Depth profile of major and trace elements in estuarine core sediment using the EDXRF technique

• Qualitative and quantitative analysis of sediment core by the EDXRF technique.
• Depth profile of elements in sediments shows continuous similar input sources.
• Contamination and enrichment indices were calculated and compared for elements.
• Pollution load index was found to be in the range of 1.17–1.22 for measured site.

Distribution and enrichment of elements in sediment are influenced by their texture, mineralogical composition, and physical transport. The vertical concentration profiles of sixteen elements in core sediment samples, namely Na, Mg, Al, K, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Br, Sr, and Pb were measured using the energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) technique. To check the anthropogenic input various indices (enrichment factor, contamination factor, index of geoaccumulation and pollution load index) were calculated and compared.