Spatial distribution of polychlorinated biphenyls in High Tatras lake sediments

The objective of the present study was to gain insight on the spatial distribution of seven polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners in the High Tatras mountain range in Eastern Europe. Twenty high mountain lakes were sampled on their top-core sediment. Despite the relative uniform composition of PCB congeners among the lakes, there are important differences in the observed concentrations. Moderate top-core sediment concentrations of PCB congeners were observed (1.9 to 38 ng/g dw for ∑PCB) in comparison to other high mountain or Arctic areas. The variation in PCB concentrations can partly be explained by a possible altitudinal effect, resulting in higher PCB concentrations at higher (colder) altitudes. Part of this enhanced accumulation of PCBs could be caused by external factors (topography and meteorology) and internal lake factors (sediment dynamics). Many of these factors were not quantified for all individual lakes and their influence could, therefore, only be studied for some.     

巢湖表层沉积物中重金属的分布特征及其污染评价

以巢湖表层沉积物为研究对象,利用BCR连续提取法研究了沉积物中Cr、Co、Ni、Cu、Cd、Zn、V和Pb等8种重金属元素的分布特征,同时运用潜在风险指数法和地累积指数法综合评价了巢湖沉积物中重金属的生态风险。结果表明,巢湖沉积物中的重金属含量在空间上表现出东西高、中间低的分布特征。巢湖表层沉积物中Cr、Co、Ni、V和Cu 5种重金属都主要以残渣态为主,Zn和Cd主要以弱酸提取态为主,Pb以可还原态为主,同时,Co和Cu 2种元素的可交换态及可还原态含量占有较高比例,具有潜在危害性。相关性分析显示,Cr、Cu、Pb、Ni、Zn和Cd 6种重金属元素的来源和分布可能具有相似性,Co和V 2种重金属元素具有相似的地球化学行为且其主要来源可能与其他几种重金属不同。潜在生态风险指数评价结果表明,巢湖表层沉积物中8种重金属元素构成的生态危害顺序为:Cd>Pb>Co>Cu>Ni>Zn>V>Cr,Cd具有高的生态危害等级,其他7种重金属元素均为低生态危害等级。地累积指数法评价结果表明:巢湖沉积物重金属元素的富集程度为Cd>Zn>Pb>Co>Cu>V>Ni>Cr,Cr属于清洁级别,Co、Cu、V和Ni处于轻度污染水平,Zn和Pb处于偏中度污染,Cd达到了重污染水平。     

Current status and historical variations of phthalate ester (PAE) contamination in the sediments from a large Chinese lake (Lake Chaohu)

The residual levels of phthalate esters (PAEs) in the surface and two core sediments from Lake Chaohu were measured with a gas chromatograph–mass spectrometer (GC–MS). The temporal–spatial distributions, compositions of PAEs, and their effecting factors were investigated. The results indicated that di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP), diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP), and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) were three dominant PAE components in both the surface and core sediments. The residual level of total detected PAEs (∑PAEs) in the surface sediments (2.146?±?2.255 μg/g dw) was lower than that in the western core sediments (10.615?±?9.733 μg/g) and in the eastern core sediments (5.109?±?4.741 μg/g). The average content of ∑PAEs in the surface sediments from the inflow rivers (4.128?±?1.738 μg/g dw) was an order of magnitude higher than those from the lake (0.323?±?0.093 μg/g dw), and there were similar PAE compositions between the lake and inflow rivers. This finding means that there were important effects of PAE input from the inflow rivers on the compositions and distributions of PAEs in the surface sediments. An increasing trend was found for the residual levels of ΣPAEs, DnBP, and DIBP from the bottom to the surface in both the western and eastern core sediments. Increasing PAE usage with the population growth, urbanization, and industrial and agricultural development in Lake Chaohu watershed would result in the increasing production of PAEs and their resulting presence in the sediments. The significant positive relationships were also found between the PAE contents and the percentage of sand particles, as well as TOC contents in the sediment cores.     

Occurrence and possible sources of polychlorinated biphenyls in surface sediments from the Wuhan reach of the Yangtze River, China

Twenty-seven surface sediment samples were collected from the mainstream and eight tributaries of the Wuhan reach of the Yangtze River, China, in 2005, in order to assess the distribution, possible sources, and potential risk of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the environment. The total concentrations of PCBs (the sum of 39 congeners) ranged from 1.2 to 45.1 ng g⁻¹ dry weight, with a mean value of 9.2 ng g⁻¹. Sediment samples with the highest PCB concentrations came from the tributary sites, which are closer to PCB sources. Conversely, PCB concentrations in the sediment from the mainstream sites of Yangtze River were relatively low. The observed PCB levels were higher than those found in the sediments of other rivers in China, but lower than those in river sediments from other urban areas and harbors around the world. Low-chlorinated PCBs, dominated by tetra-PCBs and penta-PCBs, were identified as being prevalent in the surface sediments. Correlation analyses between the PCBs and the geochemistry and heavy metal content of the sediments suggest that the washing of these compounds from the land into the river by floods and heavy rains, or industrial wastewater and domestic sewage, may be the major sources of the PCBs. According to established sediment quality guidelines, the risk of adverse biological effects from the levels of PCBs recorded at most of the studied sites should be insignificant, although the higher concentrations at other sites could cause acute biological damage.     

Organic phosphorus species in surface sediments of a large,shallow, eutrophic lake,Lake Taihu,China

Organic phosphorus (P) fractions in surface sediments from a large shallow, eutrophic Lake Taihu, China, were extracted with 0.1 M NaOH after pre-treatment of the sediments with a solution composed of 0.1 M EDTA and 2% (w/v) Na₂S₂O₄. Composition of organic P in the extracts was then characterized by ³¹P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (³¹P NMR). Several P species, including phosphonates, orthophosphate, orthophosphate monoesters, phospholipids, DNA, pyrophosphate and polyphosphate, were detected in the NaOH extracts. The proportion of extracted organic P to total P in sediments was negatively correlated with total P in the water column, as were the proportions for orthophosphate monoesters and DNA. This implies that the majority of organic P in surface sediments is likely stabilized in some way, and does not directly contribute to the internal loading of P from sediments.     

Occurrence of polychlorinated naphthalenes, polychlorinated biphenyls and short-chain chlorinated paraffins in marine sediments from Barcelona (Spain)

Polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs), short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were analysed in marine sediment samples collected from the coastal area of Barcelona (Spain) and near of a submarine emissary coming from a waste water treatment plant located at the mouth of the Besòs River (Barcelona). An integrated sample treatment based on Soxhlet extraction followed by a simple clean-up with Florisil and graphitized carbon cartridge was employed. Gas chromatography coupled to ion-trap tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in electron capture negative ionization mode, were used for PCN and SCCP determinations, respectively, while for PCB analysis gas chromatography with electron capture detection (GC-ECD) was used. The method developed provided low limits of detection (0.001-0.003 ng g(-1) dry weight (dw) for PCNs, 1.8 ng g(-1) for SCCPs and 0.006-0.014 ng g(-1)dw for PCBs) and good run-to-run precisions (lower than RSD 8%) for the analysis of sediment samples. Concentration levels ranging from 0.17 to 3.27 ng g(-1)dw for PCNs, between 0.21 and 1.17 microg g(-1)dw for SCCPs, and from 2.33 to 44.00 ng g(-1) (dw) for PCBs, were found in the coastal sediments, while for samples collected near to the submarine emissary higher levels (from 2.02 to 6.56 ng g(-1)dw for PCNs, between 1.25 and 2.09 microg g(-1)dw for SCCPs and from 22.34 to 37.74 ng g(-1)dw for PCBs) were obtained. The results obtained provide new data about the occurrence of PCN and SCCP in the coastal area of Barcelona.     

The residues, distribution, and partition of organochlorine pesticides in the water, suspended solids, and sediments from a large Chinese lake (Lake Chaohu) during the high water level period

The levels of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in the water, suspended solids, and sediments from Lake Chaohu during the high water level period were measured by a solid-phase extraction gas chromatograph–electron capture detector. The spatial distributions of the three phases and the water/suspended solids and sediment/water partition coefficients were analyzed. The results showed the following: (1) The mean contents of OCPs in the water, suspended solids, and sediments were 132.4?±?432.1 ng/L, 188.1?±?286.7 ng/g dry weight (dw), and 13.7?±?9.8 ng/g dw, respectively. The dominant OCP components were isodrin (85.1 %) for the water, DDTs (64.4 %) for the suspended solids, and both isodrin (48.5 %) and DDTs (31.8 %) for the sediments. (2) β-HCH was the primary isomer of HCHs in the water and sediments, and the proportions were 61.7 and 41.3 %; γ-HCH was the primary isomer in the suspended solids, accounting for 49.3 %; p,p′-DDT was the dominant content of DDTs in the water and suspended solids, whereas p,p′-DDD was the main metabolite of DDTs in the sediments. (3) The concentrations of contaminants in the water from the western lake were greater than those from the eastern lake, but the concentrations in the suspended solids from the western lake were less than those from the eastern lake. (4) There was no significant correlation between the water–suspended solids partition coefficient K _d and the n-octanol–water partition coefficient K _ow, and between the sediment–water organic-C weighted sorption coefficients K _oc and K _ow.     

Heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and polychlorinated biphenyls in surface sediments of the Naples harbour (southern Italy)

The Naples's harbour is one of the largest and most important commercial and tourist port of the Mediterranean basin. It is located on the southeast coast of Italy and receives industrial and municipal wastewaters from the city of Naples. Due to its social and economic impact, a comprehensive assessment of levels and sources of contamination of bottom sediments in this area of the Mediterranean basin is essential to identify potential danger due to mobilization of contaminants produced by managing of the same sediments. In this study, superficial sediments collected from 189 sampling sites were analyzed for grain size, heavy metals (Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, V, Zn, Co, Sn, Cd, Hg, As, Al and Fe), 16 priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and perylene and 38 individual polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners. Compared to the estimated local background, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, Sn and Hg show enrichment factors >3 and only Hg evidences a median value higher than the NOAA (effects range - median) guidelines. Principal component analysis allowed us to clearly discriminate two areas mainly affected by heavy metals contamination and influenced by different sources related to industrial, commercial and/or urban activities. Priority PAHs are predominantly represented by three-five-ring compounds with concentrations ranging between 9 and 31774 ng g(-1) and frequently higher than the NOAA ER-M index. A prevalent pyrolitic origin of PAH was assessed on the basis of the relative abundance of the different congeners and selected isomer ratios. The concentrations of PCBs, as sum of the 38 congeners, ranged from 1 to 899 ng g(-1), with a predominance of highly chlorinated (tetra- and penta-chlorobiphenyls) congeners. WHO-TEQ values, calculated for the PCDD-like PCB congeners, suggest a relatively high level of toxicity. Generally, the concentration of PAHs and PCBs were higher near the sites of intense industrial, shipping and/or commercial activities suggesting a direct influence of these sources on the pollutant distribution patterns.     

Occurrence and sources of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls in surficial sediments of Lakes Superior and Huron

Concentrations and congener profile patterns of 2378-substituted PCDD/Fs and DLPCBs in offshore, nearshore and tributary sediments of Lakes Superior and Huron are reported, and spatial trends and source contributions assessed. PCDD/F concentrations ranged from 5 to 18 000 pg/g dw (Lake Superior) and 3 to 6100 pg/g dw (Lake Huron); DLPCBs ranged from 9 to 11 000 pg/g dw (Lake Superior) and 9 to 27 000 pg/g dw (Lake Huron). Our analysis indicated atmospheric deposition is a primary source to depositional areas of both lakes; however, greater PCDD/F and DLPCB concentrations were observed at several nearshore and tributary sites, and were attributed to corresponding land use in the watershed. Statistical analysis and pattern comparison suggested that industrial inputs mainly associated with wood treatment plants, pulp and paper mills, mining operations, and chlorine-based chemical manufacturing also contributed to contamination by PCDD/Fs and DLPCBs in certain nearshore and offshore areas of Lakes Superior and Huron.     

Variations of alkaline phosphatase activity and P fractions in sediments of a shallow Chinese eutrophic lake (Lake Taihu)

The distribution of alkaline phosphatase activity (APA) and P fractions in sediment cores and the relationship between them were studied in a shallow Chinese freshwater lake (Lake Taihu). Sediment cores were collected from four sites, characterized by different degrees of eutrophication in June 2004. Sediment P was fractionated into Fe/Al-P, Ca-P, organic P (OP), inorganic P (IP) and total P (TP). The former two species made the largest contribution to the sediment P pool. Results show that trophic status and hydrological conditions have great impact on the APA of the sediments. The order of the APA in sediments was conjectured to be: macrophyte dominated lake>transitional lake>algal dominated lake. APA profiles follow a similar downcore decreasing trend. There was a positive relationship between the APA and the TP, IP. The multiple linear regression equation of the APA and P fractions is: APA=-97+0.768TP-0.985Fe/Al-P.     

Occurrence of polybrominated diphenylethers, polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans and biphenyls in coastal sediments from Spain

Fifteen sediment samples were analysed in order to determine their content of polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and biphenyls (PCBs). Samples were collected from several hot spots on the Spanish coast, such as the harbours of Almeria and Tarragona, and the mouths of the Besos and Llobregat rivers in Barcelona. A generic analytical procedure based on Soxhlet extraction followed by an automated cleanup system and gas chromatography-ion trap-mass spectrometry was employed for determining the toxic congeners of PCDDs and PCDFs, as well as dioxin-like PCBs. As regards PBDE determinations, a rapid method based on the use of selective pressurized liquid extraction followed by gas chromatography-negative ion chemical ionization-mass spectrometry was applied. Total toxicity equivalent (WHO-TEQ) values were calculated using the toxicity equivalent factors proposed by WHO for dioxin-like PCBs, PCDDs and PCDFs. WHO-TEQ values ranged from 0.3 to 75 pg/g dry weight (dw), with PCB contribution on the toxicity of the samples between 1 and 84%. Total PBDE levels ranged from 2.7 to 134 ng/g dw, with BDE-209 contribution on the total PBDE contamination between 50 and 99%.     

Assessment of heavy metal content,distribution, and sources in Nansi Lake sediments,China

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Much attention has been paid to the heavy metal contamination of lake sediments in rapidly developing regions. In this study, heavy metal (Cd, Cr, Co,...     

Occurrence of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) together with sediment properties in the surface sediments of the Bering Sea, Chukchi Sea and Canada Basin

The spatial distribution and potential source of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in surface sediments from Bering Sea, Chukchi Sea, and Canada Basin and the relationship between PCBs and sedimentary properties including grain size, water content, loss on ignition, total organic carbon, and black carbon were explored. ΣPCBs (the sum of the detected PCB congeners) concentrations fluctuated in the study area, ranging from 22-150, 60-640 and 24-600 pg g(-1) dry weight for the Bering Sea, Chukchi Sea, and Canada Basin. A similar homologue pattern was observed at different locations, with tri-chlorinated PCBs being the dominant homologue, implying that the PCBs came mainly from the atmospheric transportation and deposition and ocean current transportation. No apparent co-relationships between PCB concentrations and sediment properties were obtained, indicating that the distribution of PCBs was not only controlled by their source, but also by the multi-factors such as atmospheric transport and depositing, mixing, partitioning and sorption in the water column and sediments.     

Occurrence,compositional distribution,and toxicity assessment of pyrethroid insecticides in sediments from the fluvial systems of Chaohu Lake,Eastern China

Surface sediment-associated synthetic pyrethroid insecticides (SPs) are known to pose high risks to the benthic organisms in Chaohu Lake, a shallow lake of Eastern China. However, the pollution status of the lake’s tributaries and estuaries is still unknown. The present study was conducted to investigate the occurrence, compositional distribution, and toxicity of 12 currently used SPs in the surface sediments from four important tributaries, as well as in the sediment cores at their estuaries, using GC-MS for quantification. All SPs selected were detectable, with cypermethrin, es/fenvalerate, and permethrin dominant in both surface and core sediments, suggesting that these compounds were extensively applied. Urban samples contained the highest summed concentrations of the 12 SPs analyzed (Σ₁₂SP) in both surface and core sediments compared with rural samples, suggesting that urban areas near aquatic environments posed high risks for SPs. The mean concentration of Σ₁₂SP in surface sediments of each river was generally higher than that found in core sediments from its corresponding estuary, perhaps implying recent increases in SP usage. Surface sediments were significantly dominated by cypermethrin and permethrin, whereas core sediments were dominated by permethrin and es/fenvalerate. The compositional distributions demonstrated a spatial variation for surface sediments because urban sediments generally contained greater percentages of permethrin and cypermethrin, but rural sediments had significant levels of es/fenvalerate and cypermethrin. In all sediment cores, the percentage of permethrin gradually increased, whereas es/fenvalerate tended to decrease, from the bottom sediments to the top, indicating that the former represented fresh input, whereas the latter represented historical residue. Most urban samples would be expected to be highly toxic to benthic organisms due to the residue of SPs based on a calculation of toxic units (TUs) using toxicity data of the amphipod Hyalella azteca. However, low TU values were found for the samples from rural areas. These results indicate that the bottom sediments were exposed to high risk largely by the residual SPs from urban areas. The summed TUs were mostly attributable to cypermethrin, followed by λ-cyhalothrin and es/fenvalerate. Despite permethrin contributing ～28.7 % of the Σ₁₂SP concentration, it only represented 6.34 % of the summed TUs. Therefore, our results suggest that high levels of urbanization can increase the accumulation of SPs in aquatic environments.     

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) in surface sediments from Monastir Bay (Tunisia,Central Mediterranean): Occurrence,distribution and seasonal variations

An assessment of PCB and PBDE contamination of surface sediments in Monastir Bay was carried out in two contrasted seasons of the year. Samples were collected from 5 sites and analyzed for the ∑₇ marker PCBs (i.e. PCBs 28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153 and 180) and ∑₄ PBDE congeners (PBDEs 47, 99, 119 and 153) by GC/ECD. Concentrations of both PCBs and PBDEs showed seasonal variations. PCB concentrations were in the range of 3.1–9.3 ng g⁻¹ and 1.1–8.1 ng g⁻¹ in wet and dry season respectively, and sediments were considered moderately contaminated with PCBs. All PCBs analyzed were detected in surface sediments. PCB 153 and 52 congeners showed the highest relative abundance in both winter and summer. PBDE concentrations ranged from not detect to 0.1 ng g⁻¹, with only BDE-47 congener detected in sediments and only in winter. Analysis of spatial and seasonal variations indicated that PCB distribution is governed by hydrodynamics and temporal variability of inputs. While the PCB contamination appeared to be mainly land-based, PBDEs are suspected to originate from atmospheric deposition.     

Distribution and ecological risk of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in surface sediments from the Bizerte lagoon,Tunisia

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) were determined in 18 surface sediment samples collected from Bizerte lagoon, Tunisia. The total concentrations of ten PCBs (∑PCBs) and of four OCPs (∑OCPs) in the sediments from this area ranged from 0.8 to 14.6 ng g^?1 dw (average value, 3.9 ng g^?1 dw) and from 1.1 to 14.0 ng g^?1 dw (average value, 3.3 ng g^?1 dw), respectively. Among the OCPs, the range of concentrations of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and its metabolites (DDTs) and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) were 0.3–11.5 ng g^?1 dw (1.9 ng g^?1 dw) and 0.6–2.5 ng g^?1 dw (1.4 ng g^?1 dw), respectively. Compositional analyses of the POPs indicated that PCB 153, 138 and 180 were the predominant congeners accounting for 60 % of the total PCBs. In addition, p,p′-DDT was found to be the dominant DDTs, demonstrating recent inputs in the environment. Compared with some other regions of the world, the Bizerte lagoon exhibited low levels of PCBs and moderate levels of HCB and DDTs. The high ratios ΣPCBs/ΣDDTs indicated predominant industrial versus agricultural activities in this area. According to the established guidelines for sediment quality, the risk of adverse biological effects from such levels of OCPs and PCBs, as recorded at most of the study sites, was insignificant. However, the higher concentrations in stations S1 and S3 could cause biological damage.     

Accelerated delivery of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in recent sediments near a large seabird colony in Arctic Canada

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were measured in sediment cores from ponds located near a large seabird colony at Cape Vera, Devon Island, Arctic Canada. Surface sediment PCB concentrations were ∼5× greater in seabird-affected sites relative to a nearby control pond and were correlated with independent indicators of seabird activity including, sedimentary δ¹⁵N and lakewater chlorophyll a and cadmium concentrations. PCB fluxes were amongst the highest recorded from the High Arctic, ranging from 290 to 2400 ng m⁻² yr⁻¹. Despite a widespread ban of PCBs in the mid-1970s, PCB accumulation rates in our cores increased, with the highest values recorded in the most recent sediments. Possible mechanisms for the recent PCB increases include a vertical flux step driven by seabird-delivered nutrients and/or delayed loading of PCBs from the catchment into the ponds. The high PCB levels recorded in the seabird-affected sites suggest that seabird colonies are exposing coastal ecosystems to elevated levels of contaminants.     

乌梁素海表层沉积物重金属与营养元素含量的统计分析

对乌梁素海表层沉积物营养盐与重金属的分布情况进行研究,应用SPSS统计分析软件对乌梁素海表层沉积物重金属与营养元素进行相关分析和因子分析,并对重金属元素进行聚类分析。营养元素与重金属间的相关分析表明：重金属元素Cu、Cr、Pb和Cd相互间具有极显著的正相关性;有机质与As和Hg呈极显著的正相关;总氮与Hg呈极显著相关,与As呈显著相关,而与Pb呈极显著负相关,与Cd呈显著负相关;总磷与As呈显著负相关。重金属元素间的R-型聚类分析结果将本论文研究的9种金属元素分为3类。采用主成分分析法对乌梁素海表层沉积物重金属与营养元素进行因子分析,得到4个因子,并进一步分析讨论了各主成分的科学内涵。     

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/furans and polychlorinated biphenyls in sediments and aquatic organisms from the Taihu Lake, China

Sediments at 16 sites and muscles of four aquatic species collected in Taihu Lake were analyzed for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) by HRGC/HRMS. The concentrations of total PCDD/Fs, PCBs and WHO-TEQ were 120.1-1315.1pg/gdw, 889.7-29747.8pg/gdw, and 0.83-17.72pgTEQ/gdw, respectively in sediments; and those in muscles were 5.49-35.84pg/gww, 1517.10-27647.98pg/gww, and 0.52-3.83pgTEQ/gww respectively. The concentrations of PCDD/Fs and PCBs in the sediments were decreasing gradually along the water flow. The pollution levels were compared with other studies and the possible sources were discussed.     

Concentrations,spatial distribution,and pollution assessment of heavy metals in surficial sediments from upstream of Yellow River,China

Surface sediments were collected from 122 sites in the upstream of the Yellow River, China. The concentration of Fe, Mn, Cu, Ni, Zn, Cr, Pb, and Cd in sediments was investigated to explore the spatial distribution based on statistics and interpolation method. The results suggested that the concentrations of heavy metals were lower than potential effect levels (PEL). The samples above threshold effect level (TEL) for Pb and Zn were less than 10%, while almost 50% of samples for Ni exceeded PEL. Pb and Zn in sediments performed little or no adverse effects on the aquatic ecosystems. Higher concentrations of all heavy metals occurred in Qinghai and Gansu sections; the concentrations of Cu, Ni, and Zn were significantly higher than the Inner Mongolia section. Lower concentration of Fe, Mn, Cu, Ni, and Zn appeared in Qinghai section; the concentrations of Fe, Mn, Cr, and Pb manifested relatively steady and similar distributions and approximately decreasing tendency along the upstream of Yellow River.