Distribution of Trace Metals in the Surface Sediments of Two Pristine Subalpine Lakes in Taiwan

Sediment cores were collected from two remote subalpine lakes: the rather shallow (1.5 m) Little Ghost Lake at 2040 m elevation and the deeper, Great Ghost Lake (40 m) at 2150 m elevation. Different early diagenesis of metals were observed. the seasonally anoxic hypolimnion drives the annual iron redox cycle and causes the remobilization of metals in the mobile fractions of sediments in the Great Ghost Lake. These result in the redistribution of metals in the mobile fractions of sediment and poor correlation between metal concentrations. in the Little Ghost Lake, the shallow water column is always oxic with less change of metals in the mobile fractions of sediments. As a result, most metals have strong positive correlations with each other.

The distributions of metal/Al ratios, total metal contents and acid-leached metal concentrations in the near-surface sediments of these two lakes suggest that the anthropogenic inputs from the atmospheric fallouts in recent decades are one of the major factors affecting the distributions of metals such as cadmium, lead and, to a lessor extent, zinc. the Pb-206/Pb-207 ratios confirm the anthropogenic lead input in these surface sediments.     

Geochemical baselines of heavy metals in the sediments of two large freshwater lakes in China: implications for contamination character and history

The aim of this study was to estimate the geochemical baseline concentrations of various heavy metals in the surface sediments of two large freshwater lakes in Taihu and Dianchi, China, and to assess the character and history of heavy metal contamination around the two lakes. Heavy metal concentrations in the sediments were obtained by field surveys and were supplemented with published data. The statistical methods of cumulative frequency and normalization were employed to obtain the baselines. The respective baseline concentrations for As, Sb, Hg, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn were 9.92, 1.67, 0.14, 22.62, 100.56, 31.63, 31.97, 33.05 and 97.01?mg/kg, respectively, in Taihu, and 24.60, 4.29, 0.25, 36.78, 135.68, 90.05, 50.76, 73.56 and 208.76?mg/kg, respectively, in Dianchi. The baseline concentrations of these heavy metals in Lake Taihu were equivalent to the pre-industrial concentrations determined from lakes in Sweden and Europe. Conversely, those in Lake Dianchi were much higher than the pre-industrial values. Li, Fe, Sc, Ti, V and Al were found to be the suitable reference elements for normalization, and one of these elements could be used to predict the baseline concentrations of heavy metals except Hg. Most of the heavy metals had one inflexion, and only Cu and Pb in Taihu, Sb, Pb and Zn in Dianchi, were found to have two inflexions in the cumulative curves, suggesting remarkable anthropogenic inputs of Cu and Pb in Taihu, Sb, Pb and Zn in Dianchi, which are generally consistent with the respective industrial structure around Taihu and Dianchi.     

Sources, spatial variation, and speciation of heavy metals in sediments of the Tamagawa River in Central Japan

Sediments of the Tamagawa River in central Japan were studied to explain the spatial variation, to identify the sources of heavy metals, and to evaluate the anthropogenic influence on these pollutants in the river. Sediment samples were collected from 20 sites along the river (five upstream, four midstream, and 11 downstream). Heavy metal concentrations, viz. chromium, nickel, copper, zinc, lead, cadmium, and molybdenum, in the samples were measured using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy. The chemical speciations of heavy metals in the sediments were identified by the widely used five-step Hall method. Lead isotopes were analyzed to identify what portion is contributed by anthropogenic sources. The total heavy metal concentrations were compared with global averages for continental crust (shale) and average values for Japanese river sediments. The mean heavy metal concentrations were higher in downstream sediments than in upstream and midstream samples, and the concentrations in the silt samples were higher than those in the sand samples. Speciation results demonstrate that, for chromium and nickel, the residual fractions were dominant. These findings imply that the influence of anthropogenic chromium and nickel contamination is negligible, while copper, zinc, and lead were mostly extracted in the non-residual fraction (metals in adsorbed/exchangeable/carbonate forms or bound to amorphous Fe oxyhydroxides, crystalline Fe oxides, or organic matter), indicating that these elements have high chemical mobility. The proportion of lead (Pb) isotopes in the downstream silt samples indicates that Pb accumulation is primarily derived from anthropogenic sources.     

Sources,spatial variation,and speciation of heavy metals in sediments of the Tamagawa River in Central Japan

Sediments of the Tamagawa River in central Japan were studied to explain the spatial variation, to identify the sources of heavy metals, and to evaluate the anthropogenic influence on these pollutants in the river. Sediment samples were collected from 20 sites along the river (five upstream, four midstream, and 11 downstream). Heavy metal concentrations, viz. chromium, nickel, copper, zinc, lead, cadmium, and molybdenum, in the samples were measured using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy. The chemical speciations of heavy metals in the sediments were identified by the widely used five-step Hall method. Lead isotopes were analyzed to identify what portion is contributed by anthropogenic sources. The total heavy metal concentrations were compared with global averages for continental crust (shale) and average values for Japanese river sediments. The mean heavy metal concentrations were higher in downstream sediments than in upstream and midstream samples, and the concentrations in the silt samples were higher than those in the sand samples. Speciation results demonstrate that, for chromium and nickel, the residual fractions were dominant. These findings imply that the influence of anthropogenic chromium and nickel contamination is negligible, while copper, zinc, and lead were mostly extracted in the non-residual fraction (metals in adsorbed/exchangeable/carbonate forms or bound to amorphous Fe oxyhydroxides, crystalline Fe oxides, or organic matter), indicating that these elements have high chemical mobility. The proportion of lead (Pb) isotopes in the downstream silt samples indicates that Pb accumulation is primarily derived from anthropogenic sources.     

Assessment of nutrients and heavy metals enrichment in surface sediments from Taihu Lake,a eutrophic shallow lake in China

Concentrations of the nutrients (TN and TP), phosphorus fractions and heavy metals (Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sr, Ti, V, Zn and Hg) in 40 surface sediment samples collected from Taihu Lake, a eutrophic shallow lake in China, were determined. The results showed that the northwest region of the lake possessed higher concentrations of TN and TP, as well as the similar spatial distribution trend in the water column. This should be related to excessive anthropogenic input from industrial effluents and domestic sewage in surrounding areas. Similarly, the concentrations of P fractions exhibited significant regularity. In addition, except for Sr showing low concentration, the rest of the heavy metals in the surface sediments had two- to four-folds of magnitude of the concentrations compared with the reference values in earth's crust. In the past decade, concentrations of heavy metals had undergone different levels of variations. Principal component analysis (PCA) and enrichment factors (EFs) of the compositional data aiming at heavy metals showed that Taihu Lake was slightly exposing to heavy metal contamination except Sr. High concentrations of heavy metals were ascribed to the discharge of untreated and partially treated industrial waste water via rivers. Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, V and Zn positively correlated with each other (R = 0.78–0.92), that indicated they had analogous sources and/or kindred geochemistry characteristics. Differing from nutrients, randomness in the space indicated that heavy metals had a complex distribution.     

Metal speciation in sediments of polluted and non‐polluted lakes

A five‐step extraction procedure for metal speciation studies (copper, lead, nickel, manganese and zinc) was applied to the analysis of lake sediments characterised by different environmental features. A different partition of metals into the several metal forms was observed. Both the metal fraction sorbed or co‐precipitated on hydrous Mn‐oxides (especially lead and zinc) and that bound to organic matter (especially copper) are high in some samples. A prevalently anthropogenic origin of these metals may be hypothesised on the basis of existing knowledge of the equilibrium and change phenomena occurring among water, particulate and sediments. Conversely, the non‐solubilised forms of metals are abundant in the sediments of lakes that are certainly not polluted. The concentration of manganese is very high in the sediments of Antarctic lakes; sequential extractions show its lithogenic origin. In conclusion, a knowledge of the different types of metal associations in sediments and their percentage can facilitate understanding of both natural and anthropogenic metal enrichment of aquatic systems.     

城市湖泊表层沉积物中的重金属污染现状及其风险评价——以武汉墨水湖为例

水体沉积物中的重金属会对生态系统构成直接和间接的威胁.为了研究工业化、城市化过程中城市湖泊沉积物重金属污染现状及其暴露风险，以武汉市墨水湖为研究对象，测定了5种重金属Zn、Cu、Ni、Pb及Cr在表层沉积物中的含量，分析了其污染程度、分布特征，并对其稳定度进行了分析.结果表明，墨水湖表层沉积物重金属污染程度较重，在所有采样点5种重金属含量均高于最低效应阈值（LEL），多数采样点甚至超过了严重效应阈值（SEL）.该湖泊沉积物中重金属分布具有比较明显的空间差异性：排污口区>湖中心水域>城区岸边带>林田岸边带；其稳定程度依次为：Zn < Cu < Ni < Pb < Cr，其中Zn交换态及碳酸盐结合态比例超过50%，稳定程度极低.而Pb、Cr稳定程度较高，其交换态及碳酸盐结合态比例小于10%.像墨水湖这样受纳高污染负荷市政污水、暴雨径流的城市湖泊，其潜在的重金属生物活性，必须引起足够的重视.     

城市湖泊表层沉积物中的重金属污染现状及其稳定度分析——以武汉墨水湖为例

水体沉积物中的重金属会对生态系统构成直接和间接的威胁.为了研究工业化、城市化过程中城市湖泊沉积物重金属污染程度,以武汉市墨水湖为研究对象,测定了5种重金属Zn、Cu、Ni、Pb及Cr在表层沉积物中的含量,分析了其污染程度、分布特征,并对其稳定度进行了分析.结果表明,墨水湖表层沉积物重金属污染程度较重,在所有采样点5种重金属含量均高于最低效应阈值(LEL),多数采样点甚至超过了严重效应阈值(SEL);该湖泊沉积物中重金属分布具有比较明显的空间差异性:排污口区>湖中心水域>城区岸边带>林田岸边带;其稳定程度依次为:Zn相似文献   

中国东部浅水湖泊沉积物总氮总磷基准阈值研究

受人类活动的影响,东部浅水湖泊沉积物中总氮、总磷负荷很高,当外来污染源得到控制时,底泥中的营养盐会逐渐释放出来,对湖泊水质与生态系统影响很大。为合理削减湖泊内源污染,控制沉积物中营养盐向上覆水体释放,研究制定东部浅水湖泊沉积物总氮、总磷基准阈值,分别测定了100个湖泊的896个表层沉积物样品和8个典型湖泊11个柱芯的沉积物总氮（TN）、总磷（TP）含量,分析了沉积物TN、TP浓度剖面分布特征。通过频度分布法对100个湖泊沉积物总氮总磷的污染状况进行评价,通过背景值比较法确定了8个典型湖泊沉积物的TN、TP背景值。结果表明,100个湖泊的表层沉积物TN浓度范围在479.70~5 573.65 mg·kg-1,TP浓度范围在248.44~1000.33 mg·kg-1,不同湖泊表层沉积物中TN、TP值差异较大。8个典型湖泊沉积物总氮、总磷含量整体上表现出随着深度增加而下降变化趋势,在深层沉积物中含量保持稳定。所调查8个湖泊TN均值为1443.83 mg·kg-1,变化范围为247.45~3719.46 mg·kg-1,各湖泊中TN均值表现为：沱湖〉焦岗湖〉花园湖〉七里湖〉北民湖〉大通湖〉城东湖〉瓦埠湖;TP均值为519.62 mg·kg-1,变化范围为225.41~1944.89 mg·kg-1,各湖泊中TP均值表现为：北民湖〉大通湖〉七里湖〉焦岗湖〉沱湖〉瓦埠湖〉城东湖〉花园湖。不同湖泊沉积物总氮、总磷背景值差异很大。通过对100个湖泊表层沉积物TN、TP的频度分析发现,沉积物营养盐含量上25%点位对应的TP质量浓度398.51mg·kg-1,TN质量浓度为1106.24 mg·kg-1,沉积物营养盐含量下25%点位对应的TP质量浓度664.58 mg·kg-1,TN质量浓度为2916.66 mg·kg-1。通过互相之间的比较分析,推荐采用背景值比较法确定的各湖泊沉积物总氮、总磷背景值均值与频度分步法25%点位对应的总氮值和40%点位对应的总磷值作为东部浅水湖泊沉积物总氮、总磷基准阈值。因此,?     

Fractionation of heavy metals in surface sediments of Taihu Lake, East China

The BCR (European Communities Bureau of Reference) three-step sequential extraction procedure was applied to fractionate heavy metals in the sediment of Taihu Lake. For the determination of total metal concentration of the sediments, sample digestion was achieved by using HF/H2O2/HNO3 (2/1/1) acid mixture in a microwave-irradiated closed vessel system. The concentrations of Cd, Ni, Cr, Zn, Cu and Pb in various extracts solutions were analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES). The results obtained from the BCR three-step sequential extraction indicated relatively high mobility of Zn, Cu, Pb and Ni in the sediments while Cd and Cr were poorly mobile. Enrichment of heavy metals was found in the sediments collected in the northern parts of Taihu Lake. In the sediments collected in the southern and western sides of the Lake, heavy metal concentrations were relatively low. The relationship between total organic carbon (TOC) and heavy metals concentrations in the sediments is discussed.     

人为活动对城市湖泊沉积物重金属污染的影响——以武汉墨水湖为例

人类活动使得大量的重金属向水环境中排放,导致了城市湖泊严重的重金属污染.为了研究中国的工业化、城市化发展对城市水体重金属污染的影响,以武汉墨水湖为例,测定了沉积物中几种常见痕量重金属Zn、Pb、Ni、Cu、Cr的含量和富集系数,并运用主成分分析对重金属的污染来源进行了初步探讨.结果表明,墨水湖表层沉积物重金属污染程度较重,主要受人为输入的影响;5种重金属在全湖区域上具有比较高的富集系数,尤以排污口为甚,排污口是重金属富集的主要区域.主成分分析表明,Pb可能主要来自于暴雨径流面源,而Cr可能主要来自于工矿企业的点源排放,其他3种金属则有着大小相当的点、面源输入贡献。以上结果表明,城市化和工业化进程已经给城市湖泊带来了很高的重金属污染负荷.     

Fractionation of Heavy Metals in Surface Sediments of Taihu Lake, East China

The BCR (European Communities Bureau of Reference) three-step sequential extraction procedure was applied to fractionate heavy metals in the sediment of Taihu Lake. For the determination of total metal concentration of the sediments, sample digestion was achieved by using HF/H₂O₂/HNO₃(2/1/1) acid mixture in a microwave-irradiated closed vessel system. The concentrations of Cd, Ni, Cr, Zn, Cu and Pb in various extracts solutions were analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES). The results obtained from the BCR three-step sequential extraction indicated relatively high mobility of Zn, Cu, Pb and Ni in the sediments while Cd and Cr were poorly mobile. Enrichment of heavy metals was found in the sediments collected in the northern parts of Taihu Lake. In the sediments collected in the southern and western sides of the Lake, heavy metal concentrations were relatively low. The relationship between total organic carbon (TOC) and heavy metals concentrations in the sediments is discussed.     

中国三个不同富营养化湖泊沉积物中Cu、Zn赋存特征及其与营养盐的相关性分析

对太湖、南四湖、白洋淀三个不同富营养化湖泊沉积物进行采样,采用Tessier连续提取法,测定了3个湖泊表层沉积物中Cu、Zn两种重金属的赋存形态,并初步探讨了重金属各形态与沉积物及上覆水中营养盐的相关关系。结果表明,沉积物中重金属总量以白洋淀最高,太湖最低,但重金属污染程度为太湖＆gt;南四湖＆gt;白洋淀,太湖Cu污染指数为1.34~1.6,白洋淀Cu污染指数仅为0.79~1.17。沉积物中重金属赋存形态Cu主要以残渣态和有机质结合态为主（二者之和占73%以上）, Zn则以残渣态和Fe-Mn氧化态占优（二者之和比例达83%以上）,含量最少的均为可交换态。不同湖泊沉积物重金属赋存形态差异较大,太湖残渣态重金属占总量的比例最小（Cu为43%~56%,Zn为49%~63%）,南四湖残渣态占的比例最大（Cu为59%~82%、Zn为64%~77%）;可交换态比重在太湖中最高（Cu占3.2%~5.6%,Zn为1.3%~1.5%）,在南四湖中最低（Cu为1.1%~2.9%,Zn未检出）。从“非稳定态”重金属（除残渣态外的四种形态之和）所占比例看,相较其它两个湖泊,太湖沉积物中重金属污染人为输入的活性态占较大比重,具有较高的二次释放风险。相关性分析得出,重金属Cu的可交换态与上覆水中总氮及总磷之间存在着极显著的正相关关系,碳酸盐结合态Cu与沉积物中营养盐呈现出显著的负相关性,说明水体的富营养化程度加剧可能会增强沉积物中Cu向水体释放的风险。     

Historical metal concentrations in lacustrine food webs revealed using fossil ephippia from Daphnia.

Metal contamination of freshwater ecosystems is increasingly prevalent due to anthropogenic activities such as metal smelting and fossil fuel combustion. While toxicological studies focus on aqueous metal concentrations that result in lethal or sublethal responses, currently the only method for reconstructing a lake's metal contamination history is through an examination of the sedimentary deposits. In this paper, we suggest that cladoceran diapausing eggs (ephippia), which are abundant in nature and accumulate maternally derived metals, can be used to measure historical variations in biologically relevant metals that derive from the water column (water, diet). Linear regressions of total metal content against ephippia density or mass were strong (R2 > 0.80, P < 0.04) and revealed that metals were incorporated into ephippia with little contamination from the sediment matrix. Comparison of metal concentrations in ephippia and bulk sediments from three lakes demonstrated that some metals associated with urban sources (Cd, Cr, Mo) were preferentially concentrated in ephippia, whereas concentrations of other metals indicating landscape erosion (Al, Ca, Fe, Mn) exhibited greater concentrations in bulk sediments than in diapausing eggs. Because historical changes in metals within fossils and bulk sediments were uncorrelated in most instances, past variation in the metal content of ephippia provided a unique history of food web exposure to metals in the water column.     

Total and Extractable Trace Elements in Lebanese River Sediments: Dry Season Data

Years of political instability have left Lebanon with significant gaps in environmental knowledge. This paper reports new results for trace metals in bed sediments of the river Nahr-lbrahim. The drainage basin of the river Nahr-lbrahim is largely floored by karstified limestone. Metal pollution is operative within the catchment. The objectives of this study were first to identify possible sources of metals (geological and/or anthropogenic) and then to characterise the chemical partitioning of the metals in the sediments. Bed load sediments were sampled at five locations along a 13km stretch from the river mouth, during the dry season. Samples were collected on two dates, dried and then sieved into three mechanical fractions. We report total Fe, Cu, Pb and Zn contents of the <75m sediment fraction for the dry season and interpret the results in terms of geology and point and non-point discharges to the river. Total metal contents were derived from summing the concentrations of metals in the chemical fractions of the sediments. A sequential chemical extraction procedure was applied to the <75m fraction and the data showed that, except for Fe, the carbonate fraction had the largest role in metal sediment deposition.     

Distribution of metals in mechanical fractions of soils from a lake catchment in Venezuela

Soil samples were collected from both the surface and at depth from the lowlands around Lake Valencia and from the adjacent mountains. This paper reports results for Al, Ca, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb and Zn in mechanical fractions of the soils. Lowland soils, developed on lacustrine sediments, show a predominance of medium- to fine-grain size fractions whereas the shallow mountain soils show the highest percentage of particles in the coarse to medium fractions. Concentrations of most of the elements investigated increased toward finer particle sizes. The generally higher metal concentrations in lowland soils compared with mountain soils are consistent with release by weathering in the uplands and accumulation in the lowlands. The presence of carbonates derived from ubiquitous shelly material in the lowland soils may explain increases of Ca and Mg in labile fractions. In the lowland area, there is little evidence for the translocation of metals in the soil profiles, despite the high rainfall of a tropical climate, and the calcareous nature of these soils could account for the immobility of metals.     

Metal distribution in sediments from the Adriatic Sea

Total metal concentrations (Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, Fe, and Mn) and their distribution in different chemical forms (speciation) were determined in sediments from the Adriatic Sea in order to evaluate contamination and mobility of metals. The study was carried out on marine sediments collected in two areas of the Adriatic Sea differently influenced by Po river waters. Metal distribution in the study area depends prevalently on water circulation and on organic matter distribution. Among metal levels, significant correlations between copper and zinc and between lead and nickel were found, suggesting common and specific sources. As regards metal speciation, the distribution of different chemical forms changes with the metal. The prevailing zinc phases, for example mobile forms, and sulphide together are greater than 50% of total metal. Nickel is mainly present in sediments as sulphide, and the preferential association of copper with organic matter is evident. Lead and manganese are preferentially found as mobile forms (more of 30% for lead, 40% or more for manganese).     

Geochemical distribution,bioavailability and potential toxicity of some trace metals in a complex micro-tidal estuary,Southwest India

The spatial and temporal variations of some trace metals in the surface sediments of Cochin Estuary were analyzed along with their geochemical associations to identify the possible sources, bioavailability and the health risks posed by them. The dominance of kaolinite and suggested that clay minerals distribution is influenced by sediment sorting. Total metal analysis revealed enrichment for Cd, Pb and Zn due to anthropogenic activities. The speciation analysis established that notwithstanding the large availability, carbonate as well as organic and sulfides bound fractions showed negligible associations with most of the metals. Hydrous Fe–Mn oxides appeared to play a major role in controlling the fate and transport of these metals in the sediments of Cochin Estuary. Lower contribution of the residual fractions for Cd (21%–26%), Pb (<60%) and Zn (24%–42%) indicated an obvious increase of other geochemical fractions. Risk assessment analysis revealed that regardless of total concentration, none of the analyzed metals were at safe levels in the estuary as appreciable percentages were found to be associated with mobile geochemical forms. The speciation study conspicuously established that the metals originating from non-geogenic sources are largely associated with the labile fractions and hence are more detrimental to the aquatic biota.     

Geochemical speciation of trace metals in sediments of the northern Nile Delta Lake by sequential extraction technique

ABSTRACT

The present study was performed to investigate surface sediment samples from Lake Edku of the Nile Delta Lagoons, Egypt. The Lake is important for fishing in the region. The importance of research is to understand the mobility and bioavailability of each studied metal. The study was carried out on 10 sampling sites during 2017. The sediments were subjected to the technique of sequential extraction to examine the chemical forms of some trace metals (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb and Ni). Five stage extractions were done as the following order: soluble and exchangeable, carbonate, iron and manganese oxides, organic matter fraction and residual fraction. Attained results from the five fractions showed variations in the concentrations of metal contents of different sites under study. The overall metal concentrations (%) in the initial four extractable fractions (exchangeable, carbonate, oxides and organic matter fractions) were assessed to configure the mobility of each studied metal. The risk assessment code (RAC) represents the summation of exchangeable and carbonate fractions, it was between low and medium risk for aquatic environment. The range percentage of RAC for the metals was in the following order: 1.8–13, 4–23.5, 15–26, 5.7–19.5, 9–25 and 4.8–18.2 for Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb and Ni, respectively. Approximately 30% of the total copper was associated to the organic fraction, which may represent a high mobility of copper in these sediments. The highest mobility of metals in the sediments could be confirmed by its bioavailability factor (BF), which was within the ranges of 0.32–0.61, 0.36–0.59, 0.64–0.83, 0.36–0.72, 0.37–0.62 and 0.52–0.78 for Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb and Ni, respectively. The BF exhibited the following order: Zn > Ni > Cu > Pb ≈ Mn?>?Fe. The high levels of BF for the studied metals may represent the potentiality for toxic metals to be easily released into the aquatic environment.     

A century-long trend of metal pollution in the Sheyang River,on the coast of Jiangsu (China), reconstructed from sedimentary record

In order to reveal the historical context of metal element accumulation under the economic boom during the last decades in eastern China, concentrations of nine metal elements, radionuclides (²¹⁰Pb), Pb isotope ratios (²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb) and sedimentary characteristics were investigated in two sediment cores collected from the Sheyang River. The sediments have recorded the heavy metal deposition and thus allow establishing a connection between the temporal evolution of the heavy metal pollution and historical changes in industrial and urban discharges. Enrichment factors (EFs) were calculated to estimate the level of contamination in these sediments. A significant anthropogenic enrichment of Cu, Ni, Pb, Cr and Zn was highlighted, which were identified from anthropogenic discharges from cities and industrial sources, according to a cluster analysis. According to the annual variation in GDP growth rate, industrial growth rate, ratio of ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb and EFs, it was obvious that sedimentary accumulation of metals has a close relationship with anthropogenic activities. In the pre-industrial period, natural inputs prevailed with lower EF and constant ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb ratios around 0.82. However, during 1980–1995, the rapid industrial development caused a gradual increase in EFs and ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb (>0.83). Our results disinterred the evolution of anthropogenic metal inputs in the last century into the Sheyang River.