Occurrence,removal, and environmental risks of pharmaceuticals in wastewater treatment plants in south China

Pharmaceutically active compounds in wastewater released from human consumption have received considerable attention because of their possible risks for aquatic environments. In this study, the occurrence and removal of 10 pharmaceuticals in three municipal wastewater treatment plants in southern China were investigated and the environmental risks they posed were assessed. Nifedipine, atenolol, metoprolol, valsartan and pravastatin were detected in the influent wastewater. The highest average concentration in the influents was observed for metoprolol (164.6 ng/L), followed by valsartan (120.3 ng/L) in August, while median concentrations were higher in November than in August. The total average daily mass loadings of the pharmaceuticals in the three plants were 289.52 mg/d/person, 430.46 mg/d/person and 368.67 mg/d/person, respectively. Elimination in the treatment plants studied was incomplete, with metoprolol levels increasing during biological treatment. Biological treatment was the most effective step for PhACs removal in all of the plants studied. Moreover, the removal of PhACs was observed with higher efficiencies in August than in November. The WWTP equipped with an Unitank process exhibited similar removals of most PhACs as other WWTPs equipped with an anoxic/oxic (A/O) process or various anaerobic-anoxic-oxic (A²/O) process. The environmental risk assessment concluded that all of the single PhAC in the effluents displayed a low risk (RQ<0.1) to the aquatic environments.

Open image in new window

     

珠江三角洲地区水体表层沉积物中多环芳烃的来源、迁移及生态风险评价

检测了珠江三角洲河流及南海近海表层沉积物中25种多环芳烃的含量．其含量范围为138-6793ng·g-1．主成分分析/多元回归分析结果表明,珠江三角洲水体沉积物中多环芳烃来源主要有石油排放,煤、木柴等低温燃烧排放,机动车尾气排放及生物成因．其相对贡献分别为石油排放占36％、煤、木柴燃烧占27％、机动车尾气占25％,自然来源占12％．珠江、东江河流沉积物中多环芳烃主要来源于区域内工业和生活废物的直接排入和机动车尾气的近距离沉降．西江沉积物中多环芳烃大气沉降是主要输入途径．南海沉积物中多环芳烃河流输入是主要途径．在多环芳烃由河流向海洋的输送过程中,茈可以作为一个有效指标示踪河流输送的多环芳烃．风险评价表明,东江及珠江部分河段沉积物可能存在着对生物的潜在危害,其它区域多环芳烃的生态风险处于较低水平．     

珠海近岸海域表层沉积物中的重金属及生态危害评价

为了研究珠江口近海海域重金属的污染状况,2009年8—12月对珠海珠江口4个站点的表层沉积物进行了6次采样,测定了表层沉积物中重金属Cd、Cr、Pb、Hg、Cu、Zn、Mn、Ni、Fe和金属Al的质量分数,分析了它们质量分数间的相关性,依据Lars Hakanson提出的沉积物中金属污染物评价方法,对Cd、Cr、Pb、Hg、Cu和Zn等6种典型重金属的潜在危害进行了评价。结果表明,Cd、Cu和Zn是该调查区域的主要重金属污染物,应该予以优先控制和治理。位于马骝洲水道入海口的S1位点上,金属元素（Cd除外）质量分数的季节特征是秋季（丰水期）〈冬季（枯水期）,重金属危害指数（RT）为轻微级,重金属潜在生态危害系数（Eir）顺序为Cd〉Hg〉Pb〉Cu〉Zn〉Cr;在S2位点,Cd、Cu、Hg、Ni和Fe的平均质量分数为秋季〉冬季,其它5种金属则为秋季〈冬季,RT为强级;在S3、S4位点上,8种金属元素（Hg、Mn除外）的质量分数呈现秋季〉冬季的现象,RT为很强级;S2、S3和S4站点的Eir均表现为Cd〉Hg〉Cu〉Pb〉Zn〉Cr的顺序。     

基于水文学方法的珠江流域生态流量研究

珠江流域水资源丰富,但由于水体污染等原因,水质性缺水问题较为突出,区域水环境、水生态以及水安全等成为急需解决的重要科学问题。开展生态流量研究对于评价地表水文过程演变对区域水环境与水生态的影响具有重要理论意义,并为区域水资源优化配置和可持续开发利用提供科学依据。基于此,运用各种＂水文学＂方法（包括最小月平均流量法、改进的7Q10法、NGPRP法、逐月最小生态径流计算法和逐月频率计算法）对珠江流域11个主要水文控制站点的实测月径流量做了全面而系统的研究,分析珠江流域生态径流过程,并通过与Tennant法对比分析,选择逐月最小生态径流计算法和逐月频率计算法分别计算了各水文控制站的最小生态径流量和适宜生态径流量,除个别站点外,其评价结果分别处于Tennant法＂中＂和＂最佳＂的等级。对于逐月频率计算法中保证率的选取方法,研究表明各月径流系列均取50%最适合珠江流域。研究同时为仅利用水文资料中的多年逐月径流数据来确定生态需水提供了一种新的研究思路。     

环境多介质中PCDD/Fs人群健康风险评价——以珠江三角洲为例

基于珠江三角洲不同环境介质（水体、大气和土壤）及食物中PCDD/Fs的研究资料,利用VLIER-HUMAAN模型评估了该区域不同暴露途径下PCDD/Fs对人群潜在健康风险。结果表明：珠江三角洲地区人群平均每日摄入PCDD/Fs的量（TDI）为3.312 pg WHO1998-TEQ/kg·d-1,低于世界卫生组织（WHO）组织推荐的容许标准（4 pg WHO1998-TEQ/kg·d-1）。从暴露途径来看,珠江三角洲地区成年人摄入PCDD/Fs的主要途径食物摄取,约占了98.0%。在食物暴露中,水产品是主要途径,约占总摄入量的70%,蔬菜和肉蛋类分别占了16.6%和10.5%,其它较低。水产品是PCDD/Fs引起人群健康风险的重要风险源,应采取有效措施保障水产品质量,同时,调整饮食结构,降低PCDD/Fs暴露的潜在风险。     

珠江主干和东江河流表层沉积物中有机磷酸酯阻燃剂/增塑剂分布

有机磷酸酯阻燃剂/增塑剂(organophosphate esters,OPs)用量大、环境分布广泛、毒理效应显著,已成为环境领域关注热点。采用超声辅助提取结合固相萃取技术和气相色谱-质谱分析,研究珠江主干和东江河流表层样品中7种常见OPs含量水平与分布特征。结果表明,研究区域沉积物中OPs分布广泛,珠江主干∑7OPs范围为78.9~577 ng·g~(-1),主要污染物为磷酸三(丁氧基乙基)酯(TBEP),其次为磷酸三丁酯(TBP)和磷酸三(2-氯)乙酯(TCEP),均值分别为84.6 ng·g~(-1)、55.6 ng·g~(-1)和27.8 ng·g~(-1);东江河段沉积物中∑7OPs含量范围为24.0~293 ng·g~(-1),以磷酸三甲苯酯(TTP)、磷酸三苯酯(TPh P)和TBEP为主要污染物,平均浓度分别为55.6 ng·g~(-1)、32.7 ng·g~(-1)和17.5 ng·g~(-1)。以上结果揭示了珠江和东江沉积物中有机磷阻燃剂/增塑剂的浓度和分布是明显不同的,可能与不同来源的点源排放有关。     

珠江流域土壤中碳库的存量与通量

通过对珠江流域各主要环境介质中不同形态碳含量的分析和计算,得出该流域0~1.0m范围内土壤碳库的存量为1.36×1013kg,占中国陆地碳库总量的9.51%,全球碳库总量的0.907%;流域净碳输入量为4.141×1010kg/a,碳通量912.74kg/(hm2·a),初步计算表明珠江流域可能是陆地生态系统的一个碳汇区。另一方面,人类活动造成流域内有机碳的大量流失,其中,水土流失损失的碳8.01×109kg/a,植物收割及森林砍伐从土壤-植物系统中携带出的有机碳高达6.26×1011kg/a,这将造成土壤有机质含量的降低,因此促进陆地生态系统有机碳存储是提高本流域土地质量的关键。     

珠江河网水产品中菊酯类农药残留调查及健康风险评价

2012年8月在珠江河网采集水产品样品(13种鱼,4种虾和2种贝),采用超声波提取-气相色谱法对样品中菊酯类农药(PYRs)进行残留检测,并对鱼类PYRs暴露水平进行健康风险评价。结果显示,鱼类肌肉、虾类和贝类中PYRs质量分数分别介于ND~3.05μg·kg-1、0.05~1.13μg·kg-1和0.69~1.20μg·kg-1(ND为未检出,以湿重计),平均值分别为0.90μg·kg-1、0.41μg·kg-1和0.99μg·kg-1。虾类和贝类中PYRs的检出率均很高,除联苯菊酯在虾类体内检出率为75%外,其他菊酯均为100%,鱼类肌肉中氯菊酯检出率最高,达到100%。氯菊酯在鱼类肌肉和贝类中的检出量最高,分别占总菊酯质量分数的52.2%和55.4%,溴氰菊酯在虾类中检出量最高,分别占总菊酯质量分数的33.0%;对居民通过食物摄入的PYRs进行食用暴露风险评估,结果表明,珠江河网水产品中PYRs人体健康危害的年总风险评价介于3.96×10-13~1.21×10-10a-1,水产品的安全消费量为5.54×104kg·d-1,水产品中的PYRs的健康危险风险很小。     

Occurrence,distribution and risk assessment of abused drugs and their metabolites in a typical urban river in north China

We developed a method for determining 11 abused drugs in water and sediment. METH and EPH were the dominant drugs in water and sediment in Beiyunhe River. Abuse drugs in Beiyunhe River were mainly from hospitals and sewage effluents. Abused drugs in the water would not impair the aquatic ecosystem biologically. This study investigated the presence of 11 abused drugs and their metabolites, including amphetamine, methamphetamine (METH), ketamine, ephedrine (EPH), cocaine, benzoylecgonine, methadone, morphine, heroin, codeine, and methcathinone in the surface water and sediment samples of Beiyunhe River, a typical urban river flowing through Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei provinces in North China. An analytical method of determining these abused drugs and their metabolites in water and sediment was developed and validated prior to sample collection in the study area. Results showed that METH and EPH were predominant in water and sediment samples. The total drug concentrations ranged from 26.6 to 183.0 ng/L in water and from 2.6 to 32.4 ng/g dry weight in sediment, and the drugs mainly originated from hospitals and sewage treatment plants. The average field-based sediment water distribution coefficients of abused drugs were calculated between 149.3 and 1214.0 L/kg and corrected by organic carbon. Quotient method was used to assess the risks. The findings revealed that these drugs and their metabolites at determined concentrations in water samples will not impair the aquatic ecosystem biologically, but their potential harmful effect on the function of the ecosystem and human health should not be overlooked.     

珠江河口沉积物中拟除虫菊酯类农药污染及毒性评价

拟除虫菊酯农药是一种广谱、高效、低毒、低残留的亲脂性杀虫剂,它会随农田排水、降雨淋洗进入水体,最终进入沉积环境,故沉积物是其最终归宿之一。本研究针对珠江河口沉积物中菊酯类农药的污染状况进行调查,研究它们的含量、组成比例、污染来源及其潜在毒性,为珠江渔业水生生态环境管理及掌握环境中有机污染情况提供依据,对保护渔业环境安全有十分重要的意义。2012年5月采集珠江河口表层沉积物,采用气相色谱法-电子捕获法（GC-ECD）对表层沉积物中联苯菊酯、甲氰菊酯、高效氯氟氰菊酯、氯菊酯、氯氰菊酯、氰戊菊酯、溴氰菊酯进行残留检测,并利用其对钩虾的生物毒性来评价沉积物的潜在毒性。结果显示,表层沉积物（以干质量计）中7种菊酯类农药质量分数介于ND~6.59μg·kg-1（ND表示未检出）,平均值为0.75μg·kg-1,其总质量分数与有机碳质量分数呈现一定的正相关性;组成比例表明,氯菊酯最多,占总量的57.63%,它的检出率为61.90%,甲氰菊酯其次,约占总量的16.39%,检出率为28.57%,氯菊酯占主要组成部分,可能与其在珠江三角洲居民生活中被大量使用及其降解速率有关;珠江桥采样点高浓度的菊酯类农药的检出（6.59μg·kg-1）,可能与其靠近人口密集和经济发达的广州有关;与国内外其他地区相比,珠江河口沉积物中菊酯农药处于较低水平;采用毒性单元TU（选用钩虾Hyallela Azteca的LC50）进行毒性评估,∑TU值范围为0~0.09,远远低于1,表明珠江河口拟除虫菊酯不存在生态风险。     

珠江八大入海口表层沉积物中DDTs和HCHs残留调查

于2010年8月-2011年5月4次采集珠江八大人海口表层沉积物,采用气相色谱-电子捕获（GC—ECD）法分析沉积物中DDTs（p,P’-DDE、P,P’-DDD、0,P’-DDT、P,P-DDT）和HCHs（α-HCH、β-HCH、γ-HCH、δ-HCH）的污染现状。结果显示,珠江8大人海口表层沉积物中DDTs总含量介于1．02—3．08μg·kg-1之间（以干质量计,下同）,平均值为1．91μg·kg-1;HCHs总含量介于0．21—0．41μg·kg-1之间,平均值为0．31μg·kg-1。DDTs平均含量大于HCHs,其中P,P。DDT对污染的贡献最大,含量范围为ND～7．66μg·kg-1,平均值为2．12μg·kg-1。大部分样点伽（α-HCH）／w（γ-HCH）比值小于3,说明研究区α-HCH大都被降解,或者林丹正取代工业HCHs成为珠江口水环境中HCHs输入的主要来源;甜（DDT）／w（DDD＋DDE）比值大于2,表明沉积物中除早期农药残留外,仍然有新的DDTs类农药输入。     

珠江三角洲4种淡水养殖鱼类重金属的残留及食用风险评价

为全面了解珠江三角洲淡水水产品中重金属污染现状,评估其生态风险与食用安全,于2014年8月至2015年8月采集罗非鱼、草鱼、乌鳢及鳜鱼主要养殖鱼类样品共计57份,采用原子荧光光谱仪(AFS),电感耦合等离子体质谱(ICP-MS)仪进行分析测定,并采用单因子污染指数(Pi)、重金属污染指数(MPI)、每周可耐受摄入量(PTWI)以及食入健康风险指标(Ri总)分别评估其污染程度、食用安全性与健康风险。结果表明,样品中Cr、Ni、Cu、Zn、As、Cd、Hg、Pb的含量范围分别为0.020~3.240,0.020~0.800,0.110~1.100,0.190~19.970,0.030~1.480,nd~0.606,0.003~0.118,0.040~0.803 mg·kg-1(湿重),Cr、As、Cd、Pb在水产品中超标率大小依次为As(7.0%),Pb(7.0%),Cd(5.3%),Cr(1.8%)。Pi结果表明,目前珠江三角洲养殖水域水产品中Cu与Zn残留处于正常范围内,Cr和Hg有少量样品为轻度污染,Pb、Cd与As存在重度污染样品,所占比例为2.86%、6.02%和5.74%。MPI结果显示不同水产品污染程度为乌鳢>鳜鱼>罗非鱼>草鱼,总体上各种水产品MPI依然处于较低的水平;食用安全性结果显示,目前成人每周摄入水产品是安全的,但乌鳢Cr,罗非鱼As含量较高分别达到PTWI的37.76%和19.51%,表明水产品中Cr、As残留可能存在一定的食用安全隐患。健康风险模型结果显示,所有样品均未超过国际辐射防护委员会(ICRP)的推荐的最大可接受水平(5×10-6a-1)。综合分析珠江三角洲淡水养殖主要水产品可知,其尚未出现明显的污染安全问题,但As与Cr等元素的潜在风险值得进一步关注。     

珠江三角洲典型区域农业土壤中镍的含量分布特征

对珠江三角洲典型区域农业土壤取样调查表明:研究区农业土壤中镍的含量范围在2.29～112.00mg·kg-1之间,平均值(27.79±18.39)mg·kg-1,有24.9%土壤样品的镍含量超过国家土壤环境质量标准(GB15618—1995)的二级标准;土壤中镍的含量主要受成土母质的影响,滨海沉积物和三角洲冲积物发育的土壤中镍含量明显高于其它成土母质的土壤;可能受到富含镍的西江和北江沉积物质的影响,西江和北江三角洲沉积区土壤中镍含量明显高于东江三角洲沉积区。调查结果为研究区域的土壤环境质量调查、评价和治理提供重要的基础资料和决策依据。     

珠江三角洲表层土壤中的多环芳烃

多环芳烃是一类主要由人类活动排放的有毒有机污染化合物,对人和生物体具有致癌、致畸和致突变效应,是评价土壤生态污染的重要内容之一。文章利用螺旋钻采样、索氏抽提、硅胶氧化铝净化和GC-MS分析,研究了珠江三角洲不同功能区(城市点、郊区点、乡村点)的76个表层土壤样品(耕作土、非耕作土)中多环芳烃(PAHs)的含量、分布特征及其影响因素。结果表明,16种优控PAHs的总质量分数范围为31.5~791.6ng·g-1(平均279.1ng·g-1,以干质量计),以萘(44.4%)、菲(13.7%)、荧蒽(8.4%)、芘(4.9%)、■(6.6%)等化合物为主。与国内外其它地区的城市相比较,珠江三角洲地区土壤PAHs的污染程度较低,在组成上也表现出亚热带地区独特的中、低环化合物为主的特征。受人类经济活动的影响,地处珠江三角洲中部的经济工业中心地带,土壤中PAHs含量相对较高。珠三角表层土壤PAHs含量和组成分布主要受大气沉降控制,而与土壤有机碳、pH的相关性较小。高温潮湿的亚热带季风气候是影响珠三角土壤PAHs的降解和迁移的重要环境因素。     

珠江水质和含氮消毒副产物的时空变化

研究区域是珠江广东省段的3条干流(西江、北江、东江)及交汇处(广州),目标是研究分析2年内29个采样点的常规水质指标的时空变化及溶解性有机氮(dissolved organic nitrogen,DON)对于消毒副产物生成势(specific disinfection byproduct formation potential,SDBPFP)的影响.结果表明,对于常规水质指标浓度而言,在时间上,西江、北江、东江三者基本无变化,但交汇处有稍微的变化,一般在7、10月份浓度偏高;在空间上,各干流及交汇处沿径流方向浓度呈逐渐增大趋势,且交汇处水质指标的浓度普遍高于干流.水体的PO34-浓度、总氮(total nitrogen,TN)浓度最高分别超出《国家地表水环境质量》Ⅴ类水质标准10倍、4倍.溶解性有机碳(dissolved organic carbon,DOC)浓度与UV254呈良好的线性关系,R2=0.901;但DON与卤乙腈(halogenacetonitrile,HANs)浓度的线性关系较差,R2为0.440.卤乙腈生成势(specific halogen acetonitrile formationpotential,SHANFP)与DOC/DON比值基本无线性关系.     

Composition of stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes in five wetland plants and sediments from the Pearl River estuary,South China

This study sampled five plant species and adjoining sediments from the Qi’ao (Zhuhai) and Nansha (Guangzhou) coastal wetlands located in the Pearl River estuary, South China. The compositions of stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes as well as the content of carbon and nitrogen in the samples were analysed. Differences in carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratio, and habitat feature were compared between exotic plants (Spartina alterniflora, Sonneratia apetala, and Laguncularia racemosa) and native mangroves (Aegiceras corniculatum and Acrostichum aureum). The results showed that for Qi’ao, which is nearer the sea, the conductivity of the sediments at this location was approximately two times higher than that at Nansha (more inland). The composition of both δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N in sediments was also higher at Qi’ao (?26.52‰ to ?23.83‰ and 6.25‰ to 11.53‰, respectively) as compared to Nansha (?29.30‰ to ?27.43‰ and 3.34‰ to 4.73‰, respectively). Overall, the exotic plants S. alterniflora and S. apetala at Qi’ao and S. apetala and L. racemosa at Nansha had an average δ¹⁵N composition significantly higher than that of the native plants A. corniculatum and A. aureum. This suggests that the three exotic plants employ a different mechanism of δ¹⁵N storage and utilisation as compared to the two native mangrove species, which may result in changes in ecological and biogeochemical processes in these coast wetlands.     

Pharmaceutical compounds in aquatic environment in China: locally screening and environmental risk assessment

An environmental risk assessment was performed for pharmaceutical compounds present in the aquatic environment of China. Predicted environmental concentration (PEC) of the compounds were calculated according to European Medicines Evaluation Agency (EMEA) guidelines. Available ecotoxicological data compromised by applying a very conservative assessment factor (AF) were employed to calculate the predicted no-effect concentration (PNEC). The screening principle and the risk assessment were based on risk quotient (RQ), which derived from the PEC and related PNEC values. PEC results indicated that all the compounds except sulfadimethoxine and levocarnitine, should carry out phase II risk assessment in EMEA guideline. RQ values suggested that more than 36 pharmaceuticals may be imposed health threats to the aquatic environment; especially the antibiotic therapeutic class including amoxicillin, sulfasalazine, trimethoprim, oxytetracycline and erythromycin showed high RQ values. These substances with high RQ value (RQ≥1) were regarded as top-priority pharmaceuticals for control in the aquatic environment of China. However, the antibiotic substances which had low risk quotient (RQ <1), should be reassessed by its potentially induced resistance under low concentration in future.     

PPCPs in a drinking water treatment plant in the Yangtze River Delta of China: Occurrence,removal and risk assessment

• 39 PPCPs were investigated at a DWTP using the Yangtze River as its water source. • Grab and continuous sampling were conducted for the comparison of data consistency. • Ketoprofen & carbamazepine can be risk management indicators because of the high RQ. The occurrence and removal of 39 targeted pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) from source water, through a drinking water treatment plant (DWTP) to the water supply station, were investigated around the central part of Yangtze River Delta in China using both grab sampling and continuous sampling. Totally 24 of the 39 targeted PPCPs were detected in raw water, and 12 PPCPs were detected in the finished water. The highest observed concentration was enrofloxacin (85.623 ng/L) in raw water. Removal efficiencies were remarkably negative correlated with log K_ow (r = -0.777, p<0.01) after calibration control of concentration, indicating that more soluble PPCPs are easier to remove by the combined process (prechlorination and flocculation/precipitation), the concentration level also had a great impact on the removal efficiency. The normal process in the pilot DWTP seems to be ineffective for PPCPs control, with the limited removal efficiency of less than 30% for each step: pre-chlorination, flocculation and precipitation, post-chlorination and filter. There were notable differences between the data from continuous sampling and grab sampling, which should be considered for different monitoring purposes. The chlorination and the hydrolytic decomposition of PPCPs in the water supply pipe may attenuate PPCPs concentration in the pipeline network. The PPCPs examined in the effluent of DWTP do not impose a potential health risk to the local consumers due to their RQ value lower than 0.00067.     

珠江口水、沉积物及生物体As含量分布特征及生态风险评价

于2008年2、5、8及11月对珠江口进行了水、沉积物和生物体As含量的调查,分析其分布特征以及进行生态评价。结果表明：珠江口水体中As含量平均值为2.88μg·L-1,符合一类海水水质标准;其中,11月份显著高于其它3个月份(P <0.05)。全年珠江口水体八个河口在地域分布上As平均含量由高到低依次为：虎门、鸡啼门、磨刀门、崖门、洪沥门、蕉门、横门、虎跳门。表层沉积物As含量平均值为38.73 mg·kg-1,沉积物中As含量均超过海洋沉积物质量一类标准,但均未超三类标准。结果显示,表层沉积物横门含量最高,为(70.5±2.0) mg·kg-1,显著高于其它7个口门(P <0.05),而其它7个口门差异不显著。各口门含量从大到小依次为横门、洪沥门、鸡啼门、虎门、崖门、磨刀门、虎跳门、蕉门。表层沉积物地质累积指数评价结果与潜在生态风险系数评价结果一致,横门为中等污染水平,其余站点均为低污染水平。采集代表性生物样品,其中11种鱼类As平均含量为0.587 mg·kg-1,部分受检鱼类超出水产品中有毒有害物质限量要求,超标率为37.8%,肉食性鱼类平均含量要略低于杂食性鱼类,但不同食性和不同生活水层的鱼类As含量差异不显著(P >0.05)。受检生物样品虾的含量为0.314 mg·kg-1,符合水产品中有毒有害物质限量要求。与历年比较发现珠江口水、沉积物和生物体中As含量有上升的趋势,与其它河口相比较发现珠江口As污染在对比的河口和海湾中受污染程度较高。     

珠江三角洲养殖鱼塘水体中重金属污染特征和评估

为了解珠江三角洲主要养殖环境中重金属含量及潜在生态危害程度,用电感藕合等离子质谱法和原子荧光法测定了肇庆、广州、惠州和茂名4市14个样点沉积物中7种元素的水体及底泥总量,并对底泥中主要重金属污染状况及潜在生态风险进行了评价。结果表明：养殖鱼塘水体中Cr质量浓度范围是nd-0.1011 mg·L-1,超标率为7.1%,Cu质量浓度范围为nd-0.1438 mg·L-1,超标率为64.3%,As质量浓度范围是0.0112-0.0812 mg·L-1,超标率为24.1%,Hg质量浓度范围是0.00004-0.00458 mg·L^-1,超标率为35.7%,Pb质量浓度范围为nd-0.0973 mg·L^-1,超标率为6.8%,其余Ni、Zn和Cd质量浓度范围分别为nd-0.0218、nd-0.0232和nd-0.00319 mg·L^-1,均未超渔业水质标准;底泥中重金属元素Cr、Cu、Zn、As、Hg、Cd和Pb的平均值分别为83.86、46.19、242.16、32.38、0.64、1.00和60.06 mg·kg^-1,地积累指数评价结果显示,表层沉积物重金属污染程度顺序为Cd＞Hg＞Zn＞Pb＞As＞Cu＞Cr,其中,Cd污染程度为中-强,是底泥污染最严重的元素。潜在生态风险指数分析,单项潜在生态风险指数生态风险均值排列顺序为 Hg＞As＞Cd＞Pb＞Cu＞Zn＞Cr。对区域综合潜在生态风险指数RI的贡献率最大的元素为Hg、As和Cd。4个市底泥潜在生态风险综合指数（RI）比较,惠州（290.13）＞广州（240.54）＞茂名（193.23）＞肇庆（116.40）。Hg和Cd是该水域污染和潜在生态风险最大的元素。