Distribution and risk assessment of heavy metals in river surface sediments of middle reach of Xijiang River basin,China

Xijiang River is the main surface water source in Guangxi province, South China. This study was carried out to investigate the distribution and potential ecological risks of seven heavy metals (Cu, Pb, Zn, As, Cd, Ni, and Cr) in surface sediments in Xijiang River basin. The results illustrated that the average concentrations of Zn, Pb, Cd, Cu, As, Ni, and Cr were 483.9, 207.5, 13.35, 23.50, 312.1, 28.75, and 50.62 mg/kg, respectively. Among them, Zn, Pb, Cd, and As were the major heave metals with concentration exceeding Class 3 threshold value of Chinese national standard. The result also showed samples with high ecological risk were mainly located in the upstream of Xijiang River basin as Diaojiang River, Hongshui River, Jincheng River, and Dahuan River. Based on the pollution risk assessment, the area manifested composite pollution of heavy metals in the sediments, signifying As, Pb, and Cd as the dominant heavy metals, and there were high ecological risk in sediments for these metals. According to correlation matrix and factor analysis (FA), the seven heavy metals were divided into three types/classes, Cd, as and Zn attributed by anthropogenic sources, natural sources corresponds for Ni and Cr while both natural and anthropogenic sources were attributed to Cu.     

Pollution characteristics and ecological risk assessment of heavy metals in the surface sediments from a source water reservoir

Surface sediment samples were collected from a source water reservoir in Zhejiang Province, East of China to investigate pollution characteristics and potential ecological risk of heavy metals. The BCR sequential extraction method was used to determine the four chemical fractions of heavy metals such as acid soluble, easily reducible, easily oxidizable and residual fractions. The heavy metals pollution and potential ecological risk were evaluated systematically using geoaccumulation index (I_geo) and Hakanson potential ecological risk index (H′). The results showed that the sampling sites from the estuaries of tributary flowing through downtowns and heavy industrial parks showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher average concentrations of heavy metals in the surface sediments, as compared to the other sampling sites. Chemical fractionation showed that Mn existed mainly in acid extractable fraction, Cu and Pb were mainly in reducible fraction, and As existed mainly in residual fraction in the surface sediments despite sampling sites. The sampling sites from the estuary of tributary flowing through downtown showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher proportions of acid extractable and reducible fractions than the other sampling sites, which would pose a potential toxic risk to aquatic organisms as well as a potential threat to drinking water safety. As, Pb, Ni and Cu were at relatively high potential ecological risk with high I_geo values for some sampling locations. Hakanson potential ecological risk index (H′) showed the surface sediments from the tributary estuaries with high population density and rapid industrial development showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher heavy metal pollution levels and potential ecological risk in the surface sediments, as compared to the other sampling sites.     

鸭绿江口湿地滩涂表层沉积物重金属空间分布特征及生态风险评价

利用GIS软件空间内插值法分析鸭绿江河口近海湿地滩涂表层沉积物重金属的空间分布特征,并采用环境风险指数法和潜在生态危害指数法进行重金属元素的生态风险评价.结果表明: 研究区表层沉积物中的重金属含量与国内典型河口湿地相比处于较高水平.从空间分布上看,重金属含量东部高于西部,在人类活动密集区存在明显的累积性.环境风险指数法分析结果表明,Cu对该区域环境污染的影响最大,而Hakanson潜在生态危害指数法分析结果表明,Hg和Cd的潜在生态危害最大,重金属的综合潜在生态危害指数介于93.65～507.20,平均值为189.30,属于中等生态危害,并以东部潜在危害程度最大,应作为今后重金属污染防治的重点区域.     

The current status of heavy metal in lake sediments from China: Pollution and ecological risk assessment

Heavy metal contamination in lake sediments is a serious problem, particularly in developing countries such as China. To evaluate heavy metal pollution and risk of contamination in lake sediments on a national scale in China, we collated available data in the literature of the last 10 years on lake sediments polluted with heavy metals from 24 provinces in China. Based on these data, we used sediment quality guidelines, geoaccumulation index, and potential ecological risk index to assess potential ecological risk levels. The results showed that approximately 20.6% of the lakes studied exceeded grade II level in Chinese soil quality standards for As, 31.3% for Cd, 4.6% for Cu, 20.8% for Ni, 2.8% for Zn, and 11.1% for Hg, respectively. Besides, the mean concentrations for As in 10.3% of lakes, Hg in 11.9% of lakes, and Ni in 31.3% of lakes surpassed the probable effect level. The potential ecological risk for toxic metals decreased in the order of Cd > Hg > As > Cu > Pb > Ni > Cr > Zn, and there were 21.8% of the lakes studied in the state of moderate risk, 10.9% in high risk, and 12.7% in very high risk. It can be concluded that Chinese lake sediments are polluted by heavy metals to varying degrees. In order to provide key management targets for relevant administrative agencies, based on the results of the pollution and ecological risk assessments, Cd, Hg, As, Cu, and Ni were selected as the priority control heavy metals, and the eastern coastal provinces and Hunan province were selected as the priority control provinces. This article, therefore, provides a comprehensive assessment of heavy metal pollution in lake sediments in China, while providing a reference for the development of lake sediment quality standards.     

Extraction and environmental risk assessment of heavy metal in the municipal dewatered sludge using rhamnolipid treatment

Heavy metal could lead to serious environmental risk to the ecosystem, destroy human health via the food chain. The heavy metal removal from sludge is an emergent issue. In this work, rhamnolipid, an environment-friendly material, was used to enhance heavy metal extraction from the sludge. The results showed that Cu, Zn, Cr, Pb, Ni, and Mn maximum extraction efficiencies were 35.10 ± 2.31%, 45.33 ± 3.24%, 27.58 ± 3.35%, 24.12 ± 3.51%, 43.31 ± 2.53% and 22.10 ± 2.11%, respectively; most of exchangeable and reducible fractions, and partly oxidizable and residual fractions have been extracted by the rhamnolipid solution. After treatment, I_R values of heavy metals increased in the treated sludge, the I_R values for Cu, Zn, Cr, Pb, Ni, and Mn were 0.24 ± 0.01, 0.25 ± 0.03, 0.21 ± 0.02, 0.32 ± 0.03, 0.22 ± 0.021 and 0.41 ± 0.03, respectively. M_F values indicated that heavy metal mobility order was Zn>Ni>Cu>Mn>Cr>Pb in the treated sludge. According to the two risk assessment methods (risk assessment code, RAC and potential ecological risk index, PERI), the risk assessment of heavy metal was investigated in the after treatment sludge, which indicated that rhamnolipid could extract the mobility of heavy metal and lead to no or low risk to the ecosystem. Therefore, rhamnolipid was utilized to enhance heavy metal extraction from dewatered sludge in this study, which is a promising technique for heavy metal extraction from the dewatered sludge.     

北京市南沙河沉积物重金属污染特征及风险评价

北京南沙河是海淀北部地区的重要排水和风景观赏性河道,为全面了解南沙河底泥沉积物中重金属的污染特征,采集了表层沉积物样品,分析了重金属元素的含量和形态,并利用单因子指数法、Hakanson综合污染指数法和潜在生态风险指数法对沉积物重金属进行了生态风险评价.结果表明:南沙河表层沉积物各种重金属元素存在较好的同源性,污染程度为:Cr＞Cd＞Zn＞Cu＞Pb＞Ni.基于单项潜在生态风险指数的评价表明,该区域重金属生态风险等级由强至弱依次为:Cd＞Pb＞Cu≈Cr＞Ni≈Zn,其中,仅Cd具有较高的潜在生态风险,综合潜在生态风险指数表明,除了京藏高速桥河段危害等级较高外,南沙河总体处于轻微的生态风险等级.形态分析表明,Cd的酸提取态含量高,迁移性最强,最容易对生物造成直接危害,其次是Pb和Zn,Cu和Ni具有一定程度的潜在环境危害,Cr产生环境危害的可能性较小.     

河口潮间带沉积物重金属累积及生态风险评价

于2015年7月份在闽江口鳝鱼滩湿地布设两条样带(T1和T2),并分别选取5个采样点采集沉积物样品。因重金属Co和V对动物和人类会造成一定危害,且闽江河口潮间带Co和V的研究较少,则对其理化性质、Co和V的空间分布特征以及污染程度等进行了研究,旨在为Co和V的污染研究提供参考。结果显示,该沉积物中Co和V的平均浓度分别为15.19 mg/kg、102.94 mg/kg,均高于福建省背景浓度,与其他河口对比,Co和V浓度处于中等水平。Co和V的含量由陆向海方向略有下降。地累积指数法分析得出沉积物中Co含量呈现轻度污染状态,V呈现无污染状态。此外,Co和V的潜在生态危害系数E_rⁱ分别为7.24—14.85和1.47—4.17,表明潜在生态危害轻微,闽江河口潮间带沉积物中Co和V属于轻度污染。     

Assessment of heavy metal pollution and ecological risk in marine sediments (A case study: Persian Gulf)

This study was made to determine the pollution status and potential ecological risk of heavy metals in sediment of Persian Gulf. Surface sediments were collected seasonally by Peterson grab, and the concentrations of heavy metals were measured by using inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry (ICP–OES). The range concentrations obtained in mg/kg were 10,800–22,400 for Fe, 5.32–10.12 for Pb, 24.63–42.38 for Ni, 22.52–39.46 for Cu, and 31.64–47.20 for Cr. The concentrations of Pb, Ni, Cu, and Cr have been found lower than the Interim Sediment Quality Guidelines and probable effect level values suggesting that heavy metal contents in sediments from area of study would not be expected to cause adverse biological effects on the biota. The obtained enrichment factor values for various metals were between minimal enrichment (Pb = 0.5) and extremely enrichment (Cu = 3.11). The values of I_geo for Pb, Ni, Cu, and Cr were characterized under no pollution (0). The highest value of potential ecological risk index (RI) (8.36) was observed at St. 4 while the lowest value (5.25) was detected at station 6. Based on potential ecological RI, the Persian Gulf had low ecological risk.     

Chemical speciation distribution characteristics and ecological risk assessment of heavy metals in soil from Sunan mining area,Anhui Province,China

In this study, the content characteristics, comprehensive pollution assessment, and morphological distribution characteristics of heavy metals (Mn, Cd, Cr, Pb, Ni, Zn, and Cu) were researched based on the processes of field investigation, sample collection, and experimental analysis. Results showed that the mean concentrations of Mn, Pb, Cr, Cu, Cd, Zn, and Ni in surface soils were 522.77, 22.56, 55.10, 25.41, 0.25, 57.02, and 48.47 mg kg^?1, respectively. The surface soil from Sunan mining area was contaminated by Cu, Cd, and Ni in different degrees, and high CV values of Cd, Zn, Pb, and Ni were influenced by local human activities possibly. The evaluation results suggested that the mean I_geo values were in the sequence of Cd (0.657) > Ni (0.052) > Cu (?0.293) > Mn (?0.626) > Zn (?0.761) > Cr (?0.884) > Pb (?0.899). Besides, Cd was the most significant potential risk factor among all elements. Nevertheless, the Cd of bioavailable speciations with higher proportion had stronger migration and toxicity, and was more easier to be absorbed and enriched than other elements by some crops (e.g., vegetables, rice), and being at a relatively higher potential ecological risk in soil.     

Distribution,speciation, and ecological risk assessment of heavy metals in surface sediments of Jiaozhou Bay,China

This paper analyzed the distribution and speciation of seven heavy metals in sediments in Jiaozhou Bay. The ecological risk was assessed using three index approaches (i.e., risk assessment code (RAC), contamination factor (CF), and potential ecological risk index (PERI)) and by a comparison with sediment quality guidelines (Chinese Marine Sediment Quality Standards (CMSQS), and threshold effect level (TEL) and probable effect level (PEL) from the USEPA). Pb, Cr, As, Cu, Zn, and Hg contents at most sites were above the corresponding TEL and Class I criteria (CMSQS) value. Particularly, high contents of Cu, detected at sites S₇ (124.5 mg kg^?1) and S₈ (118.3 mg kg^?1), exceeded the respective PEL value, indicating that harmful biological effects might occur. Speciation analysis, individual CF, and RAC calculations suggested that Cd had the highest bioavailable fraction and thus posed a very high risk to aquatic ecosystem; Cu and Zn showed a medium–high risk. Both global CF and PERI analysis indicated a high pollution risk at sites S₇, S₁, S₃, and S₂, but the assessments of specific sites were different. The incomplete consistency suggested that it is necessary to consider both total contents and chemical speciation for providing a more realistic appraisal for the risk of heavy metals in sediments.     

Environmental risk assessment of manganese and its associated heavy metals in a stream impacted by manganese mining in South China

In South China, high manganese content in the drinking water source influenced by upstream manganese mine drainage has become a major concern. To investigate the extent of metal pollution and environmental risk in upstream sediments and native aquatic macrophytes, a study was conducted on a manganese mining-impacted river named the Heishui River. The results indicated that streambed sediments collected were polluted by Mn and other metals with the highest contents of Mn 43349.4 mg kg^?1, Pb 128.6 mg kg^?1, Zn 502.9 mg kg^?1, and Cu 107.2 mg kg^?1. The level of Mn in all sediments was higher than the consensus-based Probable Effect Concentration, indicating that adverse effects on sediment-dwelling organisms were likely to occur frequently. Among the studied metals, Mn had the highest bioavailability and ecological risk, followed by Zn. Native aquatic macrophytes accumulate large amounts of the studied metals. A significantly positive correlation was found between exchangeable fractions of the studied metals in sediments and in aquatic macrophytes. The risk assessment code showed the following risk levels of metals in sediments in descending order: Mn > Zn > Cu > Pb. In conclusion, the river impacted by manganese mining drainage poses a high risk to both the local ecosystem and downstream drinking water.     

Spatial distribution and environmental risk assessment of heavy metals identified in soil of a decommissioned uranium mining area

Abstract

The spatial distribution of six heavy metals (Cd, As, Zn, Pb, Cr, and Cu) in the soil of a decommissioned uranium mining area was investigated and their potential environmental risk was assessed. Soil samples were collected along the main riversides enclosing the mining area. The heavy metal distribution was determined by geospatial interpolation. Pearson correlation coefficient and principal component analysis were used to locate the sources of pollution which are the mine ore as natural source, and dressing plants and tailing area from human activity. The results indicate that the average concentrations of As and Cd strongly exceed the recommended EQSS (Environmental Quality Standard for Soils of China) limits at all sampling sites, whereas Zn concentrations were found to be slightly over the limit only at sampling sites close to the mining area. The concentrations of Cr, Cu and Pb were all within the recommended limits. Environmental risk was assessed using the toxicity characteristic leaching procedure defining the degree to which extend the metal is released into the solution. High leaching rates were found only for Zn and Cd, suggesting that together with its high concentrations Cd is the most toxic metal around the mining area, followed by As.     

湘西河流表层沉积物重金属污染特征及其潜在生态毒性风险

花垣河和峒河是湘西地区受到锰矿和铅锌矿生产影响严重的两条河流。通过表层沉积物采样分析了Cd、Pb、Cu、Ni、Cr、Zn和Mn的总量,根据BCR连续提取程序分析沉积物样品中重金属的地球化学赋存形态,采用内梅罗指数法和地积累指数法评价了沉积物重金属污染特征,根据重金属的富集程度探讨了重金属污染来源,采用淡水生态系统沉积物质量基准(SQGs,TEL/PEL)和毒性单位评价了花垣河和峒河沉积物中重金属元素的生态毒性风险。结果表明,花垣河和峒河绝大多数位点的表层沉积物中Cd、Pb、Cu、Ni、Cr、Zn和Mn的总量高于参照点,形成严重的复合污染,花垣河沉积物中重金属的污染水平明显高于峒河,但沿程变化规律不明显,而峒河沉积物中重金属的沿程变化较有规律,即上游含量低,中下游含量较高。两条河流表层沉积物中富集程度居前列的均为Cd、Pb、Zn和Mn。花垣河和峒河沉积物重金属污染主要来源于矿业生产所产生废渣和废水的点排放。在花垣河和峒河的大多数位点,Cd、Pb和Mn的形态具有共同特征,其生物可利用态均较大程度地超过生物不可利用态,而且Mn和Cd的生物可直接利用态所占比例远高于其它重金属,而Cu和Cr的生物可直接利用态所占比例很低。花垣河沉积物中Cd、Pb和Zn在所有位点极大地超过PEL,在峒河中下游,Cd、Pb、Ni和Zn超过PEL,具有较大的潜在生物毒性。除上游S1位点外,花垣河的其余各位点都具有明显的急性毒性,峒河中下游各位点具有明显的急性毒性,这些河段需要重点治理。     

Impact of bioavailable heavy metals on bacterial activities in coastal marine sediments

Total heavy metal concentrations in marine sediments are not sufficient to reliably predict detrimental biological effects. Here we provide evidence that only bioavailable heavy metals have a significant impact on benthic microbial loop functioning. Sediment samples collected along 250 km of the Apulian coast (Mediterranean Sea) were analysed for total and bioavailable heavy metals (Cr, Cd, Pb and Cu), organic matter content, bacterial abundance, biomass and carbon production and -glucosidase activity. Sampling strategy was specifically designed to cover a wide range of environmental conditions and types of anthropogenic influences. Total heavy metal concentrations in the sediments were tightly coupled with organic matter content, whereas bioavailable heavy metal concentrations displayed an opposite pattern. Bioavailable Cr concentrations were up to 10-fold higher than values observed for the other bioavailable metals and significantly inhibited benthic bacterial metabolism and turnover. Results from this study suggest that functional microbial variables are highly sensitive to heavy metal contamination and could be used as bioindicators of stress conditions in coastal sediments.     

湖南省主要水系底泥重金属污染特征及其生态风险评价

为全面了解湖南省主要水系底泥中重金属含量及其潜在生态风险,在湖南省内的湘、资、沅、澧以及洞庭湖5个主要水系共采集了75个位点的底泥样品,分析了重金属元素含量和来源分布特征,并采用地累积指数法、内梅罗指数法和潜在生态风险指数法对其污染程度和潜在生态风险进行评价。结果表明,As、Cd、Cr、Cu、Mn、Pb和Zn的平均含量分别为32.87、7.59、78.09、70.69、1182.60、85.64 mg/kg和482.44 mg/kg。湘江和洞庭湖的污染相对严重,底泥中重金属含量明显高于资江、沅江和澧水;相关性分析表明多种重金属具有相同污染来源;地累积指数评价结果显示,湖南省主要水系底泥中Cd为重污染水平,Zn为中度污染,Cu、Mn和Pb均为轻度污染,而As和Cr污染程度为清洁;内梅罗指数法评价结果表明,除Cr为轻度污染外,湖南省主要水系底泥中其他6种重金属污染均为重污染级别;潜在生态风险评价结果显示,湖南省总体潜在生态风险属于中等级别,各水系潜在生态风险大小顺序为洞庭湖>资江>湘江>澧水>沅江,重金属Cd的潜在生态风险级别为很强,其他重金属元素都属于轻微级别。     

黄河尾闾河道及河口区水体与悬浮颗粒物重金属和砷沿程分布及生态风险

基于2016年汛前和汛后获取的黄河尾闾河道与河口区(低盐区)表层和底层水体和悬浮颗粒物样品,研究了水体和悬浮颗粒物中重金属(Cr、Ni、Cu、Zn、Pb、Cd)和As含量的沿程分布特征,并评估了其生态风险。结果表明,汛前尾闾河道表层水体中仅Cd的平均含量高于河口区,而底层水体中As、Cr、Cu、Ni和Pb的平均含量均高于河口区;汛后尾闾河道表层水体中仅Ni的平均含量低于河口区,而底层水体中6种重金属和As的平均含量均高于河口区。汛前尾闾河道表层悬浮颗粒物中As、Cd、Cu、Ni、Pb和Zn的平均含量均低于河口区,而底层悬浮颗粒物中6种重金属和As的平均含量均低于河口区;汛后尾闾河道表层悬浮颗粒物中6种重金属和As的平均含量均高于河口区,而底层悬浮颗粒物中As、Cd、Cr、Cu和Pb的平均含量均高于河口区。汛前和汛后尾闾河道及河口区表层和底层水体中重金属和As污染较轻,其值大多分别低于地表水环境质量Ⅰ类标准和海水水质Ⅰ类标准限值。相对于汛前,汛后尾闾河道及河口区表层或底层悬浮颗粒物中As和6种重金属的毒性单位之和(∑TUs)和平均PEL商数值均降低,说明汛期调水调沙工程的实施可降低汛后悬浮颗粒物中上述元素综合作用所产生潜在生态毒性风险。     

上海市崇明岛城镇河流沉积物重金属累积与环境风险

小城镇河流沉积物重金属累积状况间接指示了河流水环境质量现状,研究河流沉积物重金属累积水平与环境风险具有重要的现实意义.对上海市崇明岛崇南分区3个典型城镇(城桥镇、堡镇、陈家镇)河流沉积物重金属累积特征进行了研究.结果表明,3个城镇河流沉积物中Zn、Cr、Cu、Pb和Cd平均含量分别为：城桥镇103.1、79.2、39.0、29.7和0.300 mg·kg^-1;堡镇99.0、104.0、50.5、32.7和0.308 mg·kg^-1;陈家镇86.7、79.5、32.2、30.5和0.274 mg·kg^-1;崇南分区94.72、81.35、38.52、30.78和0.297 mg·kg^-1.用地累积指数法(I_geo)对沉积物重金属进行的环境风险评估结果为：崇明3个城镇河流沉积物重金属均为低-中等环境风险,其中3个城镇达到中等环境风险的概率为城桥镇>堡镇>陈家镇.     

汕头湾表层沉积物重金属污染与潜在生态风险评价

汕头湾作为华南地区重要的出海门户,汕头市主要的旅游区和水产养殖基地,其环境污染问题已成为制约当地经济发展的重要因素,为此2002年在此开展了重大科技术兴海项目,以海洋沉积物质量标准、单因子污染指数和潜在生态风险评价体系对汕头湾表层沉积物重金属污染现状和潜在生态风险进行了评价。结果表明:汕头湾表层沉积物中Cd,Cu,Pb,Zn的平均含量超过海沉积物质量标准(Ⅰ类);以单因子污染指数评价,Cd达到很强污染等级,Zn为强污染,Cu,Ni,Pb为中等污染;以单元素生态系数(E_rⁱ)评价,只有Cd的潜在生态风险达到很强等级,其它元素则只属于轻微潜在风险范畴;以多元素潜在生态风险指数(RI)评价,汕头湾的潜在生态风险水平处于中等强度;重金属含量分布特征与重金属污染及潜在生态风险的空间差异性一致,表现为由上游至下游呈波状递减趋势,其中以牛田洋和汕头港上游最为严重;这一污染特征主要是由集水区域内的产业结构特点、河流入海口及排污口的分布以及汕头湾的地理和水文特性所决定的。