The objective of this research was to evaluate the degree of heavy metal contamination in coastal areas and the rivers to extent which the sediment quality of the coastal area of Kadalur. In this study, heavy metals such as Zn, Cu, Cr, Cd, Pb and Hg were analysed. The selection of sampling points was based upon the inflow and out flow regions of the coastal area and rivers may be due to agricultural runoff, effluent discharge from the madras atomic power station (MAPS) discharge of tanneries and distilaries at the upstream of the Palar river and to the air – borne vehicular emissions due to the recently developed East Coast Road (ECR). Digestion and analysis of the samples were done by microwave – assisted digestion and atomic absorption spectrophotometry respectively. The observed order of abundance of metals during the present investigation is as follows: station 1 Zn >Cr > Cu > Cd > Hg, Station 2: Zn > Cu > Cr > Pb > Cd > Hg Station 3: Cu > Zn > Pb > Cr > Cd > Hg. This study proves that the level of sustained metal contamination of the coastal area and the river. This prolonged presence in excessive levels of the studied heavy metals in the bed sediments casts doubt on the choice and effectiveness of the any mitigation measures in the long run.
