Spatial distribution of heavy metals in the sediments of River Ganges, India: Occurrence, contamination, source identification, seasonal variations, mapping, and ecological risk evaluation.

Present study analyzed the seasonal and spatial distribution patterns, sources, and ecological risks of seven heavy metals (Cr, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb) in the sediments of River Ganges, finding that the majority of concentrations were lithologic, except for Cd, which was significantly higher than background standards. Elevated values of geochemical indices viz. I, CF, RI, C, mC, HQ, mHQ, and P suggest moderate to high ecological risk in the benthic environment and its organisms due to the synergistic effect of heavy metals. The PEC-Q revealed 8-10 % toxicity in the upstream and downstream sites, due to the influence of agricultural activities. Multivariate statistical techniques (PCM and PCA) indicated that Cd and Pb predominantly originated from anthropogenic sources, while other metals primarily derived from geological background. These geochemical findings may help to understand the potential risks and recommend strategies to mitigate the effects of metallic contamination in river sediments.