A statistical analysis-driven assessment of heavy metal risks in coastal sediments of the Gulf of Kutch, India: Integrating field data with meta-analysis.

This study presents a comprehensive assessment of heavy metal contamination in the coastal sediments of the Gulf of Kutch (GoK), India, using integrated statistical techniques and meta-analysis. Sediment samples were collected from eight intertidal locations (Jakhau, Kathda/Mandvi, Modhva, Luni, Kandla, Navlakhi, Rozi Port, and Sikka), representing a gradient of anthropogenic influence. A total of 72 sediment cores were analyzed using X-ray Fluorescence (XRF), and pollution was evaluated through indices including the Contamination Factor (CF), Enrichment Factor (EF), Geo-accumulation Index (Igeo), Pollution Load Index (PLI), and Modified Degree of Contamination (mCd).