Heavy metal contamination in surface sediments of Gökçekaya Dam Lake,Eskişehir,Turkey

The present study to find seasonal (September 2010–June 2011) heavy metal (Cd, Pb, Cr, Co, Ni, Zn, Cu, Fe, As) contamination and the origins thereof in surface sediments of Gökçekaya Dam Lake, as constructed on Sakarya River, the third-longest river in Turkey and the largest river of the Northwestern Anatolia. Upon analyses for the purpose thereof, heavy metal contamination in annual average concentrations in the lake sediment varied, respectively, as Fe > Zn > Cr > Ni > Cu > Pb > Co > As > Cd. Statistical assessments performed in order to see whether the average values of the heavy metal contamination as measured at stations placed in the lake changed by seasonal periods. There found statistically significant differences especially in Cd, Zn, and Pb between seasonal periods. In accordance with the Sediment Quality Index, Gökçekaya Dam Lake sediment was classified as “highly polluted” in terms of the amount of anthropogenic contaminants of As, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn. Enrichment factor and geoaccumulation index values (I _geo) were calculated in order to geochemically interpret the source of contamination due to heavy metal concentration in the lake sediment and the level of pollution. The As, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni Pb, and Zn values demonstrated that the sediment was rich for anthropogenic contaminants. The lake was found especially rich for arsenic (14.97–34.70 mg/kg) and lead (68.75–98.65 mg/kg) in accordance with annual average values. In general the lake was geochemically characterized as “moderately contaminated” in terms of As, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn content.     

Potential ecological risk assessment of heavy metal contamination in sediment and water body around Dhaka export processing zone,Bangladesh

Sediments and surface water contamination by the industrial effluents containing heavy metals is the most detrimental environmental impact. Therefore, the present work attempts to determine the status of eight heavy metal distribution in sediments and water samples, and their ecological risks’ assessment in the studied area. The distribution pattern of heavy metals in the water and sediment follows the sequences: Zn > Cu > Pb > Cr > Mn > Ni > As > Cd and Mn > Zn > Cr > Pb > Cu > Ni > As > Cd, respectively. Gross water pollution is observed at different sampling points of Dhalai Beel and Bangshi River. The comparison of sedimentary mean metal concentrations with several environmental contamination monitoring parameters, viz, threshold effect level (TEL), probable effect level (PEL), and severe effect lever (SEL) indicates that the metal levels are less than PEL except Cr. Moreover, the level of contamination degree (C _d) and modified degree of contamination (mC _d) indicates ‘low’ and ‘nil to low’ degree of contamination, respectively. Pollution load indices (PLI) of the studied area are lower than unity, indicates no pollution. Furthermore, a toxic-response factor is applied to assess the potential ecological risk of these heavy metals into the water body. The results of this study exhibit a low potential ecological risk of heavy metals. The Pearson’s correlation and cluster analysis are also performed to assess the heavy metal interactions in water and sediment samples.     

Heavy metal content in the beach sediment with respect to contamination levels and sediment quality guidelines: a study at Kalpakkam coast,southeast coast of India

Socioeconomic developments and industrialization exert tremendous impact on beaches which is often neglected. Heavy metal (Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb) contents were estimated in the intertidal region from Kalpakkam to Mamallapuram (20 km), southeast coast of India covering seven locations. To evaluate the level of contamination of these metals; enrichment factor (EF), geoaccumulation index (I _geo), contamination factor (CF), pollution load index (PLI) and modified degree of contamination (mCd) were applied. The results were also compared with the sediment quality guidelines (SQGs) to find out the eco-toxicity level. Metal contents in the beach sediment were observed in the order: Fe > Al > Mn > Cr > Cu > Ni > Zn > Pb > Co > Cd. Grain size distribution showed medium to coarse nature of the sediment. Significant positive correlation was found among the metals indicating their common source of input. Based on EF, minor enrichment of Mn and Zn and moderately severe to severe enrichment of Cr, Cu, Pb and Cd were observed which was further confirmed by I _geo and CF values. Moreover, Mamallapuram showed a very high CF value for Cd (>6) indicating very high contamination accountable to anthropogenic sources. PLI and mCd in all the stations indicated unpolluted nature except M1 where the values pointed moderate degree of contamination. As per the SQGs, Ni and Cr values exceeded the probable effect limit value implying that these metals can have adverse impacts. None of the metals exceeded the effect range median indicating that the beach sediment is not very toxic.     

Heavy metal contamination in sediments of Balanagar industrial area,Hyderabad, Andra Pradesh,India

Environmental geochemical studies were carried out to find out the extent of contamination in sediments due to heavy metals in Balanagar industrial area, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. The industrial area consisting of 350 small and large industries manufacturing battery, steel planting, pharmaceutical chemicals, metal plating, etc. The present study was undertaken on sediment contamination in Balanagar industrial area, to determine extent and distribution of heavy metals (Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, Zn, As) and to delineate the source. There is no treatment plant in the industrial area, and many industries release the effluents into nearby nalas and lakes. Solid waste from the industries is also being dumped along the roads and near the open grounds due to which heavy metals migrate from solid waste to the groundwater. The sediments samples were collected from the study area in clean polythene covers and were analyzed for their heavy metals by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. The concentration ranges of different heavy metals were Cr, 96.2–439.6 mg/kg; Cu, 95.7–810 mg/kg; Ni, 32.3–13,068.2 mg/kg; Pb, 59.2–512 mg/kg; Zn, 157.1–4,630.5 mg/kg; Co, 1.8–48.3 mg/kg; and V, 35.2–308.5 mg/kg. High concentration of heavy metals in sediments can be attributed to some pharmaceutical and metal industries in the study area. Based on the results obtained, suitable remedial measures can be adopted such as phytoremediation and bio-remediation for reduction of heavy metals in sediments.     

Heavy metal accumulation in the surficial sediments along southwest coast of India

Concentration and distribution of heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn) in surface sediments collected from five stations located along the southwest coast of India were investigated seasonally to assess whether there is insidious buildup of heavy metals. Spatial variation was in accordance with textural characteristics and organic matter content. The concentration of the metals in sediments of the study area followed the order: Zn > Cr > Ni > Cu > Pb > Cd > Hg. The use of geochemical tools and sediment quality guidelines to account for the magnitude of heavy metal contamination revealed high contamination in monsoon and impoverishment during post-monsoon. Estimated total metal concentrations in the present investigation were comparable with other studies; however, concentrations of Ni and Zn were higher than that of other coastal regions. Concentrations of metals in sediment largely exceed NOAA effects range:low (e.g., Cu, Cr, Hg) or effects range:median (e.g., Ni) values. This means that adverse effects for benthic organisms are highly probable.     

Anthropogenic influences on toxic metals in water and sediment samples collected from industrially polluted Cuddalore coast,Southeast coast of India

The present study was carried out to investigate the impact of anthropogenic influences on Cuddalore coast, Southeast coast of India, with regard to physicochemical parameters and heavy metal concentration in the surface water and sediment samples of the study area. The samples were collected in different seasons of the year (January–December 2010) and analysed for physicochemical parameters (Temperature, pH, salinity, nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, phosphate and silicate) and heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn) using standard methods. Results showed that physicochemical characteristics and heavy metals concentration in the samples of the study area were varied seasonally and spatially. The concentrations of heavy metals in water and sediment samples of the study area were higher in the monsoon season compared with those of other seasons. The heavy metal concentration in collected samples was found to be above WHO standards. The order of heavy metals in water and sediment samples was Pb > Cu > Cd > Zn. The heavy metal data were analysed through widely using multivariate statistical methods including principle component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA). CA classified the sampling sites into three clusters based on contamination sources and season. The PCA revealed that the season has a huge impact on the levels, types and distribution of metals found in water and sediment samples. The study also shows the main basis of heavy metals pollution at Cuddalore coast is land based anthropogenic inputs as a result of discharging of waste from industries, municipal, agricultural activities and sewage into estuarine regions, which carries the wastes into coastal area during tidal action. Statistical analyses and experimental data revealed that the Cuddalore coast may cause health risk to the recreational users and fisher folk, ultimately warrants environmental quality management to control heavy metal contamination.     

Geochemistry of deep-sea sediments in two cores retrieved at the mouth of the Coatzacoalcos River delta,western Gulf of Mexico,Mexico

Coastal margins, especially the river-influenced coastal areas, are considered as active interfaces between the continental and oceanic environments, which have huge dispersal of detrital materials and heavy metal input. It is well determined that the fine-grained sediments are important reservoir for the accumulation of heavy metals. In this study, we analyzed the radiocarbon age, texture, organic matter, carbonate content, and geochemical compositions of two sediment cores (GM42 and GM44) retrieved in front of the Coatzacoalcos River mouth basin, southwestern Gulf of Mexico (～864 and 845 m water depth, respectively). Our objective was to infer the sedimentation rate, intensity of weathering, provenance, and influence of anthropogenic activities on heavy metal contamination in sediments. The radiocarbon-age measurements of mixed planktonic foraminifera for core GM44 reveals an age of 21,289 ± 136 cal. years B.P., which fall within the Late Glacial Maximum (LGM; 21000 ± 2000 years B.P). The calculated sedimentation rate for core GM42 (~0.013 cm/year) is lower than in core GM44 (0.022 cm/year), which is probably due to the variations in detrital sediment input and/or seafloor topography. The weathering indices such as chemical index of alteration (CIA), chemical index of weathering (CIW), and plagioclase index of alteration (PIA) suggested that the source area experienced low to moderate intensity of chemical weathering under warm to humid climatic conditions. The SiO₂/Al₂O₃, Al₂O₃/Na₂O, and K₂O/Al₂O₃ ratio values indicated moderate to high compositional maturity. The major and trace element concentrations suggested that the sediments were likely derived from intermediate source rocks. The heavy metal contents indicated that the sediments were not contaminated by the industrial waste disposals supplied by the Coatzacoalcos River. The redox proxy sensitive elements such as V, Cr, Cu, and Zn indicated an oxic depositional environment for the deep-sea sediment cores. The application of discrimination diagrams for the geochemistry data revealed a passive margin setting for the sediment cores. The compositional variations observed at the upper sections (<30 cm) between the two sediment cores revealed that the type of detrital sediments supplied by the Coatzacoalcos River to the deep sea area is not uniform, which is also revealed by the variation in sedimentation rate.     

Vermiculite bio-barriers for Cu and Zn remediation: an eco-friendly approach for freshwater and sediments protection

The increase in heavy metal contamination in freshwater systems causes serious environmental problems in most industrialized countries, and the effort to find eco-friendly techniques for reducing water and sediment contamination is fundamental for environmental protection. Permeable barriers made of natural clays can be used as low-cost and eco-friendly materials for adsorbing heavy metals from water solution and thus reducing the sediment contamination. This study discusses the application of permeable barriers made of vermiculite clay for heavy metals remediation at the interface between water and sediments and investigates the possibility to increase their efficiency by loading the vermiculite surface with a microbial biofilm of Pseudomonas putida, which is well known to be a heavy metal accumulator. Some batch assays were performed to verify the uptake capacity of two systems and their adsorption kinetics, and the results indicated that the vermiculite bio-barrier system had a higher removal capacity than the vermiculite barrier (+34.4 and 22.8 % for Cu and Zn, respectively). Moreover, the presence of P. putida biofilm strongly contributed to fasten the kinetics of metals adsorption onto vermiculite sheets. In open-system conditions, the presence of a vermiculite barrier at the interface between water and sediment could reduce the sediment contamination up to 20 and 23 % for Cu and Zn, respectively, highlighting the efficiency of these eco-friendly materials for environmental applications. Nevertheless, the contribution of microbial biofilm in open-system setup should be optimized, and some important considerations about biofilm attachment in a continuous-flow system have been discussed.     

Tracing subsurface migration of contaminants from an abandoned municipal landfill

This paper aims at determining of inorganic leachate contamination for a capped unsanitary landfill in the absence of hydrogeological data. The 2D geoelectrical resistivity imaging, soil physicochemical characterization, and surface water analysis were used to determine contamination load and extent of selective heavy metal contamination underneath the landfill. The positions of the contaminated subsoil and groundwater were successfully delineated in terms of low resistivity leachate plumes of <10 Ωm. Leachate migration towards the reach of Kelang River could be clearly identified from the resistivity results and elevated concentrations of Fe in the river downslope toe of the site. Concentration of Fe, Mn, Ca, Na, K, Mg, Cu, Cr, Co, Ni, Zn, and Pb was measured for the subsoil samples collected at the downslope (BKD), upslope (BKU), and the soil-waste interface (BKI), of the landfill. The concentration levels obtained for most of the analyzed heavy metals significantly exceed the normal range in typical municipal solid waste landfill sites. The measured heavy metal contamination load in the subsoil is in the following order Fe ? Mn > Zn > Pb > Cr > Cu. Taking into consideration poor physical and chemical characteristics of the local soil, these metals first seem to be attenuated naturally at near surface then remobilize unavoidably due to the soil acidic environment (pH 4.2-6.18) which in turn, may allow an easy washing of these metals in contact with the shallow groundwater table during the periodic fluctuation of the Kelang River. These heavy metals are believed to have originated from hazardous industrial waste that might have been illegally dumped at the site.     

Distribution of heavy metals and pollution pathways in a shallow marine shelf: assessment for a future management

The spatial distribution and geoaccumulation indices of four heavy metals were investigated in very shallow marine sediments of southwestern Spain. Surface sediments were collected from 43 sites with water depth ranging from 3 to 20 m. High to very high pollution levels (I _geo > 4 for zinc, lead and copper) were detected near the end of the Huelva bank, whereas chromium shows a more hazardous distribution in the southwestern Spanish littoral. Low to moderate heavy metal contents (mainly zinc and lead) were also observed in other two areas at different water depths (Isla Cristina-Piedras River: 10–18 m water depth; Mazagón–Matalascañas: <10 m water depth), whereas unpolluted to moderately polluted sediments were detected in the very shallow zones (<8 m water depth) located between the mouths of the Guadiana and the Piedras Rivers. A regional scenario indicates a strong pollution of the adjacent marine areas by polluted inputs derived from the Tinto–Odiel rivers, with a partial transport of heavy metals by W–E littoral currents even 40 km eastward. The Guadiana River is an additional source of zinc–lead contamination near the Spanish–Portuguese border, mainly at water depths up to 10 m. All these rivers are affected by acid mine drainage processes, derived from millennial mining activities. This pollution affects the sediment quality even 40 km eastward.     

Assessment of spatial distribution and possible sources of heavy metals in the soils of Sariseki-Dörtyol District in Hatay Province (Turkey)

In this study, total heavy metal content of soil and their spatial distribution in Sar?seki-Dörtyol district were analyzed and mapped. Variable distance grids (0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 km) were established, with a total of 102 soil samples collected from two different soil depths (0–5 and 5–20 cm) at intersections of the grids (51 sampling point). Soil samples were analyzed for heavy metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Pb, Zn, Mn, Fe, and Ni). The most proper variogram models for the contents of all heavy metal were spherical and exponential ones. The ranges of semivariograms were between 1.9 and 31.1 km. According to the calculated geoaccumulation (I _geo) values, samples from both soil depths were classified as partly to highly polluted with Cd and Ni and partly polluted with Cr and as partly polluted-to-not polluted with Pb and not polluted with Cu, Fe and Mn. Similar results were also obtained when evaluated by the enrichment factor. The contamination levels of the heavy metals were Ni > Cd > Cr > Pb > Zn > Cu > Co > Fe > Mn in decreasing order. The soils in the study area are contaminated predominantly by Cd and Ni, which may give rise to various health hazards or diseases. Cadmium pollution results primarily from industrial activities and, to a lesser extent, from vehicular traffic, whereas Ni contents in the study area result from parent material, phosphorus fertilizer, industries, and vehicles.     

Geochemical elements characteristics and sources of the riverbed sediment in the yellow river’s desert channel

The Yellow River flows through an extensive area of aeolian desert and extends from Xiaheyan, Ningxia Province, to Hekouzhen, Inner Mongolia Province, for a total of 1,000 km. In the desert channel of the Yellow River, the major chemical components are SiO₂, Fe₂O₃, Al₂O₃, Ti, CaO, MgO, Ba, P, Mn, Ce, Co in which SiO₂, Al₂O₃, Fe₂O_3, and Ti have significant value as indicators of the sources of the coarse sediment. The spatial distribution of the elements’ weight percentages and the ratios of Si/Ti, Si/Al between sediment sources and riverbed sediment of the Gansu reach and the desert channel of the Yellow River, indicating that the coarse sediments deposited in the desert reach of the Yellow River are mostly controlled by the local sediment sources; and due to the higher mobility of the fine sediments, they are primarily contributed by the local sediment sources and the tributaries that originate from the loess area of the upper reach of Yellow River. The results of R-factor analysis illustrate that the first component score mainly shows negative values in the desert channel, suggesting that the coarse sediments in this reach contain a higher content of Si and a lower content of Mg + Ca + Al + Fe, which further proves that the Ningxia Hedong, Inner Mongolian Wulanbuhe, and Kubuqi deserts are the primary sources of the coarse sediment in the desert channel of the Yellow River.     

江苏典型地区河流沉积物重金属元素分布特征及其污染来源

通过对河流沉积物等地表沉积物中重金属元素分布等环境地球化学调查数据的统计分析,总结了江苏典型地区河流沉积物中重金属元素的分布特点与规律:江苏局部地区河流沉积物中,Cd、Pb、Zn、Cr、Cu、Ni、Hg等相对富集趋势明显,Cd最大富集倍数 100;不同河流沉积物的重金属元素分布存在差异,与其污染来源密切相关;工业排放是导致河流重金属污染的主要原因,使用含Cd的颜料作为调色剂导致部分河流出现严重Cd污染;与土壤等其他地表沉积物相比,河流沉积物中重金属元素的分布更不均衡。查明河流沉积物的重金属元素分布可为相关农产品安全性预测、确定重金属污染来源、追踪涉重产业的发展历程、防治局部耕地重金属污染等提供科学依据。     

Source and distribution of metals in bed sediments of Subarnarekha River, India

The study was taken up to establish the distributions of metals as well as to assess the extent of anthropogenic inputs into the Subarnarekha River. Bed sediments were collected; analyzed for metals; and assessed with the index of geo-accumulation (I _geo), enrichment factor (EF) value, concentration factor (CF) and pollution load index (PLI). Metals in the sediment were variable in the river and there are major pollution problems at certain locations. The average concentrations of Fe, Cu, Cr, Pb, Mn, Ni, Zn, Co and Ba in mg/kg was found to be 30,802 ± 11,563, 69 ± 57, 111 ± 74, 75 ± 61, 842 ± 335, 42 ± 22, 100 ± 39, 15 ± 4 and 698 ± 435, respectively. The I _geo, EF, CF and PLI indices showed that the contamination of Pb and Cu was more serious than that of Ni, Zn, Co and Ba, whereas the presence of Fe, Mn and Cr might be primarily from natural sources. The contamination of the sediments with metals at few locations is attributed to mining, industries and other anthropogenic causes. Principal component analysis was employed to better comprehend the controlling factors of sediment quality. The statistical analysis of inter-metallic relationship revealed the high degree of correlation among the metals indicated their identical behaviour during transport. PCA outcome of three factors together explained 83.8 % of the variance with >1 initial eigenvalue indicated both innate and anthropogenic activities are contributing factors as source of metal profusion in Subarnarekha River basin.The overall study reveals moderately serious pollution in the river basin principally in some locations under the anthropogenic influences.     

Trends and evolution of contamination in a well-dated water reservoir sedimentary archive: the Brno Dam, Moravia, Czech Republic

The sedimentary record from dams can provide important information about stratigraphy and pollution history of densely populated river basins. The Brno Dam is a small reservoir within the Morava River catchment (Czech Republic) accumulating lacustrine sediments since 1940 (dam filling). The stratigraphy of the dam sediments was studied using multiproxy stratigraphic analysis (X-ray densitometry, bulk magnetic susceptibility, diffuse spectral reflectance and cation-exchange capacity) of five sediment cores supported by ground-penetration radar sections. Concentrations of heavy metals were studied by X-ray fluorescence analysis. The thickness of the dam sediments decreases from 220 cm in the proximal part, near the feeder, to only 10 cm in the distal part, near the dyke. Sediments consist predominantly of finely-laminated silty sands, silts and clays. The sedimentation rate for the last ~22 years, inferred from ¹³⁷Cs dating, decreases from 4.2 cm per year in the proximal part of the dam to 0.29 cm per year in its distal part. Distinct long-term trends were found in the depth profiles of heavy metal concentrations. The heavy metal contents increase significantly after 1940 in all cores, with peak concentrations confined to layers deposited in the 1960s and 1980s. A decreasing trend occurred after 1989 (the decline in Czech heavy industry). The results also show that heavy metal contamination is dependent on lithology (hyperpycnal flow layers related to floods). Increased concentrations of phosphorus in the sediments indicate long-term eutrophication of the dam. Despite the recent decreasing trends in heavy metal concentrations the phosphorus contents remain high in recent years and have caused persisting problems with algal growth in the dam mentioned by previous authors.     

Source analysis and risk evaluation of heavy metal in the river sediment of polymetallic mining area: Taking the Tonglüshan skarn type Cu-Fe-Au deposit as an example,Hubei section of the Yangtze River Basin,China

In this paper, 25 sampling points of overlying deposits in Tonglushan mining area, Daye City, Hubei Province, China were tested for heavy metal content to explore pollution characteristics, pollution sources and ecological risks of heavy metals in sediments. A geo-accumulation index method was used to evaluate the degree of heavy metal pollution in the sediment. The mean sediment quality guideline quotient was used for evaluating the ecological risk level of heavy metal in the sediment. And a method of correlation analysis, clustering analysis, and principal component analysis was used for preliminary analysis on the source of heavy metal in the sediment. It was indicated that there was extremely heavy metal pollution in the sediment, among which Cd was extremely polluted, Cu strongly contaminated, Zn, As, and Hg moderately contaminated, and Pb, Cr, and Ni were slightly contaminated. It was also indicated by the mean sediment quality guideline-quotient result that there was a high ecological risk of heavy metals in the sediment, and 64% of the sample sites had extremely high hidden biotoxic effects. For distribution, the contamination of branches was worse than that of the main channel of Daye Dagang, and the deposition of each heavy metal was mainly influenced by the distance from this sample site to the sewage draining exit of a tailings pond. The source analysis showed that the heavy metals in the sediment come from pollution discharging of mining and beneficiation companies, tailings ponds, smelting companies, and transport vehicles. In the study area, due to the influence of heavy metal discharging from these sources, the ecotoxicity of heavy metals in the sediment was extremely high, and Cd was the most toxic pollutant. The research figured out the key restoration area and elements for ecological restoration in the sediment of the Tonglüshan mining area, which could be referenced by monitoring and governance of heavy metal pollution in the sediment of the polymetallic mining area.©2022 China Geology Editorial Office.     

Extraction of heavy metals in Sydney Harbour sediments using 1M HCl and 0.05M EDTA and implications for sediment‐quality guidelines

Sixty sediment samples with a wide range of heavy‐metal concentrations and sediment textures were collected from Sydney Harbour. The samples were extracted with 1M HCl, 0.05M EDTA and HClO₄/HNO₃ and analysed by flame atomic absorption spectrometry for Zn, Pb, Cu and Cd. 1M HCl extracted a large proportion of heavy metals in oxic sediments (60–100%), whereas the extractability of metals with 0.05M EDTA was generally lower (by ～20%). Extractability was unrelated to the level of contamination or to sediment texture. The extractability of Cu in anoxic sediments was substantially lower with 1M HCl (～20%) and 0.05M EDTA (～10%) than with HClO₄/HNO₃. The extractability of Pb with 0.05M EDTA was also reduced in anoxic sediments (to ～70%). The use of weak extractants, in particular 1M HCl, is recommended by the recently introduced ANZECC and ARMCANZ interim sediment‐quality guidelines. These extractants are believed to provide a better measure of the bioavailable metal content than strong acid extractants. In this study, anoxic, sulfidic environments had a major influence on metal extractability with weak extractants. The implication of this is that the number of samples requiring further testing, as stipulated by the guidelines, would be significantly reduced in anoxic sediments.     

An evaluation of heavy metal pollution within historic cultural strata at a specialized salt production site at Zhongba in the Three Gorges Reservoir region of the Yangtze River, China

The concentrations of Hg, Cu, Pb, Cr, and Ni in soil samples collected from a specialized salt production site at Zhongba in the Three Gorges Reservoir region of the Yangtze River in China were analyzed to reconstruct the heavy metal contamination contexts of different historic periods over the last 4,500 years. The results show that the observed sequence for individual levels of heavy metal pollution was as follows: Hg > Cu > Ni > Pb ≈ Cr. Hg pollution was high during every time period except the Ming Dynasty, with peaks being observed from the Spring and Autumn period. The pollution of Cu and Ni peaked during the Xi Zhou and Xia Dynasties, respectively. The pollution level of Pb has gradually increased since the Qin Dynasty and has coincided with the use of leaded gasoline. Cr contamination was moderate in all soil strata with little indication of change. Comprehensive heavy metal contamination was high during all of these periods, except during the Ming Dynasty, with peaks being observed between the Spring and Autumn Period and throughout the Warring States Period. Enrichment factors (EFs) were used to obtain information on heavy metal sources. The EFs indicate that most of the Hg and Cu originated from human activities, whereas Pb, Cr, and Ni predominantly came from crust weathering. Several preliminary inferences regarding the development of heavy metal utilization in the area were generated. Cu usage had developed well during the Xi Zhou Dynasty and the Autumn Period. Hg usage emerged during the Xia Dynasty and matured between the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period. Ni usage conceivably started during the Xia Dynasty. Other factors, such as religious activities, technology, environmental awareness and the intensity of salt production, have also affected heavy metal pollution concentrations.     

Heavy metal contamination and their distribution in different size fractions of the surficial sediment of Haihe River, China

Heavy metal contamination and their distribution in different size fractions of the surficial sediment in Haihe River, China have been investigated. These results reveal that the heavy metal contamination of Haihe River is closely related to the contaminating sources along the river and has the order: Cd > Cu > Pb > Cr. The contents of these heavy metals in the sediment of Haihe River are at least two times higher than their background values and the highest contaminating metal, Cd, is 15.5 times higher than its background value and determined in the urban area of Tianjin city. The surficial sediments of Haihe River, with 70% particles smaller than 20 μm, belong to sandy clay containing about 28% clay and 42% silt. Electron micrographs and x-ray analysis show that the concentrations of heavy metals depend on the particle size of sediments. The highest concentrations for most metals exist in fine-grained sediments, which are mainly composed of silicates, oxides, and hydroxides of Si, Fe, and Al. In contrast, lower levels of heavy metals are usually found in the coarse sandy sediments, which are composed of quartz, feldspar, and other rocky substances. Based on the results in the present study of the surficial sediments of Haihe River, the contents of Cr, Cu, Pd, and Cd in finer sediments are 2.4, 3.9, 2.8, and 3.6 times higher than those in coarse sandy sediments, respectively. Obviously, because of rapid industrial development in this area during the last few decades, the surficial sediments of Haihe River, especially those finer fractions, have been seriously contaminated by heavy metals.     

Heavy-metal loadings related to urban contamination in the Kooloonbung Creek catchment,Port Macquarie,New South Wales

Urbanisation and industrial development lead to contamination of estuaries and streams with dispersed loadings of heavy metals and metalloids. Contributions of these elements also occur from natural sources. This study provides baseline geochemical data on the respective natural and anthropogenic inputs of Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, As, Sb, Cr, Ni, Mn and S to estuarine, fluvial and wetland sediments, and adjacent soils, in the Kooloonbung Creek catchment that drains the Port Macquarie urban area in north coastal New South Wales. There have been anthropogenic additions of Cu, Pb, Zn and As from dispersed urban sources at Port Macquarie, but they are restricted to the local catchment and do not impact on the adjacent Hastings River estuary. The most contaminated sediments display enrichment factors up to 20 × for Cu and Pb, 9 × for Zn and 5 × for As relative to local background values. However, only one value (for Pb) exceeds National Water Quality Management Strategy interim sediment quality guideline (high) values. On the other hand, sediments and local soils are commonly strongly enriched in Cr, Ni and Mn, reflecting adjacent ultramafic and mafic rock substrate and lateritic regolith. Concentrations of Cr and Ni are commonly well above interim sediment quality guideline (high) values for sediments, but are in mineralogical forms that are not readily bioavailable. Sediment and soil quality guideline values consequently need to recognise natural enrichments and the mineralogical siting of heavy metals. Although dissolved concentrations of heavy metals in stream waters are commonly low, there is evidence for mobility of Cu, Zn, Fe and Al. Parts of the Kooloonbung Creek wetland area lie on sulfidic estuarine sediments (potential acid sulfate soils). Experimental oxidation of uncontaminated and contaminated sulfidic sediments leads to substantial dissolution of heavy metals under acid conditions, with subsequent aquatic mobility. The results warn about disturbance and oxidation of potential acid sulfate soils that have been contaminated by urban and natural heavy-metal sources.