Human-induced change in sedimentary trace metals and phosphorus in Chaohu Lake,China, over the past half-millennium

We present a sedimentary geochemical record of human perturbation in the watershed and related changes in trace metals (Cr, Ni, Zn and Pb), phosphorus and abundant rock-forming elements (Al, Fe, K, Mg, etc.) in Chaohu Lake over the past 500 years, a period spanning historical agricultural expansion and modern economic development. The record exhibited a stable terrestrial detrital input to Chaohu Lake before ca. 1540 AD, a period with less human perturbation of the watershed, which resulted in low and constant values of trace metals and phosphorus (TP) concentrations as well as Al, Fe, K, Mg, fine silt (<16 μm), the chemical index of alteration (CIA) and K/Na ratio. Two periods of successive marked increases in Al, Fe, K, Mg, fine silt, chemical index of alteration (CIA) and K/Na ratio occurred after ca. 1540 AD and 1950 AD. The former period apparently resulted from enhanced well-weathered topsoil erosion in the watershed related to the expansion of arable land, and the latter resulted from further enhancement of human perturbation in the watershed during the modern period. Concentrations of trace metals and TP were positively correlated with that of the rock-forming elements and fine silt. Trace metal pollution was limited during 1540–1950 AD, according to the low enrichment factors (EFs = 0.8–1.1), when an increase in trace metal concentrations was also linked to changes in detrital input. In addition to detrital regulation, pollution also contributed to an increase in TP concentrations (average EF 1.4) during 1540–1950 AD and the average accumulation rate of anthropogenic phosphorus was 87.3 mg m⁻² a⁻¹. Anthropogenic phosphorus increased further and Pb and Zn pollution also occurred after 1950 AD, reaching maximum values after 1980 AD, when the average accumulation rates of anthropogenic Zn, Pb and phosphorus (mainly in the form of NaOH-P) were 242.2, 43.3 and 811.8 mg m⁻² a⁻¹, respectively. The increase in phosphorus pollution in recent decades is probably from the domestic sewage sources of Hefei City and non-point sources related to agricultural utilization of commercial fertilizer, whereas Zn and Pb pollution is probably derived mainly from industrial sources of Hefei City, as deduced from their spatial variations in the sediments of the river mouths.     

东莞市农田土壤和蔬菜重金属含量分析(英文)

A total of 118 of agricultural soil and 43 of vegetable samples were collected from Dongguan City,Guangdong,China. The spatial distribution,sources,accumulation charac-teristics and potential risk of heavy metals in the agricultural soils and vegetables were de-picted in details by three different approaches,including total contents of eight metal ele-ments in soils and vegetables,GIS maps and multivariate analysis of heavy metals in soils in the study. The results show that there are higher accumulation of heavy metals such as Cu,Zn,Ni,Pb,Cd and Hg in agricultural soils,and the contents of Pb (65.38 mg kg-1) and Hg (0.24 mg kg-1) are 1.82 and 2.82 times of the background contents of the corresponding heavy metals in soils of Guangdong Province,respectively. There are about 3.4% of Cu,5.9% of Ni,1.7% of Cd and 28% of Hg in all collected soil samples from all investigated sites which have overran the contents for heavy metals of the China Environmental Quality Standard for Soils (GB15618-1995,Grade Ⅱ ). The pollution characteristics of multi-metals in soils are mainly reflected by Hg. There are different sources to eight metal elements in soils,Cu,Zn,Ni,Cr and As are predominantly derived from parent materials,and Pb,Hg and Cd are affected by anthropogenic activities. The spatial distribution shows that the Cu,Zn,Ni,Cr,Pb,As and Hg contents of agricultural soils are high in the west and low in the east,and Cd contents are high in the northwest,southeast and low in the southwest in Dongguan. The ratios of vegetable samples which Ni,Pb and As concentrations higher than the Maximum Levels of Con-taminants in Foods (GB2762-2005) are 4.7%,16.3% and 48.8%,respectively. The order of bio-concentration factors (BCF) of heavy metals in vegetables is Cd Zn Cu As Ni Hg Cr Pb. It is necessary to focus on potential risk of heavy metals for food safety and hu-man's health from agricultural soils and vegetables in Dongguan City,Guangdong Province.     

东莞市农田土壤和蔬菜重金属的含量特征分析

从东莞市采集118 个农田土壤样品和43 个蔬菜样品, 测试其中Cu、Zn、Ni、Cr、Pb、 Cd、As 和Hg 等8 种重金属元素的含量, 并结合GIS 制图和数据统计, 对农田土壤中重金属 的空间分布和来源、土壤和蔬菜中重金属的富集特征及其潜在风险进行了分析。结果表明, 农田土壤中Cu、Zn、Ni、Pb、Cd 和Hg 等元素含量均高于相应元素的广东省土壤背景值, 其中, Pb (65.38 mg kg^-1) 和Hg (0.24 mg kg^-1) 含量分别为其对应背景值的1.82 和2.82 倍。与我国《土壤环境质量标准》中II 级标准(pH < 6.5) 相比, 土壤中Cu、Ni、Cd 和Hg 含量样本超标率分别为3.4%、5.9%、1.7%和28%, 表现为以Hg 为主的多种重金属共同污染。土壤 中8 种重金属中Cu、Zn、Ni、Cr 和As 等元素主要来源于成土母质, Pb、Hg 和Cd 等元素主要与人类活动有关。空间分布上, Cu、Zn、Ni、Cr、Pb、As 和Hg 等7 种重金属含量呈现出西部高、东部低的特点, Cd 含量在西北部和东南部较高, 西南部较低。与《食品中污染物限量》(GB2762-2005) 等相关标准比较, 蔬菜中Ni、Pb 和As 含量的样本超标率分别为4.7%、16.3%和48.8%。蔬菜中重金属富集系数的顺序为: Cd > Zn > Cu > As > Ni > Hg > Cr > Pb。     

Heavy metal records in the sediments of Nanyihu Lake,China: influencing factors and source identification

In 2008, three short sedimentary cores were collected from Nanyihu Lake in the lower Yangtze River Basin using a gravity corer. Heavy metals, including Pb, Cu, Zn, Cr, Ni, Mn, and major elements, including Al, Fe, K, Na, Mg and Ti, were measured. Radionuclides, including ²¹⁰Pb and ¹³⁷Cs, were analyzed to date the sediments. The significant Mn enrichment in the uppermost sediments of the three cores did not influence the distribution of Pb, Cu, Zn, Cr and Ni. The Pb, Cu, Zn, Cr and Ni contents have increased over the past 30–40 years. The decline of ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb ratios toward the surface indicated increasing anthropogenic Pb loading to the lake sediments. However, the heavy metal enrichment was low overall because of the high sediment accumulation rates and the low anthropogenic heavy metal flux into the Nanyihu Lake.     

Past atmospheric Pb deposition in Lake Qinghai,northeastern Tibetan Plateau

Two short sediment cores were recovered from sub-basins of Lake Qinghai, China and were analyzed for concentrations of Pb and 16 other elements to determine historic, regional atmospheric Pb deposition on the Tibetan Plateau. Core chronologies, dating back to the eighteenth century, were established using activities of ²¹⁰Pb and ¹³⁷Cs. The 17 elements were divided into three principal components. Variations in concentrations of PC1 elements (Al, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mn, Ni, and Ti) demonstrate different patterns between the two cores, and are attributed to different sediment sources in the two sub-basins. PC2 elements (Ba, Ca, Na, and Sr) may be associated with the degree of catchment weathering and/or water chemistry. Four elements (Pb, Zn, P, and Co) are related to both PC1 and PC2, and reflect a mixture of natural and anthropogenic sources. The PC3 element is Mg in the north sub-basin, and is perhaps related to aragonite precipitation and/or increased farming. Elevated Pb concentrations in uppermost sediments of both cores signify a recent regional/global increase in anthropogenic Pb release into the environment. After subtracting lithogenic Pb, derived from rock weathering and/or dust and normalized to the background immobile element Ti, results suggest that excess, anthropogenic Pb is transferred to the lake and its sediments predominantly via the atmosphere. This anthropogenic atmospheric Pb is comparable in magnitude and displays similar variation patterns in the two cores, reflecting regional atmospheric deposition and local erosion. The average anthropogenic Pb deposition rate in Lake Qinghai since the 1960s has been ~12.2 ± 3.5 mg/m²/a, comparable with atmospheric Pb fluxes reported for sites elsewhere in the northern hemisphere.     

A sediment record of trace metal loadings in the Upper Mississippi River

Sediment cores from Lake Pepin, a natural lake on the Upper Mississippi River, reveal the historical trends in trace metal use and discharge in the watershed. Lead-210 dated concentration profiles of trace metals (Ag, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb, V, Zn) in sediment cores from throughout the lake generally showed low and stable concentrations prior to settlement (circa 1830), peak concentrations between 1940 and 1975, and substantial decreases thereafter. Whole-lake sediment accumulation rates increased greatly over the period of record, from 79,000 metric tons year⁻¹ prior to 1830, to 876,000 metric tons year⁻¹ during the 1990s. Whole-lake accumulation rates of most trace metals peaked in the 1960s but decreased sharply after that. Sediment and trace metal accumulation rates decreased in the downstream direction, and approximately two-thirds of the sediment and trace metal mass accumulated in Lake Pepin since 1800 was deposited in the upper 30% (by area) of the lake. The dramatic declines in trace metal concentrations and accumulation rates in Lake Pepin sediments since 1970 coincide with increased pollution control and prevention efforts throughout the watershed, including the implementation of secondary treatment at a large municipal wastewater treatment plant upstream. This is one of eight papers dedicated to the “Recent Environmental History of the Upper Mississippi River” published in this special issue of the Journal of Paleolimnology. D.R. Engstrom served as guest editor of the special issue.     

Heavy metals and phosphorus in tidal flat sediments of the Yangtze estuary

Concentrations of heavy metals (Cu, Pb, Zn, Cr and Cd), and phosphorous (P) were determined in surface tidal flat sediments of the Yangtze estuary and Shanghai coast. Results demonstrate that there were significant differences among the accumulation of the heavy metals in sediments, following the order: Zn > Cu > Cr > Pb > Cd. The spatial distribution and chemical forms of heavy metals in tidal flat sediments were closely related to the distribution of pollution resources (outlet of sewage) and the local sedimentary and hydrodynamic conditions. The dominated form of non-residual heavy metals is bound to Fe/Mn oxides, and the next form is bound to carbonates. Moreover, contents of total P in sediments range from 18.0 μmol.g⁻¹ to 31.4 μmol.g⁻¹ along the coastline, speciation of P in sediments was different, most of P in tidal flat sediments is associated with calcium phases (as Ca-P) similar to marine sediments.     

Lead pollution history from 256 BC to AD 2005 inferred from the Pb isotope ratio (<Superscript>206</Superscript>Pb/<Superscript>207</Superscript>Pb) in a varve record of Lake Korttajärvi in Finland

The lead pollution history, based on the accumulation rate of total Pb and ratio of stable isotopes (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb), was studied in the annually laminated sediment of a small lake in Finland (62°20′ N; 25°41′ E). The sediment chronology based on varve counting provided a unique opportunity to explore and date signals of Pb emissions, including the ancient metallurgical activities of the Roman Empire at the beginning of the Current Era. Changes in the ratio of stable isotopes gave a pronounced signal of the atmospheric Pb fallout in AD 32–392, although this was not distinguishable in the accumulation rate of total Pb, as it was observed in previous work. Calculated accumulations of the ancient pollution Pb were low, the highest values being 0.2–0.3 mg m² a⁻¹ in AD 144–392, corresponding 14–21% of the accumulation of total Pb. The accumulation of pollution Pb collapsed in the fifth century and remained at or close to the background level up to the eleventh century. After this, the accumulation rate of pollution Pb began to increase and reached 1.2 mg m² a⁻¹ in AD 1420–1439, corresponding to 44% of the total Pb accumulation. During five centuries, from AD 1420–1895, the average accumulation of pollution Pb was 2.6 mg m² a⁻¹, the variation being from 0.8 to 4.8 mg m² a⁻¹. The accumulation of Pb started to increase exponentially in the early twentieth century, and the highest accumulations of pollution Pb (11–22 mg m² a⁻¹, corresponding 50–76% of the annual accumulation of total Pb) were dated to AD 1926–1985. The banning of the use of leaded fuel has led to a pronounced decrease in the accumulation of pollution Pb since the 1980s, and the present accumulation rate represents the level that prevailed 80–120 years ago.     

Sources and chronology of fifteen elements in the sediments of lakes affected by metal deposition in a mining area

Sources and chronologies of metal contamination were studied in sediment cores of three lakes of the Rouyn-Noranda mining area (Québec, Canada) affected by atmospheric deposition of anthropogenic contaminants. One of the three lakes also received acid mine drainage. The sediments were dated using ²¹⁰Pb and ¹³⁷Cs and analysed for stable Pb isotope ratios and for total concentrations of 15 elements (Ag, Al, Au, Ca, Cu, Cd, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, P, Pb, S, Ti, Zn). Stable lead isotopic signatures helped to determine the quantitative contributions of different industrial Pb sources to our sampling sites. This source apportionment showed the dominant influence of the Rouyn-Noranda copper smelter in airborne Pb emissions for the decades following 1926, when industrialization began in the region. The smelter source had a low ratio of ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb ranging between 0.90 and 1.05, as typical of the Abitibi Archean sulphides. The relationships between element (metal) sedimentary fluxes and anthropogenic Pb fluxes allowed us to infer the origin of the anthropogenic source. These relationships strongly suggest that the copper smelter was (and may still be) an atmospheric source of Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn, Ag and Hg to the surrounding lakes. Our study indicates that the efforts made by the Rouyn-Noranda copper smelter to reduce airborne emissions of metals have been translated in reduced atmospheric metal loadings to the surrounding lakes.     

Environmental variability in Lake Naivasha,Kenya, over the last two centuries

Lake Naivasha, Kenya, is one of a number of freshwater lakes in the East African Rift System. Since the beginning of the twentieth century, it has experienced greater anthropogenic influence as a result of increasingly intensive farming of coffee, tea, flowers, and other horticultural crops within its catchment. The water-level history of Lake Naivasha over the past 200 years was derived from a combination of instrumental records and sediment data. In this study, we analysed diatoms in a lake sediment core to infer past lacustrine conductivity and total phosphorus concentrations. We also measured total nitrogen and carbon concentrations in the sediments. Core chronology was established by ²¹⁰Pb dating and covered a ~186-year history of natural (climatic) and human-induced environmental changes. Three stratigraphic zones in the core were identified using diatom assemblages. There was a change from littoral/epiphytic diatoms such as Gomphonema gracile and Cymbella muelleri, which occurred during a prolonged dry period from ca. 1820 to 1896 AD, through a transition period, to the present planktonic Aulacoseira sp. that favors nutrient-rich waters. This marked change in the diatom assemblage was caused by climate change, and later a strong anthropogenic overprint on the lake system. Increases in sediment accumulation rates since 1928, from 0.01 to 0.08 g cm⁻² year⁻¹ correlate with an increase in diatom-inferred total phosphorus concentrations since the beginning of the twentieth century. The increase in phosphorus accumulation suggests increasing eutrophication of freshwater Lake Naivasha. This study identified two major periods in the lake’s history: (1) the period from 1820 to 1950 AD, during which the lake was affected mainly by natural climate variations, and (2) the period since 1950, during which the effects of anthropogenic activity overprinted those of natural climate variation.     

Sedimentary trace-element records of natural and human-induced environmental changes in the East China Sea

Total and chemical fractions of nine potential harmful elements (V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb and Bi) and five lithogenic elements (Li, Sc, Rb, Cs and Th) in two ²¹⁰Pb-dated cores from the East China Sea were analyzed to investigate their applications in paleoenvironment studies, and to reconstruct the histories of environmental changes. The residual fraction was the largest pool of trace elements in sediments. Potential harmful elements exhibited distributions that were similar to residual fractions and the lithogenic elements, indicating their terrestrial origin mainly derived from the Changjiang River and the old Huanghe delta. In the coastal core, the distributions of total and residual trace elements recorded the dry/wet variations of the Changjiang runoff since the 1850s. Total potential harmful elements and lithogenic elements in the offshore core reflected fluctuations in the strength of the Jiangsu coastal current and the East Asia Winter Monsoon over the last century. The response mechanisms of sedimentary trace elements to the runoff and monsoon variations involved direct terrestrial input of elements and the impacts of TOC and sediment grain size on trace elements in sediments. Enrichment factors (EFs), chemical fractions and principal component analysis (PCA) were used to evaluate the anthropogenic disturbance on potential harmful elements. PCA identified the lithogenic fraction of trace elements in both cores and the anthropogenic/authigenic input in the coastal core. Increases of the EFs and labile fractions of Zn, Pb and Bi in upper sediments of the coastal core indicated increased anthropogenic input of Zn and Pb since the 1980s, and increased Bi input since the 1940s. Increases in oxidizable Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb and Bi above 16 cm were related to eutrophication and elevated marine organic matter in inshore East China Sea after the 1990s. Sediment records in offshore did not show any evidence of anthropogenic influence on the potential harmful elements. This study revealed that trace elements in sediments were good proxies for natural and human-induced environmental changes in waters.     

近60年来星云湖沉积物中重金属污染记录

文章以星云湖08XY-4号钻孔岩芯为研究对象,通过对岩芯的137Cs和210Pb测年和多种元素组分(重金属元素Cd、Cr、Cu、Pb、Zn,成岩组分Fe、Mg、Al、有机质、碳酸盐和烧失量)的含量分析,系统研究了星云湖近60年来底泥中重金属的来源和污染历史,并借助地积累指数法对星云湖的重金属污染程度进行了评定。结果表明20世纪80年代末期以前,星云湖沉积物中元素Cd、Cr、Cu主要为自然来源,之后受当地工业化蓬勃发展的影响,人类活动对湖泊重金属含量的影响显著增强;元素Pb的污染历史早于20世纪50年代,与全球很多区域Pb污染要早于其它多数重金属污染这一现象相似;此外,可能受当地特殊的工业发展历史影响,1973～1991年期间星云湖遭受严重的Zn污染,平均污染指数值达到3.25,按Muller污染指数分级属4级偏重污染。综合来看,当前星云湖的污染程度仍然较轻,但是近期人类活动的影响已明显显现,需要加以重视。     

Reconstructing recent sedimentation in two urbanised coastal lagoons (NSW,Australia) using radioisotopes and geochemistry

In this study, we combined grain size and geochemical analyses with radioisotope analysis of lead-210 (²¹⁰Pb), caesium-137 (¹³⁷Cs) and radiocarbon (¹⁴C) ages to reconstruct the sedimentation history of two urbanised coastal lagoons in south-east Australia. Towradgi and Fairy Lagoons were both found to exhibit slow initial sedimentation of less than 1 mm year⁻¹ prior to anthropogenic influences. Land clearing in the catchments increased runoff and erosion in the creeks feeding into the estuaries, and has resulted in progradation of fluvial material into the estuarine systems with a marked increase in sedimentation to between 2 and 7 mm year⁻¹. The upper 20–50 cm of the sediment column in both lagoons contained elevated concentrations of heavy metals such as Pb, Cu, Ni and Zn. This pollution trend was found to be consistent with the history of industrialisation and urbanisation in the region, which expanded rapidly post World War 2. The total metal concentrations were consistent with other urbanised/industrialised estuaries around the world. Despite the fairly disturbed nature of these coastal lagoons, the use of ²¹⁰Pb, ¹³⁷Cs and ¹⁴C dating in combination with bulk geochemical analyses allowed detailed reconstruction of sedimentation history.     

A test of the integrity of metal records in sediment cores based on the documented history of metal contamination in Lac Dufault (Québec, Canada)

There is an important volume of published information on Lac Dufault (Québec) which describes the history of metal inputs over 70 years and the changes that occurred in the lake as a result of this contamination. We used this abundant source of chronological markers to test the hypothesis that lake sediments can provide true historical records of trace metal loading from metal mining. Sediment cores were obtained from the deepest zone of the lake (19 m). The sediments were dated using ²¹⁰Pb and ¹³⁷Cs and they were analyzed for total elemental concentrations (Ca, Cd, Cu, Fe, P, Pb, S, Zn). Metal profiles in the sediment core preserved the distinct signatures of different mine exploitations documented in the lake watershed. In particular, the core recorded: the beginning of industrialization in 1926; increasing sedimentation rates associated with perturbations in the lake watershed; the maximum of sediment [Cu] and the contemporary exploitation of ore bodies rich in Cu; the maximum of sediment [Fe] and the contemporary production of pyrite by a mining operation; the low sediment [Cu] and [Zn] in the 1950s and the low contemporary production of these metals by mining operations; the maximum of sediment [Cd] and the contemporary production of Cd by a subsequent mining operation. Anomalies in the distribution of ²¹⁴Pb activities in sediments reflected the intensity of acid mine drainage (AMD). There is good evidence that the lake resisted acidification from this AMD for the last thirty years. Overall, our results support the thesis that profiles of sedimentary Cd, Cu, Zn, Pb and Fe levels reflect the past history of metal input to Lac Dufault.     

西太湖沉积物污染的地球化学记录及对比研究

通过对西太湖MS、DLS沉积短岩芯中金属元素、营养指标的对比分析,讨论了西太湖近80年来的元素地球化学演化特征。结果表明,20世纪40年代以前,西太湖沉积物中元素为自然来源;40~70年代末期,除北部Hg、TP受到人为污染之外,其余元素仍主要为自然来源;70年代末期以来,重金属元素人为污染逐渐加重,湖泊营养程度升高。西太湖北部沉积物中Pb、Zn、Mn、Ni、As污染开始于20世纪70年代末期,Hg污染开始于40年代初期;与北部相比,南部沉积物重金属污染历史较短,Pb、Zn污染开始于70年代末期,As、Mn、Ni、Hg污染开始于80年代中期~末期。西太湖北部、南部沉积物中TN、TOC含量70年代末期以来开始增加,C/N比值增大,有机质外源输入比例增加。西太湖北部沉积物中TP含量自40年代初期以来逐渐增加,受到人为污染;南部TP含量在40~70年代略高,但无明显的人为污染特征。     

连环湖马圈泡沉积物重金属污染及潜在生态风险

通过对连环湖马圈泡柱状沉积物重金属（Cr、Cu、Mn、Ni、Pb、Zn、Cd）等地球化学指标的分析, 对马圈泡沉积物污染历史进行了讨论。根据元素的变化趋势,结合颗粒组成指标,采用相关分析,富集状况及潜在生态风险评价,并辅以²¹⁰Pb、¹³⁷Cs测年数据,研究了自1937年以来该湖区沉积物重金属元素污染特征、来源、污染历史及污染程度。结果表明,1987年以前各元素含量变化趋势平稳,1987年至今,7种重金属元素含量均明显增加。重金属元素的来源包括自然来源和人为输入。从单向污染系数来看Cu、Ni、Cr、Pb、Zn属于中等污染强度,Mn、Cd达到了强污染程度;从综合污染系数来看,表层重金属元素主要为中等程度的污染。沉积物重金属污染历史与该区经济发展阶段相吻合可为其湖区生态环境的整治与改善提供基础性的数据资料。     

Arsenic contamination of lake sediments in Florida: evidence of herbicide mobility from watershed soils

Organic arsenical herbicides, which include monosodium methylarsonate (MSMA), have been applied to golf courses and lawns throughout Florida, USA, since the 1950s. These products convert rapidly to inorganic forms of arsenic (As) in soils and are mobilized readily. Leachates have been known to contaminate groundwater and surface waters, although past studies have not examined whether use of these products has led to significant As accumulation in lake sediments. We used paleolimnological methods to document the depositional history and inventories of total As in sediments and porewaters of Little Lake Jackson in Florida, which is adjacent to three golf courses. Six sediment cores, four of which were ²¹⁰Pb dated, showed porewater total As concentrations as high as 435 μg l⁻¹, and dry-sediment total As concentrations as high as 148 mg kg⁻¹. Approximately 537 kg of total As is present in >19,000 metric tons of sediment (dry mass), and an additional 18 kg of As is dissolved in 10.8 × 10⁴ m³ of porewaters. Total As content in surface sediments (mean = 47.3 mg kg⁻¹) exceeds the consensus-based sedimentary concentration for probable toxicity effects in freshwater benthic fauna. Surface and subsurface waters flow to the lake from topographically higher areas to the west, where golf courses and residential areas are located. Total As concentrations were elevated highly in monitoring wells and in a stream that flows between the golf courses and lake, but As was below detection limits in wells that were located at the distal perimeter of the golf courses. Subsurface and surface waters exit the lake towards topographically lower areas to the east. Nearly all As in sediments remains bound in the solid phase, indicating that As sedimentary profiles largely reflect depositional history. Sedimentary As concentrations are correlated strongly with aluminum and iron, which suggests that As was scavenged from lake waters during the past. Sedimentary As concentrations increased until the 1980s, then declined somewhat to the present time. Dissolved As was scavenged efficiently from the water column when hypolimnetic waters were oxygenated persistently, but after eutrophication led to a seasonally anoxic hypolimnion in the 1980s, apparently less As was co-precipitated, and more was lost to hydrological outflow. Arsenic accumulation in sediments might be common in areas where As derived from organic arsenical herbicide applications is directed by shallow water tables towards adjacent lakes.     

珠穆朗玛峰地区雪冰中重金属浓度与季节变化

对2005 年9 月采自珠穆朗玛峰北坡海拔6523 m 的东绒布冰川积累区一批雪坑样品中重金属Ba, Co, Cu, Zn 和Pb 的浓度利用电感耦合等离子体质谱仪进行了测试, 重金属浓度范围分别为(pg/ml); Ba2~227、Co2.8~15.7、Cu 10~120、Zn29~4948、Pb14~142。并利用气体稳 定同位素质谱仪MAT-252 对样品稳定氧同位素比率(δ¹⁸O) 进行了测试, 雪坑样品对应的时间为2004 年夏到2005 年秋, δ¹⁸O和重金属元素的浓度都存在着季节变化特征。在夏季风期间δ¹⁸O 值和重金属元素的浓度都很低,而在非夏季风期间δ¹⁸O值和重金属元素浓度升高,反映了不同的水汽来源对重金属浓度季节变化的影响及其环境意义。Co, Cu, Pb, Zn 的地壳富集系数(EF_c) 分别为: 3.6、27、33、180, 表明该地区Pb, Cu, Zn 已经受到了人类活动的污染, 其中Zn 受到的污染最大。     

中国公路交通的重金属排放及其对土地污染的初步估算

本文研究了全国各省市机动车Pb、Cu、Zn、Cd排放总量和公路两侧土壤中Pb含量的分布及其面积。结果表明,东部发达省份机动车的重金属排放量较西部地区大。使用含铅汽油的1990~1996年期间,北京市公路两侧土壤中Pb的年输入量为2.48~3.17 mg/ (kg · a)、累积量为11.4 mg/kg;1997~2003年使用无铅汽油后,两者分别下降到0.26~0.29 mg/(kg · a)和1.30 mg/kg。公路两侧的土壤中Pb含量随垂直距离的外延呈指数形式下降。公路交通对道路两侧土壤产生严重和轻度Pb污染的范围分别为距公路0~10 m和10~65 m。2003年北京市和全国受公路交通Pb污染的土地面积为2310 km²和28900 km²。公路交通的重金属排放是导致我国土地污染的重要原因之一。