spatial analysis of herbicide decay rates in louisiana

This analysis presents results based on a five-yearstudy recently supported by the Louisiana Departmentof Transportation and Development (DOTD) in which theacute toxicity, fate and effect of herbicide mixtureson human health and the environment were assessed. Three sites were routinely sprayed by DOTD to killweeds along the roadsides. Two herbicide mixtures wereused, 2,4-D and Roundup, and Garlon 3A and Roundup.Water, vegetation, soil and sediment samples werecollected quarterly for three years and were analyzedfor pesticide content to study the fate and impact ofherbicides in the environment. Results indicate acorrelation between soil type, herbicide type, andpersistence of the herbicide in the environment. Usingthe correlations found in these data, spatial analysisidentified areas where herbicide use may potentiallycause surface water and sediment contamination, basedon soil composition/properties, type of herbicideapplied, and proximity of water bodies to sprayed areas.     

Distribution of mercury and organic matter in particle-size classes in sediments contaminated by a waste water treatment plant: Vidy Bay, Lake Geneva, Switzerland

In Lake Geneva, Switzerland, the most Hg-contaminated sediments have been found in the Vidy Bay where high Hg contents largely exceeds the background levels of Lake Geneva sediments. This contamination has been attributed to the discharge of a waste water treatment plant (WWTP). Total Hg (THg) and monomethylmercury (MMHg) were determined in bulk sediment and in three different grain size fractions (i: clay and silt, ii: fine-coarse sand, iii: and very coarse sand and gravel) collected close to the outlet pipe of a WWTP in order to verify whether the standardized procedures of sediment treatment is adequate for this setting and, by extension, for similar contaminated sites. THg was homogeneously distributed in the different grain size fractions and was correlated to organic matter content (R(2) = 0.6). MMHg was homogeneously distributed in the two finer grain fractions (Φ < 0.063 mm; 0.063 mm < Φ <1 mm). The results of this study suggested that the analysis of the bulk sediment seems to be more appropriate for the assessment of the content and spatial distribution of Hg in freshwater sediments contaminated by WWTPs.     

Results from the NOAA National Status and Trends Program on distribution and effects of chemical contamination in the coastal and estuarine United States

The NOAA National Status and Trends (NS&T) Program has been monitoring chemical contamination in fish livers, and surface sediments since 1984 and in molluscan tissue and sediments since 1986. Data from fine-grained sediment at 175 sites are used to describe the spatial distribution of contamination throughout the coastal and estuarine United States. Highest levels are generally found in, and considered representative of, urban areas. It should be noted, however, that these levels are not as high as have been found near discharge pipes or in isolated industrial areas through other monitoring efforts. Dramatic biological responses, such as liver tumors in fish or apparently toxic contaminant levels in sediment, are found infrequently. Subtle biological changes, especially those that affect reproductive ability, are being sought. Data from three annual collections of mollusks have been used to identify early signals of temporal trends in contamination at NS&T sites.     

Occurrence of PAHs and PCBs in the Alna River, Oslo (Norway)

Thirty two polychlorinated biphenyl congeners (PCBs), hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and pentachlorobenzene (PeCB) were analysed in passive sampler extracts from surface water-exposed semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) and in bed sediment samples from a small urban watercourse, the River Alna (Oslo, Norway). Performance reference compound-corrected data from the passive samplers deployed at three sites along the river were used to track PCB contamination in the overlying water. SPMDs were able to detect an increase in dissolved PCB concentrations at the site furthest downstream that was corroborated by bed sediment concentrations. In comparison, no major increase in concentration of HCB, PeCB or PAHs could be observed. Comparison of passive sampling-based overlying water concentrations with total concentrations measured in bed sediments supports the possibility of further PCB sources upstream of the study area. Diagnostic PAH ratios (from SPMDs) and PCB congener pattern (from sediments) were used in an attempt to identify possible contaminant sources to the Alna River. Selected PAH diagnostic ratios support a multiple emission source scenario and demonstrate the complexity of identifying specific sources of these compounds to surface waters. PCB congener patterns in sediments from all three sites tend to indicate a source of highly chlorinated PCBs (of the Archlor 1260 type) and either a source of lower chlorinated PCBs or the less-likely occurrence of dechlorination in sediment. Information collected during the present screening study also confirms the Alna River as a continuous source of PCBs to the Oslofjord.     

Pesticide occurrence and aquatic benchmark exceedances in urban surface waters and sediments in three urban areas of California, USA, 2008–2011

Urban pesticide use has a direct impact on surface water quality. To determine the extent of pesticide contamination, the California Department of Pesticide Regulation initiated a multi-area urban monitoring program in 2008. Water and sediment samples were collected at sites unaffected by agricultural inputs in three areas: Sacramento (SAC), San Francisco Bay (SFB), and Orange County (OC). Samples were analyzed for up to 64 pesticides or degradates. Multiple detections were common; 50 % of the water samples contained five or more pesticides. Statewide, the most frequently detected insecticides in water were bifenthrin, imidacloprid, fipronil, fipronil sulfone, fipronil desulfinyl, carbaryl, and malathion. Bifenthrin was the most common contaminant in sediment samples. Key differences by area: OC had more pesticides detected than SAC or SFB with higher concentrations of fipronil, whereas SAC had higher concentrations of bifenthrin. The most frequently detected herbicides were 2,4-D, triclopyr, dicamba, diuron, and pendimethalin. Key differences by area: OC and SFB had higher concentrations of triclopyr, whereas SAC had higher concentrations of 2,4-D and dicamba. Detection frequency, number of pesticides per sample, and pesticide concentration increased during rainstorm events. In water samples, all of the bifenthrin, malathion, fipronil, permethrin, and λ-cyhalothrin detections, and most of the fipronil sulfone and cyfluthrin detections were above their lowest US EPA aquatic benchmark. Diuron was the only herbicide that was detected above its lowest benchmark. Based on the number of pesticides and exceedances of aquatic benchmarks or the high number of sediment toxicity units, pesticides are abundant in California surface waters.     

Spatial distribution and human contamination quantification of trace metals and phosphorus in the sediments of Chaohu Lake,a eutrophic shallow lake,China

Distinguishing and quantifying anthropogenic trace metals and phosphorus accumulated in sediment is important for the protection of our aquatic ecosystems. Here, anthropogenic proportion and potential sources of trace metals and phosphorus in surface sediments of Chaohu Lake were evaluated based on the exhaustive geochemical data. The analysis shows that concentrations of major and trace metals, and phosphorus, displayed significant spatial diversity and almost all elements were over the pre-industrial background value, which should be related to the variations of sediment composition partially. Therefore, conservative element normalization was introduced and calculated enrichment factors (EFs) of the elements were referenced highlighting the human contamination. EFs of the major and trace metals, except Zn, Pb, and Cu, were all nearly 1.0, indicating the detrital origin. The EFs of Zn, Pb, Cu and phosphorus were 1.0–10.4, 1.0–3.8, 1.0–4.9, and 1.0–7.6, respectively, showing moderate to significant contamination. Higher EFs of Zn, Pb and Cu occurred in the mouth areas of Nanfei River and Zhegao River, and they decreased to the lake center in the northwest and northeast lake areas, respectively. We deduced that anthropogenic Zn, Pb, and Cu were mainly from urban and industrial point sources and the non-point sources of atmospheric deposition contributed little to their contamination. The EFs of phosphorus showed similar spatial degradation with that of Zn, Pb, and Cu. Moreover, higher EFs (>1) of phosphorus also occurred in other areas adjacent to the river mouths besides Nanfei River and Zhegao River. This indicated that the non-point agricultural source may also be responsible for the contamination of phosphorus in Chaohu Lake in addition to the urban sewage sources. Anthropogenic phosphorus was mainly concentrated in the speciation of NaOH-P, which had higher potential biological effects than the detrital proportion. Concentrations of Zn, Pb and Cu surpassed the threshold effect concentrations (TEC) of consensus-based sediment quality guidelines of freshwater ecosystems, especially in the contaminated northwest area of Chaohu Lake. This highlighted the contributions of anthropogenic contamination to the elevated potential biological effects of trace metals. Though there had been no obvious human contamination of Cr and Ni in Chaohu Lake, concentrations were all over the TECs, which may be due to higher background levels in the parent materials of soils and bedrocks in Chaohu Lake catchment.     

Heavy metal enrichment in surface sediments from the SW Gulf of Mexico

The south west coastal zone in the Gulf of Mexico is an area with great industrial and agricultural development, which experiences intensive prospecting and extraction of hydrocarbons. After running through industrial, agricultural, and urban areas, waters from both the Jamapa River and La Antigua River arrive here. The rivers’ discharge areas of influence were estimated considering the textural and chemical composition of the supplied sediments. The main factors that determine sediment distribution were mineralogy, heavy minerals, carbonates, and anthropic contributions. The presence of metals in excess was evaluated using various pollution indicators, such as the enrichment factor, contamination factor, modified contamination factor, and geo-accumulation indexes. Data from different used contamination indexes show metal enrichments in As, Cu, Zn, Co, Cr, and V in La Antigua; As, Cu, and Cr in Jamapa; and As, Zn, and Pb in the Continental slope area. The adverse effects of metals on aquatic organisms were assessed using sediment quality guidelines that show Ni, As, Cu, and Cr may produce adverse effects on coastal areas. There was no evidence of contamination associated to the oil industry.     

Distribution, accumulation and mobility of mercury in superficial sediment samples from Tianjin, northern China

Seventeen sediment samples at three representative sites (the Yuqiao Reservoir, the Haihe River and the Haihe River Estuary) in Tianjin, northern China, were analyzed to investigate the pollution status, accumulation and mobility of mercury (Hg). The results show that the Haihe River has to be considered as moderate to strongly contaminated with Hg (2 < mean I(geo) = 2.35 < 3), where total Hg contents were ca. 3 to 24 orders of magnitude greater than the regional background value. The sediments collected near a coal-fired power plant in an urban area were found to have very high Hg concentrations, which were significantly related to Hg emissions from coal-fired utility boilers. In the Yuqiao Reservoir, the surface sediments have to be considered as unpolluted with Hg (mean I(geo) = -0.05 < 0) and the Haihe River Estuary sediments have to be considered as unpolluted to moderately polluted with Hg (0 < mean I(geo) = 0.18 < 1). Sediment-bound Hg in the Yuqiao Reservoir and the Haihe River Estuary was found to be predominantly associated with the organo-chelated phase of the sediment (38.3% and 50.5%, respectively). However, unlike the Yuqiao Reservoir and the Haihe River Estuary, Hg in the Haihe River sediments existed mainly as sulfide Hg and elemental Hg, which accounted for 54.2% and 30.7% of total Hg, respectively. The availability of this element seemed restricted. The majority of Hg contamination in the Haihe River sediments had been attributed to historic and modern atmospheric deposition and Hg released from the Haihe River sediments didn't seem to be an important pollutant pathway into the Haihe River Estuary. The results provide new insights into Hg contamination in this region.     

Major inputs and mobility of potentially toxic elements contamination in urban areas

Soil quality in urban areas is affected by anthropogenic activities, posing a risk to human health and ecosystems. Since the pseudo-total concentrations of potentially toxic elements may not reflect their potential risks, the study of element mobility is very important on a risk assessment basis. This study aims at characterising the distribution and major sources of 34 elements in two Portuguese urban areas (Lisbon and Viseu), with different geological characteristics, industrial and urban development processes. Furthermore, the potential availability of As, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn was assessed, by measuring the fraction easily mobilised. Lisbon is enriched in elements of geogenic and anthropogenic origin, whereas in the smaller city, the high levels observed are mainly related to a geogenic origin. Background values can be more relevant than the dimension of the city, even when anthropogenic components may be present, and this parameter should be considered when comparing results from different cities. Regarding the potential available fraction, a high variability of results was observed for elements and for sampling sites with an influence of the soil’s general characteristics. Elements showing very high concentrations due to geological reasons presented, in general, a low mobility and it was not dependent on the degree of contamination. For elements with major anthropogenic origin, only Zn was dependent on the pseudo-total content. Yet, the highest available fractions of some elements, both with major geogenic and anthropogenic origin, were observed in specific contaminated samples. Therefore, a site-specific evaluation in urban soils is important due to the high spatial variability and heterogeneity.     

Environmental survey in the Tuul and Orkhon River basins of north-central Mongolia, 2010: metals and other elements in streambed sediment and floodplain soil

Streambed sediment and subsurface floodplain soil were sampled for elemental analyses from 15 locations in river basins of north-central Mongolia during August 2010. Our primary objective was to conduct a reconnaissance-level assessment of potential inputs of toxicologically important metals and metalloids to Lake Baikal, Russia, that might originate from mining and urban activities within tributaries of the Selenga River in Mongolia. Samples were collected in triplicate from all sites, then dried, and sieved to <2 mm for analysis by portable X-ray florescence spectroscopy and by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry after digestion with concentrated nitric and hydrochloric acids. Arsenic, copper, and mercury were greatly elevated in sediment and floodplain soil collected from tributary streams located near two major mining operations. Lead and zinc were moderately elevated in streambed sediment and in floodplain soil obtained from a small tributary in the capital city of Ulaanbaatar, but those concentrations were considerably less than probable effects benchmarks. Historical and possibly present mining activities have led to considerable metal contamination in certain tributaries of the Orkhon River in north-central Mongolia; however, metals originating from those sources did not appear to be accumulating in sediments at our downstream-most sampling sites located near the border between Mongolia and Russia.     

Distribution patterns of nitroaromatic compounds in the water, suspended particle and sediment of the river in a long-term industrial zone (China)

Nitroaromatic compounds are known to be hazardous to ecological and human health. To assess the status of nitroaromatic compounds contamination in the main rivers in the important industrial bases of the northeastern China, we collected water, suspended particulate matter (SPM) and sediment samples from 28 sites in the Daliao River watershed and analysed them for eight nitroaromatic compounds by gas chromatography. The total concentrations of eight nitrobenzenes in the water column including aqueous and SPM phases ranged from 740 to 15,828 ng L^???1, with a mean concentration of 3,460 ng L^???1. The total concentrations of eight nitrobenzenes in the sediment were 7.47 to 8,185.76 ng g^???1, with a mean concentration of 921.98 ng g^???1, and several times higher than those found from the Yellow River in China. 4-Nitrotoluene was the predominant contaminant in the water and sediment of the three rivers of the Daliao River watershed. 2,6-Dichloro-4-nitroaniline was generally dominant in the SPM. The levels of nitroaromatic compounds were different among different sites in the Daliao River watershed, mainly caused by the distribution of pollution sources. No obvious correlation was found between the total concentrations of eight nitrobenzenes concentrations and TOC or the slit-clay content of the sediments.     

Seasonal variation in heavy metal contamination in water and sediments of river Sabarmati and Kharicut canal at Ahmedabad, Gujarat

The objective of the study is to reveal the seasonal variations in the river water and sediment quality with respect to heavy metal contamination. To get the extent of trace metals contamination, water and sediment samples were collected from five different sites along the course of Sabarmati River and its tributary Kharicut canal in pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon seasons. The concentration of trace metals such as chromium, copper, lead, nickel and zinc was determined using inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy. The concentrations of heavy metals were found to be higher in the pre-monsoon season than in the monsoon and post-monsoon seasons in water samples. The pollution load index, contamination factor and degree of contamination (C _d) in sediments were calculated to know the extent of anthropogenic pressures. The values of C _d clearly indicated very high degree of contamination at Kharicut canal (S-4: 32.25 and S-5: 54.52) and considerable degree of contamination at three sites of Sabarmati river viz; S-1, S-2 and S-3 with values 14.30, 14.42 and 17.21, respectively. Lead and nickel could not be traced in any of the river water samples.     

Levels and distribution of PCDD/Fs, dl-PCBs, and organochlorine pesticides in sediments from the lower reaches of the Haihe River basin, China

The concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs), and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in surface sediments from the lower reaches of the Haihe River basin, northern China, were determined by high-resolution gas chromatograph–high-resolution mass spectrometer. The concentrations of 2,3,7,8-substituted PCDD/Fs, dl-PCBs, and total OCPs [sum of hexachlorobenzene, hexachlorocyclohexanes, and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDTs)] in 17 sediment samples were in the ranges of 11.6–1,180,924 pg/g dry weight (dw), 18.7–50,017 pg/g dw, and 1.7–35,280 ng/g dw, respectively. The contamination levels in the samples varied significantly between the different sites. Abnormally high concentrations of PCDD/Fs, dl-PCBs, and some OCPs were found in sediments from the lower reaches of the main channel of the Haihe River and the Dagu Drainage River, which were attributed to the historical production of pentachlorophenol and other pesticides near these locations. High levels of DDTs were detected in the Yongding New River sediment, which were likely to have originated from the discharge of wastewater from a dicofol factory upstream. In samples taken from other sites, the concentrations of these pollutants were at levels comparable to those documented in other areas of China. This preliminary investigation suggests that historical pesticide production in the Haihe River basin has contributed significantly to the contamination of this aquatic ecosystem and that further attention to this issue is warranted.     

Phosphorus fractions and adsorption characteristics of floodplain sediments in the lower reaches of the Hanjiang River, China

The phosphorus fractions and adsorption characteristics of seven floodplain sediment samples collected in the lower reaches of China’s Hanjiang River were studied. Most phosphorus fractions showed a marked downstream increase in response to point-source inputs from urban areas. Total phosphorus (TP) contents in the sediments ranged from 603.68 to 945.25 mg.kg⁻¹. Inorganic phosphorus (IP) was the major component of TP, and calcium-bound phosphorus (Ca–P) was the major fraction of IP. The distribution characteristics of the phosphorus contents were affected by sediment grain size and hydrodynamic conditions. The maximum phosphorus adsorption capacities (Q _max) and the half-saturation concentration (k) were obtained using an improved Langmuir model. Native adsorbed exchangeable phosphorus content (w _NAP) and the zero-equilibrium phosphorus concentration value (c _EPC0) were subsequently calculated. The effects of sediment grain size, temperature, and disturbance on the phosphorus adsorption isotherms were also studied. The results showed that phosphorus adsorption on floodplain sediments was primarily chemisorption; the particle concentration effect played a more important role at a disturbance intensity of 150 r.min⁻¹ (on a shaker table) than at 100 r.min⁻¹.     

A complex investigation of the extent of pollution in sediments of the Sava River. Part 1: Selected elements

The Sava River is the biggest tributary to the Danube River. As a part of the 6th FW EU project, Sava River Basin: Sustainable Use, Management and Protection of Resources (SARIB), ecological status of sediments was investigated. In order to assess the geographical distribution in sediment contamination of the Sava River, inorganic and persistent organic pollutants were analyzed in sediments at 20 selected sampling sites along the Sava River from its spring to its outfall into the Danube River. For comparability of data to other river basins the sediment fraction below 63 μm was studied. Due to complexity of the work performed, the results are published separately (“Part I: Selected elements” and “Part II: Persistent organic pollutants”). In the present study, the extent of pollution was estimated by determination of the total element concentrations and by the identification of the most hazardous highly mobile element fractions and anthropogenic inputs of elements to sediments. To assess the mobile metal fraction extraction in 0.11 mol L^???1, acetic acid was performed (first step of the Community Bureau of Reference extraction procedure), while anthropogenic inputs of elements were estimated on the basis of normalization to aluminum (Al) concentration. According to the Water Framework Directive, the following elements were investigated in sediments: cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), and mercury (Hg). Furthermore, copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), arsenic (As), and phosphorous (P) were determined. The analyses of sediments demonstrated slightly elevated values for Hg, Cr, and Ni in industrially exposed sites (concentrations up to 0.6, 380, and 210 mg kg^???1, respectively). However, the latter two elements exist in sparingly soluble forms and therefore do not represent an environmental burden. P concentrations were found in elevated concentrations at agricultural areas and big cities (up to 1,000 mg kg^???1).     

Silver and thallium historical trends in the Seine River basin

Records on pollution by metals of minor economic importance (e.g. silver and thallium) but which prove to be toxic are rarely documented in river sediment. This study used two sediment cores collected downstream of the Seine River to describe the temporal evolution of Ag and Tl concentrations in an urban catchment. Radionuclide analysis (i.e. Cs-137 and Pb-210) allowed dating sediment deposition within the cores (1933-2003). Ag concentration reached maximum values of 14.3-24.6 mg kg(-1) in the 1960s and 1970s, before gradually decreasing up to values which approximated 4 mg kg(-1) in 2003. In contrast, Tl concentrations remained roughly constant throughout the core (median value of 0.86 mg kg(-1)). Suspended solids was collected at upstream locations in the catchment to derive the background concentrations in Ag and Tl. Very high Ag concentrations were measured in the upstream Seine River sites (0.33-0.59 mg kg(-1)), compared to the values reported in the literature (0.055 mg kg(-1)). This suggests the presence of a widespread and ancient Ag pollution in the Seine River basin, as demonstrated by the very high Ag enrichment ratios recorded in the cores. Annual flux of particulate Ag in the Seine River was estimated at 1.7 t yr(-1) in 2003. In contrast, Tl concentrations remained in the same order of magnitude as the natural background signal (0.3-0.5 mg kg(-1)). This study suggests that the Seine River basin is free of Tl contamination. Future concerns should hence mostly rely on Ag contamination, in a context of increasing Ag uses and possible releases to the environment.     

Pollution and potential mobility of Cd, Ni and Pb in the sediments of a wastewater-receiving river in Hanoi, Vietnam

Large quantities of untreated industrial and domestic wastewater are discharged from the city of Hanoi into urban rivers. Sediment samples from three sites in the To Lich River in Hanoi were assessed with respect to the concentrations and potential mobility of cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni) and lead (Pb). Due to very high Cd concentrations up to 700 mg kg^?1 at one site, the sediment was considered highly unsuitable for any types of land use if dredged and disposed of on land. Chemical sequential extractions of wet and anoxic sediment samples showed that Cd and Pb were largely associated with the redox-sensitive fractions and could thus be mobilised following measures such as resuspension or dredging. To assess the potential mobilisation of heavy metals from the anoxic sediment due to oxidation, the samples were exposed to different oxidants (i.e. atmospheric air and hydrogen peroxide) and afterwards submitted to a leaching test. These experiments showed that although oxidation may increase the equilibrium pore water concentrations of heavy metals in the sediments, other sediment mineral fractions seem to effectively immobilise heavy metals potentially released from the oxidisable fraction.     

Sediment Contamination, by Habitat, in the Tampa Bay Estuarine System (1993–1999): PAHs, Pesticides and PCBs

More than 760 Tampa Bay (Florida, U.S.A.) sediment samples have been analyzed for organic contaminants (PAHs, organochlorine pesticides, and PCBs) since 1993. Data were analyzed to assess status by habitat (defined by overlapping salinity zones and sediment type). The habitats most degraded by PAHs and pesticides were generally located in lower salinity, fine-grained sediment habitats, which are typically confined to the Hillsborough River. PCB contamination was more common in mesohaline waters of the Palm and Hillsborough rivers. Higher salinity portions of the bay, where medium to coarse sand-sized sediments predominate, showed little evidence of contamination by PAHs, PCBs and pesticides other than lindane.     

Trace elements as tracers of environmental pollution in the canal sediments (alluvial formation of the Danube River, Serbia)

The purpose of this study was to examine the levels of trace elements and to discuss the origin and mobility of these contaminants in the canal sediments (alluvial formation of the Danube River). The most significant fractions binding all of the studied elements were oxides and silicates. The high proportion of elements in the residual fraction and the generally low contents of extractable elements reflected the background geochemical conditions. The contents of trace elements (except Hg and As) were dominantly controlled by the presence of Fe and Mn oxides as well as by the grain size and the geochemical composition of the sediment. The studied alluvial sediments were not heavily contaminated; there were only few sites where an anthropogenic influence on the concentrations of some metals (Cu, Cd, Zn, and Pb) was noticed. The results from this study show that impact of Pan?evo industrial zone on the quality of the Danube River and its contamination with trace element is minor.     

Groundwater environmental capacity and its evaluation index

At present, anthropogenic contribution of heavy metals far exceeds natural input in some aquatic sediment, but the proportions are difficult to differentiate due to the changes in sediment characters. In this paper, the metal (Al, Fe, K, Mg, Ca, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Zn) concentrations, grain size, and total organic carbon (TOC) content in the surface and core sediments of Nansihu Lake Catchment (the open lake and six inflow rivers) were determined. The chemical speciations of the metals (Al, Fe, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Zn) in the surface sediments were also analyzed. Approaches of factor analysis, normalized enrichment factor (EF) and the new non-residual fractions enrichment factor (K_NRF) were used to differentiate the sources of the metals in the sediments, from detrital clastic debris or anthropogenic input, and to quantify the anthropogenic contamination. The results indicate that natural processes were more dominant in concentrating the metals in the surface and core sediments of the open lake. High concentration of Ca and deficiency of other metals in the upper layers of the sediment core were attributed to the input of carbonate minerals in the catchment with increasing human activities since 1980s. High TOC content magnified the deficiency of the metals. Nevertheless, the EF and K_NRF both reveal moderate to significant anthropogenic contamination of Cr, Cu, Ni, and Zn in the surface sediments of Laoyun River and the estuary and Cr in the surface sediments of Baima River. The proportion of non-residual fractions (acid soluble, reducible, and oxidizable fractions) of Cr, Cu, Ni, and Zn in the contaminated sediments increased to 37–99% from the background levels less than 30%.