Bioavailable metals in tourist beaches of Richards Bay, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa

•Bioavailable metals in tourist beaches of Richards Bay, South Africa•Transport and deposition of metals due to human activities•Presence of metals above permissible limit•Anthropogenic input of metals in tourist beaches

Acid Leachable Trace Metal (ALTMs) concentrations in tourist beaches of Richards Bay, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa were assessed. 53 surface sediment samples were collected from five different beaches (Kwambonambi Long Beach; Nhlabane Beach; Five Mile Beach; Alkanstrand Beach and Port Durnford Beach). The results of ALTMs (Fe, Mn, Cr, Cu, Ni, Co, Pb, Cd, Zn, As, Hg) suggest that they are enriched naturally and with some local industrial sources for (avg. in μg g− 1) Fe (3530–7219), Mn (46–107.11), Cd (0.43–1.00) and Zn (48–103.98). Statistical results indicate that metal concentrations were from natural origin attributed to leaching, weathering process and industrial sources. Comparative studies of metal concentrations with sediment quality guidelines and ecotoxicological values indicate that there is no adverse biological effect. Enrichment factor and geoaccumulation indices results indicate moderate enhancement of Fe (Igeo class 1 in FMB), Cd (EF > 50; Igeo classes 2–4) and Zn (Igeo classes 1 & 2).

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