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Table 5 Description of metal indices being used in this study

From: Toxicity assessment of heavy metals and organochlorine pesticides in freshwater and marine environments, Rosetta area, Egypt using multiple approaches

Index

Value

Category

CF

< 1

Low contamination

1 ≤ CF < 3

Moderate contamination

3 ≤ CF < 6

Considerable degree of contamination

CF ≥ 6

Very high contamination

PLI

< 1

No Pollution

> 1

Polluted

Er

< 40

Low potential ecological risk

40 ≤ Er < 80

Moderate potential ecological risk

80 ≤ Er < 160

Considerable potential ecological risk

160 ≤ Er < 320

High potential ecological risk

Er ≥ 320

Very high ecological risk

RI

< 150

Low ecological risk

150 ≤ RI < 300

Moderate ecological risk

300 ≤ RI < 600

Considerable ecological risk

RI > 600

Very high ecological risk

MI

< 0.3

Very Pure

0.3 ≤ MI < 1

Pure

1 ≤ Er < 2

Slightly Affected

2 ≤ Er < 4

Moderately Affected

4 ≤ Er < 6

Strongly Affected

> 6

Seriously Affected

  1. Where CF Contamination Factor, PLI Pollution Load Index, Er Ecological Risk, MI Metal Index and RI Risk Index