# Assessment of Heavy Metal Distributions in Sand Beaches in the Maltese Islands
## 1 Introduction
Thus, the presence of limestone zones along the Maltese coastline is a possible source contributing to the presence of heavy metals in beaches due to water runoff. Coastal currents aid in the redistribution of contaminants added anthropogenically in the water, adding to the concentration of heavy metals deposited on sand beaches [13]. As reported by [PERSON] and [PERSON], heavy metals are filtered by the soil composition into separate distributions [14]. Such adsorption reactions harm both the natural properties of sand and those organisms that depend on it, which may result in it being difficult and expensive to remediate and reduce. Lithogenic sources of heavy metals may include the natural bedrock since different strata are abundant in different minerals. The contamination of sand and other sediments with heavy metals has harmful consequences for humans and organisms and is thus of high importance when studying environmental pollution. Sediments are abundant in metals in an aquatic environment and thus provide a clear indication of the level of pollution of the water [15]. Sediments can act as both sources and sinks of pollutants [13; 15]. Sediments release heavy metals through deposition, adsorption, and desorption processes which are affected by physiochemical processes that include the temperature, flow conditions, organic matter and microbial content, water salinity, pH, and particle size [15]. High acidity levels in sediments increase the dissolution of metal complexes by the release of metal ions in the water, hence posing a greater ecological risk towards the benthos [15]. Many chemical changes take place in the sediment-water boundary; hence, the study of geochemical compositions of sand is effective in environmental studies. The aim of this study is to record and study heavy metal concentrations in various sand beaches around the Maltese islands to understand environmental pollution and water quality. Little information is currently available about toxicity levels in the natural environment which is highly frequented by locals and tourists in Malta and Gozo. Water quality and the effect of anthropogenic sources is highly studied; thus, this study offers a counter-balance and may further support such knowledge. This study focuses on the distribution of heavy metal concentrations around the islands since these may pose detrimental effects to human health which may also negatively affect environmental sustainability. The heavy metals studied at each of the 18 beaches located around Malta and Gozo include Cu, Fe, Pb, Mn, Sr, and Zn. These six elements have been chosen according to their concentration abundancy upon carrying out preliminary tests. In-depth statistical analysis over the 134 samples collected that were worked in triplicate was undertaken to assess the level of contamination of Maltese beaches together with their variability in different zones. Multivariate analysis and principal component analysis were performed over the concentrations obtained to classify the heavy metals studied according to their possible anthropogenic and lithogenic sources.