The long biological half lives, non-bio-degradable nature and accumulative properties of trace and toxic heavy metals in aquatic environment has attracted great attention of environmental scientists and ecologist in recent years. Therefore, in the present investigation, we have selected Kalwa Bridge and Balkum sites along the Thane Creek to investigate pollution load due to trace and toxic heavy metals in aquatic environment. The distribution coefficient (K) values of metals were calculated for soil and sediment samples. It was observed that the K values were higher for sediment as compared to that obtained for soil samples. Also the K values of metals for soil and sediments were found to be lower in rainy and maximum in summer seasons.

Keywords: water pollution, aquatic environment, soil contamination, sediment, toxic heavy metals, distribution coefficient, Kd, Thane Creek, India, water quality