Initial identification of heavy metals contamination in Taihu Lake, a eutrophic lake in China

A detailed investigation of seven heavy metals (Cu, Cd, Cr, As, Pb, Zn, Ni) in the water column, interstitial water and surface sediment was conducted to quantify the extent of their contamination in Taihu Lake. Results showed the average total concentrations ranged from 0.93 μg/L for Cd to 47.03 μg/L for Zn. The dissolved concentrations in the overlying water ranged from 0.06 μg/L for Cd to 15.86 μg/L for Zn. The metals in the Taihu Lake surface water were primarily in the particulate phase, especially for Cd, whose particulate concentration represented 94.3% of the total. In the surface sediment, the mean concentrations for Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd and Pb were 41.50, 28.72, 27.82, 65.46, 5.94, 0.82 and 41.17 mg/kg, respectively. The metals in the water column and sediments of Taihu Lake displayed significant spatial variations, and the higher metal concentrations mainly occurred in the north and west of Taihu Lake, especially in Zhushan Bay and West Taihu Lake. A quality assessment indicated that most of the metals in the surface water of Taihu Lake had no or low adverse health effects on organisms, except for Pb and Cu, which may cause chronic toxicity. Compared with the "Consensus-Based Sediment Quality Guidelines", the polluting metals were Cr, Ni and Cd, and the polluted regions were confined to Zhushan Bay, Meiliang Bay and the west of Taihu Lake, especially for north of Zhushan Bay. The polluted areas for Cr, Ni and Cd were 14.36, 34.70 and 13.24 km², respectively. We suggest that Cr, Ni, and Cd in the polluted areas should be addressed and that tissue chemistry and sediment toxicity assessments be performed as soon as possible.     

Metal release/accumulation during the decomposition of Potamogeton crispus in a shallow macrophytic lake

Changes in metal concentrations in the litter of Potamogeton crispus were monitored during a consecutive 40-day in situ decomposition experiment using the litterbag method.The accumulation index was calculated and used to indicate the changes in the metals in litter.The results showed that the concentrations of Al,Cd,Cr,Fe,Mn,and Pb in litter increased significantly during the decomposition,while Cu and Zn concentrations decreased dramatically.Significant positive correlations were found between the concentrations of Al,Cr,Fe,and Mn and between Cu and Zn.Moreover,Cu and Zn both negatively correlated with Al and Fe.The remaining dry mass was negatively correlated with Al and Fe concentrations but positively correlated with Cu and Zn concentrations.Generally the accumulation index values of metals other than Al were less than one,indicating that the litter of P.crispus acted as a source of metals to the surrounding water body.Al was the only metal that showed continuous net accumulation in litter.The net accumulation of Fe and Mn in litter during the last 10 days of the experiment may indicate the precipitation of Feand Mn-oxides.It was estimated that 160 g/m~2(dry weight)P.crispus was decomposed in40 days.This was equivalent to releasing the following amounts of metals:0.01 mg Cd,0.03 mg Cr,0.71 mg Cu,0.55 mg Mn,0.02 mg Pb and 13.8 mg Zn into surrounding water,and accumulating 149 mg Al and 11 mg Fe,in a 1 m~2 area.     

Spatial distribution of dissolved Pb, Hg, Cd, Cu and As in the Bohai Sea

Characteristics of the spatial distribution of selected dissolved heavy metals were analyzed during large scale surveys from August 12 to 25,2003 in the Bohai Sea.Dissolved Pb was the only element with average concentrations higher than the grade-one sea water quality standard of China.The spatial distribution of dissolved Pb in surface water was similar to those of Cd,Cu and As,where the isopleths generally indicated decreasing values from the bays to the central areas.Only for Hg did the high concentrations not only appear in Liaodong Bay,Bohai Bay and Laizhou Bay,but also in the Central Area,viz.not only in inshore but also in offshore areas. Vertical distributions of dissolved Pb,Cd,Cu and As were largely uniform,while that of dissolved Hg increased with depth.We infer that the input of pollutants from land was the main influencing factor for the detected distribution patterns of dissolved heavy metals, followed by the dynamics of sea water,release from bottom sediments and biochemical processes.Comparing with historical data, average concentrations of dissolved heavy metals appear to decline in recent years.     

Spatial distribution and pollution assessment of heavy metals in urban soils from southwest China

To identify the concentrations and sources of heavy metals, and to assess soil environmental quality, 63 soil samples were collected in Yibin City, Sichuan Province, China. Mean concentrations of As, Pb, Zn, and Cu were 10.55, 61.23, 138.88 and 56.35 mg/kg, respectively. As concentrations were comparable to background values, while Pb, Zn, and Cu concentrations were higher than their corresponding background values. Industrial areas exhibited the highest concentrations of As, Pb, Zn, and Cu, while the lowest concentrations occurred in parks. Statistical analysis was performed and two cluster groups of metals were identified with Pb, Zn, and Cu in one group and As in the other. Spatial distribution maps indicated that Pb, Zn, and Cu were mainly controlled by anthropogenic activities, whereas As could be mainly accounted for by soil parent materials. Pollution index values of As, Pb, Zn, and Cu varied in the range of 0.24-1.93, 0.66-7.24, 0.42-4.19, and 0.62-5.25, with mean values of 0.86, 1.98, 1.61, and 1.78, respectively. The integrated pollution index (IPI) values of these metals varied from 0.82 to 3.54, with a mean of 1.6 and more than 90% of soil samples were moderately or highly contaminated with heavy metals. The spatial distribution of IPI showed that newer urban areas displayed relatively lower heavy metal contamination in comparison with older urban areas.     

Particle size distribution and characteristics of heavy metals in road-deposited sediments from Beijing Olympic Park

Due to rapid urbanization and industrialization, heavy metals in road-deposited sediments(RDSs) of parks are emitted into the terrestrial, atmospheric, and water environment, and have a severe impact on residents' and tourists' health. To identify the distribution and characteristic of heavy metals in RDS and to assess the road environmental quality in Chinese parks, samples were collected from Beijing Olympic Park in the present study. The results indicated that particles with small grain size(150 μm) were the dominant fraction. The length of dry period was one of the main factors affecting the particle size distribution, as indicated by the variation of size fraction with the increase of dry days. The amount of heavy metal(i.e., Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd) content was the largest in particles with small size(150 μm) among all samples. Specifically, the percentage of Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd in these particles was 74.7%, 55.5%, 56.6% and 71.3%, respectively.Heavy metals adsorbed in sediments may mainly be contributed by road traffic emissions. The contamination levels of Pb and Cd were higher than Cu and Zn on the basis of the mean heavy metal contents. Specifically, the geoaccumulation index(I geo) decreased in the order:CdPbCuZn. This study analyzed the mobility of heavy metals in sediments using partial sequential extraction with the Tessier procedure. The results revealed that the apparent mobility and potential metal bioavailability of heavy metals in the sediments, based on the exchangeable and carbonate fractions, decreased in the order: CdZn≈PbCu.     

Estimation of the accumulation rates and health risks of heavy metals in residential soils of three metropolitan cities in China

Heavy metal concentrations in urban soils are likely to increase over time because of continuous urbanization and heavy metal emissions. To estimate the accumulation rates of heavy metals in urban soils, we collected soil samples from residential areas with different building ages in the metropolitan cities of Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Beijing, China. Heavy metal concentrations in the soils varied among the cities and were primarily affected by soil parent material and the intensity of anthropogenic sources. Regression analyses revealed that the accumulation rates of Cd and Cu in the soils ranged from 0.0034 to 0.0039 mg/(kg•year) and 0.343 to 0.391 mg/(kg•year), respectively, and were similar across the three cities, while accumulation rates of Zn and Pb in Shanghai were higher than those in Shenzhen and Beijing. The higher accumulation rates of Zn and Pb in Shanghai can be explained by differences in city history and industrial structures among the cities. Residential soils with high health risks posed by the heavy metals were mostly collected from old towns of Shanghai because of high Pb content in the areas. Although recent urbanization resulted in elevated concentrations of Cd, Cu, Zn, and Pb in the residential soils, the effect on the total health risks of residents exposed to the soils was negligible.     

Health risks associated with heavy metals in the drinking water of Swat, northern Pakistan

The concentrations of heavy metals such as Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn were investigated in drinking water sources （surface and groundwater） collected from Swat valley, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The potential health risks of heavy metals to the local population and their possible source apportionment were also studied. Heavy metal concentrations were analysed using atomic absorption spectrometer and compared with permissible limits set by Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency and World Health Organization. The concentrations of Cd, Cr, Ni and Pb were higher than their respective permissible limits, while Cu, Mn and Zn concentrations were observed within their respective limits. Health risk indicators such as chronic daily intake （CDI） and health risk index （HRI） were calculated for adults and children separately. CDIs and HRIs of heavy metals were found in the order of Cr 〉 Mn 〉 Ni 〉 Zn 〉 Cd 〉 Cu 〉 Pb and Cd 〉 Ni 〉 Mn 〉 Cr 〉 Cu 〉 Pb 〉 Zn, respectively. HRIs of selected heavy metals in the drinking water were less than 1, indicating no health risk to the local people. Multivariate and univariate statistical analyses showed that geologic and anthropogenic activities were the possible sources of water contamination with heavy metals in the study area.     

Partitioning of heavy metals in the surface sediments of Quanzhou Bay wetland and its availability to Suaeda australis

In order to investigate distributions of heavy metal pollution in Quanzhou Bay wetland, the total concentration and chemical partitioning of a number of heavy metals （Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Cr, Hg） in sediments of three sampling sites of Quanzhou Bay wetland and their availability to Suaeda australis were analyzed. The Geoaccumulation Index （Igeo） values reveal that the sediments of three sampling sites may all be considered as moderately contaminated for Pb and Zn, and all sediments might be strongly contaminated with cadmium. The partitioning analyses revealed the measured heavy metals in three sites are bound to the exchangeable fraction at lower concentrations. The measured metals in a considerable amount are bound to the reducible and oxidizable fractions, and a high proportion of the measured heavy metals were distributed in the residual fraction in the sediment samples. The concentrations of Cd in each chemical phase extracted from the sediments are above natural global background levels and should be further investigated because of its toxicity. Suaeda australis has different accumulation abilities for the measured heavy metals. For the root and stem, the bioaccumulation ability assessed by bioaccumulation factor （BAF） for the measured heavy metals follows the decreasing order as： Cu〉Cr〉 Zn〉Cd, Pb, Hg. In the leaf, stronger bioaccumulation ability for Hg is exhibited. The heavy metal concentrations in Suaeda australis roots have positive correlations with their available fractions, while the exchangeable fraction of Cu and Cd might have be more important to both mature plant roots and seedling roots uptake than other fractions; as for Cr, the oxidizable fraction might make a greater contribution to the plant root uptake; as for Zn, the reducible fraction might make so contribution ; and for Pb, the oxidizable fraction might make a significant contribution to the mature plant root uptake, however, the exchangeable fraction might have a significant contribution to the seedling root uptake.     

Fractionation of heavy metals in shallow marine sediments from Jinzhou Bay, China

This work investigated the distribution and speciation of Cd, Cu, Pb, Fe and Mn in the shallow sediments of Jinzhou Bay, Northeast China, which has been heavily contaminated by nonferrous smelting activities. The concentrations of Cd, Cu and Pb in sediments were found to be 100, 13 and 7 times, respectively, being higher than the national guideline (GB 18668-2002). Sequential extraction test showed that 39%-61% of Cd were exchangeable fractions, indicating that Cd in the sediments posed a high risk to local...     

Catchment soils as a factor of trace metal accumulation in sediments of the reservoir Klingenberg (eastern Ore Mountains, Germany)

The release and accumulation dynamics of trace metals in soils and aquatic sediments were exemplarily investigated in the catchment area of the Reservoir Klingenberg(Germany). Catchment soils were examined for mobilizable and total concentrations of arsenic(As), cadmium(Cd), chrome(Cr), iron(Fe), manganese(Mn), nickel(Ni), lead(Pb),and zinc(Zn) and compared with trace metal quantities accumulated in riverbed and reservoir sediments. The comparison of all samples showed relatively small variations of Cr(7.96–46.0 mg/kg), Fe(7.79–40.4 g/kg), and Ni(6.06–56.5 mg/kg), while stronger differences were found for As(11.2–164 mg/kg), Cd(0.14–30.5 mg/kg), Mn(0.08–1.84 g/kg), Pb(20.7–183 mg/kg), and Zn(69.1–916 mg/kg). The catchment soils were slightly enriched by Cd, Pb, and Zn. Especially Cd and Zn were characterized by large mobilizable proportions.The mean trace metal concentrations in riverbed sediments were higher than in catchment soils, while reservoir sediments accumulated the highest amounts of the analyzed elements. The enrichment of trace metals in reservoir sediments was generally determined by the sedimentation of fine particles, while the distribution of As, Fe, and Mn was additionally impacted by redox conditions. For Cd and Zn, which in comparison were most enriched in riverbed and reservoir sediments, a significant release from soils by leaching processes was observed. The accumulation of As and Pb in reservoir sediments was influenced to a greater extent by soil erosion and by anthropogenic or chalcogen sources in the catchment.     

Heavy metals in surface sediments from Minjiang Estuary-Mazu and Xiamen-Jinmen sea areas

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渤海湾海河大沽口表层沉积物中重金属的污染特点

采用U．S．EPA-3051方法测定了渤海湾海河大沽口表层沉积物中Cd、Pb、Zn、As、Cr、Mn、Ni和Cu等8种重金属元素的含量,并分析其污染水平及分布特点。结果表明,Cu和As是大沽口表层沉积物中主要的污染元素,其含量均高于渤海湾环境背景值,其它重金属元素含量与环境背景值相当,但所测元素均未超过海洋沉积物质量标准（GB18668—2002）第三类限定值。Cu的最大值65．57mg／kg出现在B10点,高于环境背景值2．5倍,Pb和Cd的含量在B6点也高于环境背景值,表明河口地区或靠近海岸的沉积物更容易受到来自陆源污染物的影响。     

云浮Tl污染区水体重金属分布特征及污染评价

对广东云浮黄铁矿Tl污染区地表溪流水和沉积物中Tl、Cd、Cr、Pb、Ni、As、Cu、Zn的分布特征进行了调查和分析,并采用沉积物基准法、Hakanson潜在生态指数法等方法评估了重金属的环境风险.结果表明,矿区溪流各采样点水体中Tl的含量为0.19～65.25μg/L,均高于国家地表水质量标准(0.1 μg/L);...     

闽江福州段沉积物中重金属的分布特征及其毒性和生态风险评价

研究了闽江福州段表层沉积物中Cr、Zn、As、Cd、Cu和Pb等6种有毒重金属的含量及其空间分布特征,并采用基于共识的沉积物质量基准(CBSQGs)和潜在生态风险指数法(RI)对沉积物中重金属的毒性和潜在生态风险进行了评价.结果表明,6种重金属平均含量大小顺序为Zn(195.57 mg·kg~(-1))Pb(79.41 mg·kg~(-1))Cr(66.62 mg·kg~(-1))Cu(42.33 mg·kg~(-1))As(10.02 mg·kg~(-1))Cd(0.90 mg·kg~(-1)).Zn、Cd、Pb含量从河段上游到下游呈递减趋势,Cr、As呈递增趋势,Cu含量分布均匀.平均可能效应浓度商Q值对沉积物中重金属毒性判定结果表明,有18%的沉积物样品具有毒性,说明闽江福州段沉积物整体毒性效应低.从RI值来看,闽江福州段沉积物的生态风险属于中低等级;风险等级为中的样品占55.3%,主要分布在河段上游和中游(福州市区的南港和北港段),风险主要来自Cd的污染.     

基于高山湖泊沉积记录的贵州北部大气重金属污染历史重建

大气重金属污染是全球面临的主要环境问题之一,受监测资料的局限,目前我国在大气重金属污染的历史过程及其对偏远地区地表环境的影响方面的研究还较为薄弱.通过对贵州北部梵净山顶沉积物中金属元素含量和Pb同位素的分析,研究了近400年来Cd、Cr、Cu、Hg、Ni、Pb和Zn等大气污染的历史过程.公元约1800年之前,沉积物中金属元素含量较为稳定; 1800年以来,Cr、Cu、Ni和Zn等含量总体呈先增加后降低的趋势;而Cd、Hg和Pb含量逐渐增加.富集系数与207Pb/206Pb结果表明,Cd、Pb和Hg是典型的大气污染元素; Hg污染开始于公元1880年前后,Cd和Pb污染开始于20世纪50年代,近年来污染程度均逐渐加重.沉积记录反映的贵州北部梵净山地区目前大气Hg污染水平与我国东部其他远离人类活动直接影响的地区相当,但远高于欧美及青藏高原等地区;不同地区间Cd与Pb污染水平具有较大的差异.梵净山地区大气Hg污染可能受到全球和区域污染排放的共同影响,Cd和Pb污染主要来自于区域有色金属冶炼及燃煤等释放.     

珠江口表层沉积物铜铅锌镉的分布与评价

根据2002年5月和8月珠江口生态环境调查的数据,对沉积物中重金属元素Cu,Pb,Zn,Cd的质量分数与分布进行了分析讨论。结果表明,珠江口沉积物Cu,Pb,Zn,Cd的平均质量分数分别是43 8,48 9,153 3,0 82mg kg,变化范围分别是22 5～66 7,28 1～85 3,68 5～255 5,0 02～4 10mg kg。受水动力条件及冲淤特性的影响,8月份表层沉积物中Cu,Pb,Zn,Cd的质量分数高于5月份。珠江口表层沉积物中Cu,Pb,Zn,Cd质量分数平面分布趋势基本相似,呈现西部高于东部趋势,淇澳岛附近质量分数最高、大屿山附近质量分数最低。断面分布显示,调查区域上游断面沉积物中Cu,Pb,Zn,Cd的质量分数高于下游断面的质量分数,表明上游沉积物中4种元素主要源自河流的输入。季节差异也呈现上游的质量分数大于下游的质量分数。生态危害的评价结果表明,Cu,Pb,Zn的潜在生态危害轻微,Cd的危害性高于Cu,Pb,Zn。      

茅尾海海洋公园沉积物持久性毒害污染物生态风险分析

对广西茅尾海国家海洋公园海域13个站位表层沉积物进行采集,测定了沉积物中重金属Hg、As、Cu、Pb、Zn、Cd及DDTs、PCBs含量,分析了各持久性毒害污染物的分布特征,并进行了综合生态风险评价。计算结果表明:茅尾海国家海洋公园沉积物中重金属平均含量（×10-6,干重）顺序为Zn（56.9）> Pb（19.0）> Cu（12.6）> As（10.7）> Cd（0.14）> Hg（0.075）,持久性有机污染物平均含量（×10-9,干重）为PCBs（1.08）> DDTs（0.70）,均低于国家海洋沉积物一类标准;沉积物重金属潜在生态风险排序为Cd > Hg > As > Cu > Pb > Zn,所有站位潜在生态风险指数RI平均值为98.39,潜在生态风险总体处于较低水平,茅尾海东北部海域为潜在风险高值区,主要由于Cd的潜在风险水平较高所致;沉积物中DDTs、PCBs的含量均低于ERL值,因此DDTs和PCBs生态风险较低。     

福建近岸海域表层沉积物重金属、PCBs潜在生态风险评价

对福建近岸海域38个表层沉积物样进行测试分析,探讨了沉积物中重金属（Hg、Cd、Cr、Pb、Cu、Zn、As）和多氯联苯（PCBs）的空间分布特征及其可能的来源,并采用Hakanson潜在生态风险指数法进行了污染评价。结果表明:（1）三沙湾和闽江口—妈祖海域的重金属富集较为严重,罗源湾及湾口外海域沉积物污染程度较低;（2）沉积物中PCBs没有新的来源,重金属主要来自岩石自然风化和侵蚀、工业排污、生活污水以及船只油品泄漏;（3）三沙湾具有中等偏高的潜在生态风险;闽江口—妈祖海域整体接近、局部已达中等潜在生态风险;罗源湾及湾口外海域均属低潜在生态风险。Cd和Hg是主要的生态风险贡献因子,各元素的平均生态风险指数由大到小依次为:Cd> Hg> As> Cu> PCBs> Pb> Cr> Zn。     

环渤海典型海域潮间带沉积物中重金属分布特征及污染评价

对环渤海11个采样点潮间带沉积物中重金属含量进行了测定,结果表明:Cu、Cr、Zn、As、Cd、Pb的平均含量分别为14.92,31.73,73.68,11.34,0.448,21.94 mg · kg^-1.与国内典型的河口和海湾比较,Cu、Cr、Zn、As处于相对较低水平,Cd、Pb处于中等水平.重金属表现出相似的空间变化规律,即高值区集中在辽东湾,次高值区在渤海湾,低值区位于莱州湾.相关性分析表明:Cr、Cu、Zn、Cd、Pb可能具有相似的输入源,As的主要来源可能与其它几种金属不同.地累积指数法评价结果显示:Cr、Cu、Zn、As属于清洁级别,Pb处于轻度污染水平,Cd处于偏中度污染.重金属元素污染程度排序为Cd>Pb>Zn>Cu>As>Cr.潜在生态危害指数法评价结果表明:重金属对渤海典型海域生态风险构成的危害程度排序为Cd>Pb>As>Cu>Zn>Cr.Cr、Cu、Zn、As、Pb均为低生态危害等级,Cd以中等生态危害等级为主,局部海域出现强、很强、极强生态危害等级.     

辽东湾表层沉积物重金属污染特征及潜在生态危害评价

为了解辽东湾海域表层沉积物重金属的污染特征,利用原子吸收分光光度法及原子荧光法测定了辽东湾33个站位表层沉积物中Hg、Cu、Pb、Cd、Cr、Zn及As共7种重金属的含量,同时应用地累积指数法及潜在生态风险评价法对辽东湾海域进行了污染程度及潜在生态风险评价。结果表明:（1）重金属相关性及主因子分析表明,辽东湾表层沉积物中Zn、Cu、Pb、Cr、Cd、As和Hg可能具有同一污染源;（2）辽东湾海域表层沉积物中Hg、Cu、Pb、Cd、Cr、Zn、As的平均质量浓度分别为0.09、18.81、20.55、0.35、34.15、52.94、5.84 mg/kg;（3）重金属污染程度由高到低依次为:Cd > Hg > Cu > Pb > Zn > As > Cr;（4）单个重金属生态风险由高到低依次为:Hg > Cd > As > Cu > Pb > Cr > Zn,研究海域除锦州湾13号站位附近具有很高的生态风险外,其他海域生态风险处于轻微或中等生态危害水平。