Seasonal variation of heavy metal concentrations in sediments of Farwa Lagoon, Libya

This study aimed to investigate the seasonal variations in the concentrations of some heavy metals (cadmium, lead, copper, manganese, nickel, and zinc) in the surface sediments of Fatwa lagoon. Six different stations were selected as sampling points. Samples were taken over three seasons, and seasonal and annual average element concentrations were determined. It was observed that the seasonal concentrations of heavy metals (lead, copper, manganese, nickel, and zinc) during summer, autumn, and winter were within the normal range in the surface sediments and that the lagoon was not contaminated with these metals. However, cadmium concentrations in the surface lagoon sediments were found to exceed the permissible limits during the rainy season.