临安市雷竹林土壤重金属污染特征及生态风险评价

为了解临安市雷竹林土壤重金属污染特征,采集并测定了160个土壤样品的Hg、As、Cu、Pb、Zn、Cd、Cr、Ni、Co、Mn等重金属含量,采用单因子污染指数和内梅罗综合污染指数对雷竹林土壤重金属污染程度进行分析,并应用Hankanson潜在生态风险指数法对雷竹林土壤重金属潜在生态风险进行评价.结果表明:雷竹林土壤重金属Hg、As、Cu、Pb、Zn、Cd、Cr、Ni、Co、Mn的平均含量分别为0.16、7.41、34.36、87.98、103.98、0.26、59.12、29.56、11.44、350.26mg·kg-1,Pb、Cd、Zn和Cu平均值超过浙江省土壤背景值,分别是对应背景值的2.89、1.70、1.12、1.12倍.经单因子污染指数评价,不同重金属元素的平均污染程度大小依次为Pb＞Cd＞Cu=Zn＞Hg＞As＞Ni＞Co＞Cr＞Mn,其中Pb有中度污染,Cd、Cu和Zn有轻度污染.经内梅罗综合污染指数评价,160个样点都受到不同程度的重金属污染,轻度污染、中度污染和重度污染水平所占比率分别为55.6％、29.4％和15.0％.各重金属单因子潜在生态风险指数平均值评价结果显示,只有Cd污染达到中等生态风险,其他重金属均为轻微生态风险,而局部采样点Cd和Hg单因子潜在生态风险指数最大值分别达到256.82和187.33,存在很强生态风险.重金属综合因子潜在生态风险指数评价结果表明,临安市雷竹林土壤整体上存在轻微生态风险.     

贵阳花溪区石灰土林地土壤重金属含量特征及其污染评价

选取贵阳市花溪区典型石灰土林地土壤作为研究对象,分析了林地石灰岩和土壤中7种重金属(Cu、Zn、Mn、Cd、Ni、Pb、Co)的含量特征,以贵州省土壤背景值和全国石灰(岩)土类背景值为评价标准进行林地土壤重金属污染评价和潜在生态风险评价.结果表明:林地石灰岩以Pb的平均含量(40.21mg·kg-1)最高,Zn的(5.78 mg·kg-1)最低,7种重金属平均含量高低顺序为:Pb＞Ni＞Mn＞Co＞Cu＞Cd＞Zn;林地土壤中以Mn的平均含量(451.16 mg·kg-1以上)最高,Cd的(2.87mg·kg-1以下)最低,7种重金属含量的变异系数在8.57%～63.10%之间,Zn的平均含量明显低于贵州省土壤背景值和全国石灰(岩)土类背景值,Cu、Mn、Cd、Pb、Ni、Co的平均含量高于或接近于贵州省土壤背景值和全国石灰(岩)土类背景值.Cu、Zn、Mn、Ni、Co,Ni与Pb,Cd与Pb,Cd与Co来源相同的可能性较大,而Cd与Cu、Ni,Pb与Mn、Cu、Co的来源不同;石灰土偏碱性,富含Ca、Mg元素,有利于重金属Cd、Pb的累积.单因子污染指数和多因子综合指数(内梅罗指数法)与Hakanson潜在生态危害指数的评价结果一致,林地土壤重金属综合污染指数在3.67以上,达到重污染程度,以Cd的污染指数(4.94以上)最高,污染程度最为严重,其次是Pb(1.82以上),Zn、Mn污染程度最低,林地土壤重金属潜在生态危害指数(RI)为173.75以上,为中度生态危害程度,产生最大生态危害的是Cd,其次是Pb、Ni、Co、Cu,危害程度最小的是Mn、Zn,在相同的成土母岩和人为活动影响下,无林地土壤重金属的综合污染指数和潜在生态危害指数均明显高于有林地.     

白银市不同功能区土壤重金属污染特征及其健康风险评价

调查了白银市生活区、工业区、交通区、公园绿地和山区5个功能区表层土壤中重金属As、Cd、Cr、Cu、Hg、Ni、Pb和Zn含量,并采用单因子指数法、内梅罗综合指数法和健康风险表征模型评价重金属污染水平及对人体的健康风险。结果表明,白银市各功能区土壤Cu、Cd、Hg、Pb和Zn含量显著高于甘肃土壤背景值,且工业区土壤Cu含量超过了国家土壤质量二级标准。内梅罗综合指数表明:各功能区污染程度表现为工业区交通区公园绿地生活区山区;除山区外,各功能区受Hg、Zn、Pb和Cd污染较严重,其中以Hg污染最为严重。健康风险表征模型表明:重金属对儿童的HI(总非致癌风险)和TCR(总致癌风险)均大于成人,各功能区HI和TCR均表现为工业区、生活区交通区公园绿地山区;土壤As、Cr和Pb是各功能区非致癌风险最主要的3个贡献因子;土壤As和Cr是各功能区致癌风险最主要的2个贡献因子。     

玛曲高寒退化草甸土壤重金属污染风险评价

为了分析玛曲高寒草甸土壤重金属含量分布及重金属污染风险,采集玛曲高寒退化草甸土壤样品,分析研究区表层土壤(0—20 cm)中Cr、Ni、Cu、Zn、As、Cd、Hg、Pb等八种重金属含量,描述玛曲高寒草甸土壤重金属的空间分布特征,采用单因子污染指数、内梅罗污染指数、地累积指数评价重金属污染程度并分析重金属污染潜在生态风险,以相关性分析、主成分分析和聚类分析表征同源性重金属。结果表明:(1)研究区内As、Cd的质量分数高于背景值, Ni的质量分数偏低,变异系数大小为Cr> Hg> Cd> Cu> As> Ni> Zn> Pb;(2)Cd单因子污染指数为轻微污染,地累积指数反映As属于未受污染与轻微污染之间,各重金属元素均无潜在生态风险;以国标和土壤背景值为标准,内梅罗综合污染指数表明玛曲未受到重金属污染;(3)主成分和相关性分析表明玛曲土壤中Ni、Cu、Zn、As、Cd、Pb等元素具有相同或相似的来源, Ni和Pb的来源优先顺序最大, Cr和Hg含量呈现弱相关。     

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.     

贵州织金县贯城河上游煤矿区富硒高镉土壤重金属的分布特征及生态风险评价

通过对贵州省织金县贯城河上游煤矿区煤(矸石)、周边土壤Cd、Cr、Ni、Cu、Zn、Pb、As和Se含量进行测定,分析了煤(矸石)、土壤重金属及Se的含量特征,探讨了土壤重金属元素的来源,运用单因子污染指数、内梅罗综合污染指数、地积累指数和潜在生态风险指数4种方法评价了土壤重金属污染程度及潜在生态风险。结果表明:(1)煤(矸石)中Cr、Se、Pb含量均高于世界煤的平均含量,Ni、Cu、Zn、Cd含量均高于世界和中国煤的平均含量。(2)除Pb外,土壤样品中Cd、Ni、Cu、Cr、Zn、As、Se含量较高,其平均含量均高于贵州省土壤背景值,尤其以Se、Cd和Cu突出。(3)研究区土壤具有富硒高镉、局部酸化的特点,土壤Cd、Se、Cr、Ni和Zn的来源具有一定共性,这与长期的采煤活动有关。(4)研究区土壤重金属的单因子污染指数排序为:CdCuNiZnCrAsPb,土壤重金属综合污染处于重度污染水平;土壤Cr、Ni、Cu、Zn、As、Pb的环境风险等级属于轻微级别,Cd的环境风险程度总体上处于很强级别;4种方法的评价结果基本一致,Cd的单因子污染指数最大、地积累指数最高、污染情况和潜在生态危害程度最严重,对潜在生态风险指数贡献最大。     

洞头列岛土地利用对土壤及沉积物重金属污染的影响及其生态风险评价

针对浙江省洞头列岛不同土地利用类型土壤及沉积物中的重金属含量进行调查, 选择了五种土地利用类型,农田、森林、围涂、码头、养殖。主要评估重金属的污染现状, 区域快速产业化导致的土壤及沉积物中重金属污染及生物的潜在生态风险。采用内梅罗指数法、Hakanson 潜在生态危害系数法对重金属的潜在生态风险进行评价。结果表明, 洞头列岛不同土地类型的土壤重金属含量均超过浙江省土壤背景值, 其中, Cr、Mn、Co 超标率为100%, Zn 超标率为84%。多数监测点土壤重金属含量的内梅罗综合指数处于清洁水平, 但养殖类型中的As、Co, 围涂类型中的As、Pb, 农田类型中的Pb、Cr 属于尚清洁等级, 围涂中的Co 元素属于轻度污染等级; 综合潜在生态风险指数(RI)均显著低于轻微生态危害水平, 五种土地类型土壤质量的RI 大小顺序为: 养殖>围涂>码头>森林>农田, Pb、As 是主要的重金属生态风险种类。重金属元素之间的相关性分析表明, 围涂与码头土壤中重金属元素之间的相关性明显高于其他三种类型。围涂类型土壤中As 与Co、Cu 元素呈极显著正相关, Pb 与Zn 呈极显著正相关; 码头类型中的Cu 与Co 呈极显著正相关, As、Pb 与Zn 呈极显著正相关。Cu 与As 在码头、养殖、围涂类型中的含量较高。五种土地类型中除农田和养殖用地的某些重金属来源于成土母质, 其他各重金属来源主要是人为活动影响, 如: 交通运输、城市排污、三废排放以及汽车尾气等。因此, 应该把由人类活动导致的有毒重金属的污染控制作为首要任务, 制定相应的政策和法规。     

白银市不同区域蔬菜地土壤重金属污染特征及生态风险评价

选取白银市城郊东大沟、西大沟蔬菜地土壤样品共128个,调查了Cu、Ni、Zn、Cr、As、Cd、Hg、Pb等8种重金属的含量,采用人为影响倍数、主成分分析法、地质累积指数法和潜在生态风险法研究评价了其污染状况。结果表明:白银市蔬菜地土壤Cu、Zn、As、Cd、Hg、Pb等6种重金属含量均超过甘肃土壤背景值,其中东大沟Zn、As、Cd和西大沟As、Cd超过了国家土壤质量二级标准。变异程度和人为影响倍数表明:东大沟Cd、Hg,西大沟Hg、As空间分布非常不均匀,受人为影响最显著。主成分分析表明:东大沟Cu、Cd、Pb和西大沟Zn、Cd含量由多种因素控制。地质累积指数(Igeo)表明:白银市蔬菜地Cd、As、Hg、Zn污染程度比较严重,达到了中度污染到强污染,尤其东大沟Cd污染部分甚至达到极强污染,Ni、Cr为无污染。潜在生态危害分析表明:单个潜在生态风险参数(Ei)和综合潜在生态风险指数(RI)均为东大沟西大沟,其中Cd、Hg和As的单个潜在生态危害程度较高。虽然东大沟蔬菜地重金属污染严重于西大沟,但研究区整体污染程度和生态危害在逐年减轻。     

新疆焉耆盆地辣椒地土壤重金属污染及生态风险预警

从新疆加工辣椒主产地(焉耆盆地)采集105个辣椒地典型土壤样品,测定其中As、Cd、Cr、Cu、Mn、Ni、Pb和Zn等8种重金属元素的含量。采用污染负荷指数(Pollution load index,PLI)、潜在生态风险指数(Potential ecological risk index,RI)和生态风险预警指数(Ecological risk warning index,I_(ER))对辣椒地土壤重金属污染及生态风险进行评价。结果表明:(1)焉耆盆地辣椒地土壤Cd、Cr、Ni、Pb和Zn含量的平均值分别超出新疆灌耕土背景值的1.65、1.40、1.32、3.21、6.42倍。辣椒地土壤Pb和Zn呈现重度污染,Cd、Cr和Ni轻度污染,As、Mn和Cu无污染。(2)土壤PLI平均值为1.40,呈现轻度污染。各重金属元素单项生态风险指数从大到小依次为:Cd、Ni、As、Cu、Pb、Cr、Zn。土壤RI平均值为18.40,属于轻微生态风险态势,IER平均值为-4.78,属于无警态势;博湖县辣椒地污染水平、潜在生态风险程度与生态风险预警等级最高,焉耆县污染水平、潜在生态风险程度与生态风险预警等级最低。(3)辣椒地土壤As、Cd、Pb与Zn主要受到人类活动的影响,Cr、Cu、Mn和Ni主要受到土壤地球化学作用的控制。Cd是焉耆盆地辣椒地生态风险等级最高的重金属元素,研究区农业生产过程中要防范Cd的污染风险。     

沙颍河流域沉积物重金属污染特征及生态风险评价

为了解沙颍河流域沉积物重金属污染分布特征,于2013年5月采集沙颍河干流与支流共35个样点的表层沉积物,测定7种重金属(As、Cd、Cr、Cu、Hg、Pb和Zn)的含量。结果表明,沙颍河流域沉积物中As、Cd、Cr、Cu、Hg、Pb和Zn的平均含量分别为8.49、0.35、51.4、27.2、0.094、26.8和111.8 mg·kg~(-1)。Cd、Cu、Hg、Pb和Zn的平均含量均高于河南省土壤背景值,在不同程度上受到人为活动的影响。地积累指数统计结果表明,各重金属污染程度为CdHgZnPbCuCrAs,其中Cd污染最严重,91.43%的样点受到Cd污染。潜在生态危害指数结果表明,各重金属的生态风险为CdHgAsCuPbZnCr,Cd表现为很强风险,Hg表现为强风险,其他5种重金属生态风险较低。整个沙颍河流域属颍河周口段及其支流贾鲁河和清潩河的重金属污染问题最为突出,应该引起当地环保部门的重视。     

Spatial patterns,hotspot, and risk assessment of heavy metals in different land uses of urban soils (case study: Malayer city)

A study on identification of hotspots, spatial patterns, and risk evaluation of heavy metals in urban soils of Malayer city (Iran) was carried out. Fifty-nine composite surface soil samples were collected from six different land uses (urban parks, streets, and squares, boulevards, residential and agricultural areas) in Malayer city, and the total heavy metals were measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Average concentrations of Cd, Pb, Cu, and Zn, As, Cd, and Pb were 0.66, 15.51, 12.25, and 96.8 mg/kg, respectively. Among the six land uses, heavy metal contamination was heavier for street, while low contamination could be found for residential and urban parks. The spatial distribution of Pb in surface soil was similar to those of Cd, and Cu was similar to those of Zn with decreasing values from the central areas to the suburb. Also, there were several hotspots for studied heavy metals that Cd and Pb were mainly occurred in locations of heavy traffic in the city center and Cu and Zn in the west and northwestern in the city. The calculated result of risk evaluation showed that much of the city suffered from moderate to severe pollution by four of these heavy metals.     

Pollution and ecological risk assessment of antimony and other heavy metals in soils from the world's largest antimony mine area,China

Xikuangshan is located in Lengshuijiang City, Hunan province, China. With intensive mining and metallurgical activities, large amounts of tailing containing heavy metals (in this study, the term “heavy metals” is used for both metals and metalloids) were introduced to the soils around the mine area. Those heavy metals including antimony and other heavy metals would pose huge risk to human health and ecological environment. With a view to providing information on the extent of contamination and potential ecological risk of heavy metals in the soils of this mine area, the total contents of antimony (Sb), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) in the soils were examined. The results revealed that the predominant pollutants in this area were Sb, Cd, and Zn with mean concentrations being 356.58, 9.98, and 486.42 mg kg^?1, 119.66, 117.41, and 5.17 times of the corresponding background values respectively. The pollution indices (Ps) indicated that the pollution levels of all sampling zones were serious including the control zones. The ecological risk levels of all heavy metals were very high on all the sampling zones except sampling zone 7 (as considerable), and Sb, Cd, and As were regarded as making great contribution to the risk indices (RI).     

Pollution characteristics and risk assessment of heavy metals in the soil of a construction waste landfill site

Heavy metals found in construction waste can enter soil and water bodies through surface runoff and leachate, where they represent an environmental hazard. In this study, we investigate the pollution characteristics and ecological risks of eight heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn, and As) in the soils of an unofficial construction waste landfill site in Beijing, China. The results indicate that long-term disposal of construction waste in the dry riverbed can reduce the pH value of the soil, increase the soil organic carbon content, and affect the total amount and distribution of heavy metals. Moreover, the landfill site pollutes the external soil environment, with Cd, Zn, Pb, and Cu as the characteristic pollutants. According to the Nemerow comprehensive pollution index and potential ecological risk assessment, heavy metal pollution decreases in the following order: internal soil > bottom soil > boundary soil. Cd, Zn, Pb, and Cu pollution is higher in the internal region, with single heavy-metal pollution indexes (Pi) of 1.41, 1.65, 1.26, and 1.28, respectively. Conversely, the Pi for Cr is higher in boundary and bottom soils (1.91 and 1.94, respectively). Risk assessment codes indicate that Cd and Mn pose the greatest environmental risk (31.9% and 17.8%, respectively) as they have the highest effective content, bioavailability, and mobility. Thus, environmental monitoring is a necessity for these metals.     

山东省部分水岸带土壤重金属含量及污染评价

为了解山东省水岸带土壤重金属的含量特征和污染状况,于2010年9月—10月采集了39个水岸带土壤样品,分析了土壤中Cr、Co、Ni、Cu、Zn、Cd、Pb和Hg的含量以及土壤的pH值、粒度和有机质,采用单因子指数法、综合指数法和潜在生态危害指数法对水岸带土壤重金属污染进行了评价,并利用相关分析和聚类分析对其来源进行了初步的解析。结果表明：水岸带土壤的pH值为5.67—8.66,主要呈碱性;有机质的平均含量为9.39 g/kg,土壤粒度主要以砂粒和粉粒为主,其平均体积百分比分别为50.33%和38.48%,平均粒径为89.69 μm;Cr、Co、Ni、Cu、Zn、Cd、Pb和Hg的平均含量为53.03 mg/kg、10.33 mg/kg、24.96 mg/kg、18.38 mg/kg、56.13 mg/kg、0.142 mg/kg、22.48 mg/kg和0.020 mg/kg。各水岸带土壤重金属的含量均符合《土壤环境质量标准》（GB15618-1995）二级标准。以山东省土壤元素背景值为评价标准,水岸带土壤重金属总体表现为轻度污染和轻微生态风险,其中Cd和Hg是主要的污染因子,其对潜在生态危害指数的平均贡献率分别为46.8% 和33.6%。洙赵新河、廖河、门楼水库和东平湖水岸带土壤重金属污染及潜在生态危害明显高于其他水源地。源解析的结果表明：水岸带土壤重金属的含量受自然源和人为源的双重影响,人为源主要包括地表径流、工业废气、垃圾和交通运输等。     

Soil Heavy Metal Pollution Assessment Near the Largest Landfill of China

To assess the extent and potential hazards of heavy metal pollution at Shanghai Laogang Landfill, the largest landfill in China, surface soil samples were collected near the landfill and concentrations of Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, and Cr were determined. The results revealed that the concentrations of heavy metals, except Pb, were higher in the surface soil near the landfill than in the background soil. Principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis suggested that the enrichment of Cu in soil was probably related to agricultural activities and Cd and Pb to landfill leachates, whereas Zn and Cr concentrations were probably controlled by soil matrix characteristics. The pollution indices (PIs) of the metals were: Cd > Cu > Cr > Zn > Pb. Among the five measured metals, Cd showed the largest toxic response and might cause higher ecological hazards than other metals. The integrated potential eco-risk index (RI) of the five metals ranged from 26.0 to 104.9, suggesting a low-level eco-risk potential. This study indicated the accumulations of Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, and Cr did not reach high pollution levels, and therefore posed a low eco-risk potential in surface soil near the landfill.     

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。     

Sources and Ecological Risk Assessment of Heavy Metal(loid)s in Agricultural Soils of Huzhou,China

To identify sources of heavy metal(loid) (HM) contamination in agricultural soils of Huzhou, surface soil samples were sampled from 89 different agricultural regions in 2012. Concentrations of heavy metal(loid)s, along with pH, total phosphorus (TP), total nitrogen (TN), and soil organic matter (SOM), were determined. Ecological risk was then assessed using a modified Hakanson ecological risk index, and the sources of contamination were determined using principal component analysis (PCA). Mean concentrations of heavy metal(loid)s were 10.26, 23.21, 83.75, 22.81, 0.25, 61.86, 33.03, and 0.15 mg kg^?1 for As, Cu, Zn, Ni, Cd, Cr, Pb, and Hg, respectively. Cu, Zn, Ni, Cr, Cd, Hg, and Pb were correlated positively with TP and there were obvious positive correlations among Cu, Zn, Ni, Cr, and Cd. Risk index (RI) values varied from 39 to 1246 with a mean value of 137. Enrichment of Pb, Zn, Cu, and especially Cd can be attributed to excessive use of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers containing heavy metals, as well to surface irrigation and natural soil formation. While the ecological risk of most agricultural soils in Huzhou is low, it is recommended that the use of phosphate and nitrogen fertilizers be restricted and production technology be improved to reduce the heavy metal(loid) concentrations. Results suggest that the Chinese environmental quality standard for soil should be revised to better address heavy metal(loid) contamination.     

防城港临时性海洋倾倒区沉积物重金属污染现状及其生态风险评价

对防城港临时性海洋倾倒区表层沉积物重金属的含量和分布进行了对比分析,并采用污染指数法和Hakanson潜在生态风险指数法对其重金属的污染特征及潜在生态风险程度进行了评价。结果表明,倾倒区沉积物Hg、Pb、As和Zn的含量显著性升高;总体污染程度为中等污染,各重金属元素的污染程度由高到低排序依次为As(3.59)>Hg(2.19)>Pb(1.42)>Zn(1.20)>Cu(1.05)>Cd(0.91),其中As是主要污染因子;该海域表层沉积物重金属总体潜在生态风险程度为中等,各重金属元素的潜在生态风险程度由高到低排序依次为Hg(87.74)>As(35.89)>Cd(27.27)>Pb(7.08)>Cu(5.23)>Zn(1.20),其中Hg为主要潜在生态风险因子。     

Assessment of Heavy Metal Enrichment,Bioavailability, and Controlling Factors in Sediments of Taihu Lake,China

Heavy metal distribution, bioavailability, and ecological risk in the surface sediment of Taihu Lake were evaluated. Samples were collected from eight representative sites in September 2011 and February 2012. In the surface sediment, average metal contents were in the order of Cr > Zn > Ni > Pb > Cu. Spatially, Zhushan Bay maintained higher Cu, Ni, and Zn contents and Xiaomeikou maintained higher Cr and Pb contents than other sites. Spatial and temporal variation were observed in the bioavailable metals determined by acid-soluble fraction of BCR extraction. The labile metals in Zhushan Bay and Xiaomeikou were quantified by diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) and DGT-labile concentrations of Zn, Ni, Cu, Pb, and Cd were in descending order, indicating the inconsistence of labile concentrations of different heavy metals with the total metal contents and that the toxic effect of Cd in sediment should be given attention. The ecological risk assessed by Hakanson potential ecological risk index showed that Zhushan Bay suffered the most serious pollution and should be given special attention. Bioavailability of metals should be taken into account during risk assessment for more accurate estimation.