三峡水库香溪河库湾氮磷分布状况及沉积物污染评价

为了解三峡大坝蓄水完成之后香溪河库湾水体及沉积物中氮、磷的分布状况以及沉积物污染水平,2013年4月对三峡水库香溪河库湾进行调查采样,测定表层水及沉积物中氮磷含量和形态组成。结果表明,香溪河库湾表层水总磷(TP)含量范围为0.20~0.51 mg·L~(-1),总氮(TN)含量范围为0.54~2.25 mg·L~(-1),TP主要由磷酸盐(PO_4~(3-))组成,TN主要由硝酸盐(NO_3~-)以及氨氮(NH_4~+)组成,TP在空间上呈现从河口向库尾逐渐升高的分布格局,TN分布从河口向库尾逐渐降低。香溪河库湾沉积物中TP含量变化范围为642~1 189 mg·kg~(-1),TN含量变化范围为867~1 718 mg·kg~(-1),沉积物TP含量分布呈现上游高下游低,沉积物TN分布趋势呈现中间高,两头低。沉积物中TP主要由无机磷(IP)组成,有机磷(OP)所占比例较小,其中IP由钙磷(Ca-P)、铁铝磷(Fe/Al-P)组成,三者含量:Ca-POPFe/Al-P,且沉积物TP含量空间变化受到三者影响(P0.05)。采用单一因子标准指数法对香溪河库湾沉积物中TN、TP污染水平进行评价,结果表明,表层沉积物中TN、TP最低级别污染指数平均值为2.0和1.6,表层沉积物中TN、TP污染指数均超过最低污染水平,且TP的严重级别污染指数达到0.5以上。三峡水库三期蓄水完成以后,香溪河库湾表层水体中氮磷含量较初期蓄水有所升高,各样点沉积物中氮磷含量表现出相同的趋势,沉积物中不稳定磷释放对水体富营养化具有影响,香溪河库湾的表层沉积物已经受到一定的污染,磷污染水平较高。     

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,?     

Distributions, cycling and recovery of amino acids in estuarine waters and sediments

Acid hydrolysis of estuarine water samples for the determination of amino acids (AAs) was tested and found to be effective at high (250 μM) nitrate concentrations when the anti-oxidant, ascorbic acid, was added to the samples. Hydrolysable AA concentrations were then determined in surface sediments collected from low and high salinity regions of the Tamar Estuary (UK) during winter 2003 and 2004, and in overlying water when simulated resuspension of sediment particles was performed. Concentrations of AAs in sediment samples comprised <50% of particulate nitrogen, fitting the paradigm that most sedimentary nitrogen is preserved within an organic matrix. When sediment samples were resuspended in overlying water (salinity 17.5), the rapid, measured increase in dissolved AA concentrations almost equalled the reported nitrate concentration in the lower estuary, with the subsequent decrease in the total dissolved AA levels suggested that bacterial uptake was occurring. Our data concur with previous studies on nitrogen desorption from sediments and suggest that an understanding of organic nitrogen cycling will be an important aspect of future effective estuarine management.     

南四湖沉积物营养盐释放特性

通过营养盐静态释放模拟试验,研究了南四湖沉积物NH4＋-N、TP和有机质（OM）的释放能力;针对微山湖区（WS）沉积物氮含量较高、释放较强的特点,为明晰WS湖区的氮释放潜力,考察了该湖区16个点位沉积物对NH4＋-N的等温吸附特性.静态释放试验表明,沉积物TP和OM释放能力较弱,对南四湖上覆水水质影响不明显;而WS湖区的NH4＋-N释放能力较强.WS湖区沉积物的NH4＋-N等温吸附试验表明,湖心区沉积物NH4＋-N释放能力最强,吸附/解吸平衡浓度（CEAC）高于1 mg.L-1的区域面积约占微山湖的1/5,该区域沉积物NH4＋-N释放将会对南水北调东线调水水质产生不利影响.     

绿潮藻类暴发对天鹅湖水体和沉积物磷含量的影响

在荣成天鹅湖藻类暴发区域采集新鲜沉积物和丝状硬毛藻（Chaetomorpha spp.）,进行室内模拟试验,监测了生长过程中硬毛藻的生物量、磷富集量以及不同处理水体总磷（TP）和可溶性磷（SRP）质量浓度的变化,并分析了藻类生长对沉积物中各形态磷含量的影响。结果表明,当水体磷含量较高时,硬毛藻生长较快,相对生长速率高达14.88%,之后随着水体磷浓度的下降,生长速率逐渐减小。不同处理间硬毛藻的生物量相差很大,高磷含量处理显著高于低磷处理,最大差值可达26.50 g。随着藻类的生长,水体TP和SRP含量明显降低,其中高磷含量处理的TP质量浓度由0.93 mg·L-1降至0.01 mg·L-1,低磷含量处理水体SRP质量浓度均降至0.006 mg·L-1以下。当水体磷含量降至一定水平,沉积物中磷可向水体释放,其中可还原态磷和铁铝结合态磷的降幅分别为23.98%和12.61%。在高磷含量处理组,藻体中磷的富集量显著升高,且当水体磷含量相同的条件下,有沉积物处理的富集量显著高于无沉积物处理。相关分析表明,藻体生物量与水体TP和SRP的相关性较好,其中高磷含量处理组生物量与水体TP、SRP呈高度负相关,而相对生长速率与之呈显著正相关。结果说明,水体及沉积物中磷均可作为硬毛藻生长的营养来源;另一方面,藻类生长可明显降低水体磷含量,并促进沉积物中磷的释放。     

Phosphate enrichment in the northern Gulf of Aqaba: Regulation by carbonate sediments and impact on nitrogen elevation

The effect of carbonate sediment in regulating phosphate concentrations in sea water was investigated by laboratory incubation experiments using different sediment types. Incubation experiments were made with two types of sediments: uncontaminated sediment from a marine reserve and contaminated sediment with deposited phosphate powders. Fluxes of inorganic nitrogen and phosphate were estimated from linear regressions of solute concentrations over incubation periods. Ammonium and phosphate fluxes were about twofold higher in the uncontaminated sediment that had significantly lower organic carbon and total phosphate concentrations than in the phosphate-contaminated sediment. To test the effect of dissolved phosphate on increasing nitrogen fixation, additional incubation experiments were carried out using treated carbonate and silicate sediments with added dissolved phosphate (20 μM). Incubations were made under sterile conditions with HgCl₂ added to distinguish between biologically enhanced processes and pure physicochemical processes. The adsorption rate of phosphate onto carbonate sediment was about twice that onto silicate sediments. No nitrogen elevation either as ammonium or as nitrate was observed in the soluble phosphate enrichment incubations. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the importance of the regulation of soluble phosphate concentrations in carbonate sediment environments where the carbonate sediment acts as a buffering system keeping soluble phosphate concentrations at certain steady-state levels. The study also demonstrates the lack of evidence on enhancement of nitrogen concentrations due to the increase phosphate concentrations.     

广东省不同水库底泥理化性质对内源氮磷释放影响

采用分级浸取分离方法,分析了广东省10个典型水库底泥的氮磷营养形态分布和污染状况;并通过模拟覆水试验,研究了不同水库底泥氮磷形态及理化性质对内源氮磷释放的影响。结果表明：广东省10个水库底泥氮磷污染较为严重,全氮含量为0.33~3.31 g.kg^-1,平均值为1.70 g.kg^-1;全磷含量为0.14~2.63 g.kg^-1,平均值为1.31 g.kg^-1。底泥氮磷主要以可转化态形式存在,可转化态氮磷含量占总氮磷含量百分比分别为41.2%~71.4%和53.6%~93.2%。底泥内源氮磷的释放主要受氮磷的赋存形态和含量的影响,水库底泥总氮的释放量与离子交换态氮（IEF-N）、碳酸盐结合态氮（WAEF-N）、铁锰氧化物结合态氮（SAEF-N）呈极显著正相关关系,相关系数分别为0.931、0.814、0.807;总磷的释放量与碳酸盐结合态磷（WAEF-P）、铁锰氧化物结合态磷（SAEF-P）呈极显著正相关,相关系数分别为0.960、0.957;这几种氮磷形态是上覆水体中氮磷的重要来源。同时底泥内源氮磷释放还与底泥机械组成有关,其中总氮和总磷释放量与底泥黏粒质量分数呈显著正相关,相关系数分别为0.738、0.638;而总氮的释放量与底泥砂粒质量分数呈显著负相关,相关系数为-0.685。这可能与可转化态氮磷更多的分布在细粒级底泥中有关,细颗粒底泥氮磷释放是上覆水体氮磷的主要来源。     

曝气复氧对富营养化水体底泥氮磷释放的影响

采用实验室模拟，研究了曝气复氧对富营养化水体底泥氮磷释放的影响，结果表明，①溶解氧是影响底泥氮磷释放的重要因素，厌氧状态会加速底泥氮磷的释放。②正常条件下曝气复氧可以有效的控制底泥总磷的释放；曝气条件下高pH值无法控制底泥总磷的释放，搅动会对底泥总磷的释放产生轻微的影响，上覆水总磷浓度较高时底泥会发生吸磷现象，而温度则影响较小。③正常条件下曝气复氧可以控制比较封闭水体底泥氨氮的释放；曝气条件下温度对底泥氨氮和总氮的释放影响较大，即温度越高，抑制氨氮和总氮的释放效果越好，且低温会导致底泥氨氮和总氮的大量释放；曝气条件下搅动导致底泥释放更多的氨氮和总氮。     

Revealing the factors affecting occurrence and distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in water and sediments of Lake Baikal and its tributaries

The concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), total carbon (TC), total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN) and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) in water and sediments of Lake Baikal and its tributaries were measured. It was found that according to existing water and sediment quality standards limiting permissible PAH concentrations, both surface waters and sediments in Lake Baikal watershed can be considered as unpolluted with PAHs compounds. Nevertheless, the spatial distribution of PAH concentrations in lake water indicates the existence of some point PAH sources in and around the lake. These sources were natural oil seeps and communal facilities such as residential coal-fired and oil-fired boilers. It was observed that concentrations of PAHs in both water and sediments are controlled by organic matter content and organic matter mineralisation degree, as indicated by PAH-to-carbon and nitrogen-to-carbon ratios respectively. It was found that PAH/TOC and PAH/TC ratios characterise PAH loading on water and sediments respectively, whereas DIN/TOC and TN/TC ratios characterise self-purification of water and sediments respectively. It was proved that PAH/TOC and DIN/TOC ratios can be used as tracers to evaluate the PAH contributions from tributaries to Lake Baikal.     

泥沙沉降对长江水体富营养化相关因素的影响初探

针对三峡库区重庆段蓄水后,泥沙沉降对长江水体富营养化相关因素的影响进行了研究。三峡库区含沙量大,泥沙对水环境的影响不容忽视。为准确预测成库后三峡库区重庆段富营养化的发生,文章通过泥沙沉降对水质影响静态模拟试验,研究了长江原水的泥沙沉降对水体中叶绿素a、透明度、溶解性总磷、溶解性总氮、浊度等指标的影响。结果表明:三峡成库后泥沙更易沉降,引起水体浊度降低、透明度增大,这可能利于藻类的生长,导致叶绿素a的质量浓度增加,同时,泥沙沉降也使水体的溶解性氮磷比增大,对富营养化发生有抑制作用。     

Sediment and porewater geochemistry in a metal contaminated estuary,Dulas Bay,Anglesey

Remobilisation of contaminant metals from sediments can occur by chemical, biological or physical changes. This in turn can lead to contaminant fluxes to the porewaters and ultimately the water column. The aim of the research presented here is to document post-depositional controls on metal mobility and fluxes in a heavily metal-contaminated estuary. This will allow for an improved understanding of the impact of contaminated sediments on water quality from both a short-term and long-term perspective. Dulas Bay is situated on the east coast of Anglesey, North Wales, and receives polluted waters from Parys Mountain. Metals within Dulas Bay sediments show surface enrichment and variations in mineralogical form. Diagenesis clearly plays a role in post-depositional behaviour of the metals, forming sulphides and potentially carbonates. The presence of a dominant exchangeable/carbonate fraction, and elevated porewater metals, in this sulphidic system is significant and could indicate the presence of freshwater diagenesis, or, reflect the high levels of metals in the sediment.     

微生物和硬毛藻对天鹅湖不同湖区沉积物氮磷释放的影响

荣成天鹅湖为一天然瀉湖,近年来绿潮硬毛藻大量爆发,内源污染日益严重。以大型硬毛藻和不同湖区沉积物为试材,设置沉积物+水、沉积物+水(灭菌)、沉积物+水+藻、沉积物+水+藻(灭菌)4个处理,研究了不同微生物活性及藻类条件下上覆水体氮磷质量浓度的变化,同步监测水土界面DO和pH等理化参数,以探讨藻分解和微生物对天鹅湖不同湖区沉积物氮磷释放的影响,为藻华消亡过程中内源污染的治理提供理论依据。结果表明,微生物存在和硬毛藻分解可使水体氮质量浓度明显增加(P<0.05)。试验过程中,水体总氮在有藻和无藻条件下的质量浓度变幅分别为1.56-14.11 mg·L^?1和0.11-8.96 mg·L^?1,后期灭菌处理明显低于未灭菌处理。藻分解对水体磷质量浓度具有极显著影响(P<0.01),有藻条件下灭菌处理总磷质量浓度为0.31-1.27 mg·L^?1,未灭菌处理为0.27-1.41 mg·L^?1;而无藻条件下灭菌和未灭菌处理变幅分别为0.019-0.047 mg·L^?1和0.025-0.078 mg·L^?1。在天鹅湖,不同湖区沉积物氮磷的释放能力存在差异,水体氮质量浓度在有藻和无藻条件下均表现为西北部>湖中心>湖南部,磷质量浓度有藻条件下与氮一致,而无藻条件下则表现为湖中心>西北部>湖南部。湖中心沉积物处理水体营养盐浓度受微生物活性影响较大。3种因素对水体氮磷质量浓度的影响效应表现为:藻类>微生物>沉积物。可见,在藻类大量暴发且微生物活性较高的湖中心及西北部,沉积物氮磷的释放潜力较大,尤其在藻类堆积腐烂时期,应引起足够重视。     

Sedimentary Pigments and Organic Matter in Relation to Benthic Fauna in the Tan-Shui Estuary, Taiwan

The benthic ecological structure of the Tan-Shui estuary, Taiwan is changed due to long term effects of dumping of urban wastewater and of engineering actions. to monitor these changes, we sampled and analyzed benthos and sediment from 12 stations on the estuary.

The composition of the dominant species of benthos varied seasonally, with molluscan and crustacean species having greater numbers and higher frequencies of occurrence than other species. the dominant taxa during winter were Nassarius sp. and Maldanidae at two stations. Analysis using Simpson's index and Shannon's index showed the benthic community varied more in coastal areas than in offshore areas.

Physicochemical analysis showed that most of the Tan-Shui estuary consisted of sandy sediment. the variations in concentrations of organic carbon and total nitrogen at each station were small. Although the concentrations of chlorophyll-a and carotenoid at all stations were generally low, the two stations had the highest concentrations, and we concluded that the concentration of pigments in these sediments was related to the abundance of benthos. the community structure of the benthos reflected the characteristics of the sediments, and benthic species exhibited selection of and adaptation to specific sedimentary environments.     

Sedimentary Pigments and Organic Matter in Relation to Benthic Fauna in the Tan-Shui Estuary,Taiwan

The benthic ecological structure of the Tan-Shui estuary, Taiwan is changed due to long term effects of dumping of urban wastewater and of engineering actions. to monitor these changes, we sampled and analyzed benthos and sediment from 12 stations on the estuary.

The composition of the dominant species of benthos varied seasonally, with molluscan and crustacean species having greater numbers and higher frequencies of occurrence than other species. the dominant taxa during winter were Nassarius sp. and Maldanidae at two stations. Analysis using Simpson's index and Shannon's index showed the benthic community varied more in coastal areas than in offshore areas.

Physicochemical analysis showed that most of the Tan-Shui estuary consisted of sandy sediment. the variations in concentrations of organic carbon and total nitrogen at each station were small. Although the concentrations of chlorophyll-a and carotenoid at all stations were generally low, the two stations had the highest concentrations, and we concluded that the concentration of pigments in these sediments was related to the abundance of benthos. the community structure of the benthos reflected the characteristics of the sediments, and benthic species exhibited selection of and adaptation to specific sedimentary environments.     

太湖典型河网区地表水与沉积物氮、磷和重金属含量空间分异

将无锡城乡交错区河网分为城镇生活区水巷、工业区主河道、农业区主河道、农业区支流和鱼塘5种类型区.通过秋季(旱季)和夏季(雨季)2次采样,研究氮、磷和Cu、Zn、Pb、Cr、Cd在地表水和沉积物中的含量及其空间变化.结果表明:(1)城乡交错区地表水氮、磷来源于生活污染和工业污染的比例大于农田,同时具有来源分散、污染面广的特征.(2)由于城镇地表径流和工业活动影响,各类型区地表水重金属含量均有不同程度提高.但地表水重金属主要沿主河道迁移,旱季和雨季主河道重金属含量均大于农业区支流,而且随着与城镇距离增加,主河道沉积物重金属含量迅速降低,重金属污染影响范围较小.(3)与重金属相比,地表水氮、磷污染仍是太湖水网区主要的环境问题.但城镇及其周围河流沉积物中富集的重金属含量很高,其潜在环境风险不容忽视.     

沉积物和土壤孔隙水中甲基汞的一种新型平衡被动采样装置的研制

在这项研究中,我们探索了利用疏水性有机化学品（HOCs）开发的策略对甲基汞（MeHg）进行平衡被动采样的概念。被动取样应允许基于平衡分配到取样器中的基础上预测沉积物孔隙水（MeHgCL）中MeHg的化学不稳定部分的浓度,而无需模拟通过取样器材料的扩散速率。我们的目标是确定具有模拟甲基汞在动物和沉积物中分配的潜力的取样器材料,并在适合于原位取样器的时间框架内提供可逆吸附。测试的候选材料包括一系列嵌有合适的甲基汞吸收剂的聚合物。最有潜力的是琼脂糖包埋的活性炭（AC）、琼脂糖包埋的巯基自组装膜（SMS）和半胱氨酸功能化聚对苯二甲酸乙二醇酯（PET）,对MeHgOH和MeHg与溶解有机物（Suwannee河腐殖酸）的络合作用,测井采样器的水分配系数（Kpw）为2.8～5。沉积物中采样器的平衡时间约为1～2周。琼脂糖包埋AC对MeHg积累机制的研究表明,样品受MeHg与AC颗粒相互作用的动力学影响,而不受凝胶扩散的限制。AC显示Hg和MeHg的相对快速解吸,表明该吸附剂能够进行可逆的平衡测量。在沉积物:水的微观结构中,用等温线校准的被动取样器测得的孔隙水浓度与直接测得的浓度在2倍（未经修正的沉积物）或4倍（经修正的AC沉积物）内一致。这项工作为甲基汞的被动采样提供了一种潜在的新途径。     

Four kinds of capping materials for controlling phosphorus and nitrogen release from contaminated sediment using a static simulation experiment

• Lanthanum modified bentonite (LMB) can effectively absorb phosphorus (P). • Water treatment plant sludge (WTPS) capping is effective for controlling P release. •Aluminum-based P-inactivation agent (Al-PIA) is an efficient P control material. •The P adsorbed by WTPS and Al-PIA is mainly in the form of NAIP. We determined the effects of quartz sand (QS), water treatment plant sludge (WTPS), aluminum-based P-inactivation agent (Al-PIA), and lanthanum-modified bentonite (LMB) thin-layer capping on controlling phosphorus and nitrogen release from the sediment, using a static simulation experiment. The sediment in the experiment was sampled from Yundang Lagoon (Xiamen, Fujian Province, China), which is a eutrophic waterbody. The total phosphorus (TP), ammonium nitrogen (NH₄⁺-N), and total organic carbon (TOC) levels in the overlying water were measured at regular intervals, and the changes of different P forms in WTPS, Al-PIA, and sediment of each system were analyzed before and after the test. The average TP reduction rates of LMB, Al-PIA, WTPS, and QS were 94.82, 92.14, 86.88, and 10.68%, respectively, when the release strength of sediment TP was 2.26–9.19 mg/(m²·d) and the capping strength of the materials was 2 kg/m². Thin-layer capping of LMB, WTPS, and Al-PIA could effectively control P release from the sediment (P<0.05). However, thin-layer capping of LMB, Al-PIA, and QS did not significantly reduce the release of ammonium N and organic matter (P > 0.05). Based on our results, LMB, Al-PIA, and WTPS thin-layer capping promoted the migration and transformation of easily released P in sediment. The P adsorbed by WTPS and Al-PIA mainly occurred in the form of NAIP.     

沉水植物对水-沉积物界面各形态氮含量的影响

在室内模拟条件下研究沉水植物对水-沉积物界面的上覆水、不同层次的间隙水和沉积物中不同形态氮含量的影响.结果表明:总体上,上覆水和间隙水中不同形态氮含量的顺序为有机氮＞氨氮＞硝态氮;沉积物中可交换态无机氮以氨氮为主,沉水植物的存在并没有改变这一格局.不同处理不同层次的间隙水中,各形态氮含量均为下层＞中层＞上层,但沉积物中氨氮和硝态氮含量变化规律不明显.水-沉积物界面氨氮和硝态氮含量呈现明显季节性变化.总之,水-沉积物界面氨氮是沉积物向上覆水扩散的主要氮组分,沉水植物降低了氨氮和硝态氮的扩散通量.     

贵州百花湖沉积物磷、氮及有机碳的空间分布特征

采集贵州百花湖沉积物柱芯,测定沉积物总磷(TP)、总氮(TN)和有机碳(Corg)含量,并进行TP、TN及Corg含量相关性分析.结果表明,百花湖沉积物TP、TN及Corg含量平均值分别为976 mg.kg-1,0.34%、2.91%,表层沉积物污染严重,随着沉积物深度的增加沉积物TP、TN及Corg含量逐渐降低.不同沉积物柱芯相同层位TP、TN及Corg含量存在较大差别,表明不同湖区底泥污染程度存在较大差异,在实施内源污染控制工程时需充分考虑这一特点,对不同湖区采用不同的治理与控制措施.     

Assessment of enrichment,geo-accumulation and ecological risk of heavy metals in surface sediments of the Msimbazi mangrove ecosystem,coast of Dar es Salaam,Tanzania

Results of the assessment of enrichment, accumulation and the ecological risk associated with three heavy metals (Cd, Cu and Pb) and one metalloid (As) in surface sediments of Msimbazi estuary are presented. Surface sediment samples (0–5 cm) were collected from Msimbazi River estuary in September 2016 using handheld PVC short corers. Long-sediment cores from the site were also collected using PVC pipes and their vertical profiles of metals concentrations assessed with the aim of establishing site-specific baseline metals concentrations. The established site-specific baseline values were used for the determination of normalised enrichment factors (EF) and geoaccumulation (Igeo) of metals instead of using average crustal values. Iron-based enrichment factors show that the sediments of Msimbazi have experienced enrichment of metals that originate from anthropogenic sources of pollution (EF > 1). Geo-accumulation results indicate that Msimbazi sediments can be designated as uncontaminated to moderately-contaminated with As, Cd and Pb (class 1–2). Geoaccumulation indices for Cu indicate that sediment can be designated as uncontaminated to moderately contaminated (class 1) and moderately to strongly contaminated (class 3). Results show further that the Ecological Risk associated with the accumulation of these metals in Msimbazi sediments was low based on Hakanson approach.