the marine environment. Keywords Trace element sediment .
