Data set on trace metals in surface sediment and water from a sub-tropical estuarine system, Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh

Meghna River Estuary, the largest estuarine system (GBM, Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna) in Bangladesh, is a major spawning ground of national fish, Hilsha shad. In this study, we collected 24 surface sediment and 24 water samples from the entire lower estuary (4 sites, 3 sampling points from each site, 2 replicas from each sampling point) to detect trace/heavy metals. Sediment samples were collected from the top surface soil (0–5 cm) using Ekman grab sampler and water samples from 5 cm below the surface layer using plastic water bottles. After collection, sediment and water samples were preserved as necessary using HNO(3) (for water). Immediately after reaching the laboratory, sediment samples were dried in an oven at 70°C until the constant weight gained. The metals were then analyzed using energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence method (EDXRF) and calculated the metal concentrations. In total, 12 metals were detected and the average value (mg/Kg) of all metals for sediment samples followed the descending order of Fe > Ca > K >Ti >Sr >Zr >Rb> Cu > Zn >Pb >As > Ni, and for water the order (µg/mL) of Fe >Ti > Ca > Co >Mn > Ni > Zn >Sr > Cu > As > Se . Besides, several physicochemical parameters i.e. water pH, soil pH, temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, hardness, and alkalinity of the 12 sampling points were also measured in-situ using handheld instruments.