结合主成分分析法(PCA)和正定矩阵因子分解法(PMF)的鄱阳湖丰水期表层沉积物重金属源解析

为识别表层沉积物重金属的来源以及量化源贡献,选取鄱阳湖丰水期表层沉积物为研究对象,测定14种重金属(V、Cr、Co、Ni、Cu、Zn、Sr、Mo、Cd、Sb、W、Pb、Hg和As)的含量,分析其污染及空间分布特征,并利用主成分分析法(PCA)和正定矩阵因子分解法(PMF)对沉积物重金属进行源解析.结果表明:除V和Cr外,Cd、Mo、Hg、Cu、Pb、Zn、W、Sr、As、Ni、Co和Sb的平均含量分别为江西省土壤背景值的5.7、2.2、1.9、1.8、1.5、1.5、1.4、1.3、1.3、1.2、1.0和1.0倍; Cd、Hg、Cu、Mo、Pb、Sr和Zn超出江西省土壤背景值的比例相对较高,分别为100%、100%、100%、100%、97%、97%和93%,所有沉积物样品中Cd含量超过农用地土壤污染风险筛选值的比例为51%; V、Cr、Co、Ni、Cu、Zn、Sr、Mo、Sb、W、Pb、Hg和As含量呈未污染至弱污染水平,而Cd含量属于中等污染水平,接近于重污染水平.总体而言,Cd的污染相对较严重.重金属的分布具有显著的区域特征,其中Cr、Cu、Zn、Sr、Pb、Hg和As的空间分布十分相似,表现为在赣江、抚河、信江和饶河入湖口附近区域含量较高,而Co、Ni、Mo和Sb明显在湖区南部、东北部和修水入湖附近这3个区域聚集,Cd和W的空间变异性相对较大,V的含量分布相对较均匀.PCA和PMF解析结果都表明鄱阳湖丰水期表层沉积物重金属受4种来源的共同影响,其中,矿业和工业活动的影响最大,相对贡献率为38%,其次是尾矿和废渣,相对贡献率为28%,再是农业活动,相对贡献率为19%,最后是自然来源的相对贡献率为14%.     

Heavy metals contamination levels at the Coast of Aliağa (Turkey) ship recycling zone

Alia?a Bay is one of the most important maritime zones of Turkey where shipping activity, shipbreaking industry, steel works and petrochemical complexes exist together. Concentrations of heavy metals and organic carbon in sediment of the Alia?a Bay were investigated to evaluate an environmental risk assessment from metals contamination in 2009-2010. Comparison of the metal concentrations with average shale and Mediterranean background levels revealed that most of the samples from the Alia?a were polluted with Hg, Cd, Pb, Cr, Cu, Zn, Mn and Ni. It was found that Hg, Pb, Cu, Zn and Ni levels in Alia?a Bay exceeded the PEL values. Sediments, contaminated with Pb, Cr, Cu, Zn and Ni were considered as heavily polluted per the SQG.     

Textural and geochemical characteristics of off shore sediment of North Bay of Bengal:A statistical approach for marine metal pollution

Metal pollution study on sediments of North Bay of Bengal sediments presented in this paper is based on existing Lithostratigraphy of upstream,mineralogy and geochemical analysis of 42 sediment samples.The statistical analysis identifies the metal pollution as well as its apparent source in the off shore regions.Samples were analyzed for grain size,organic content and heavy metals(Fe,Mn,Cr,Cu,Ni,Pb,Cd,Zn and Co) using the sequential extraction method to evaluate geochemical processes and pollution load.In an effort to surmise anthropogenic input,several approaches including classification by quantitative indexes such as enrichment factor,contamination factor,degree of pollution,pollution load index and geo accumulation index,were attempted.Metal speciation results indicate high%of Cd in exchangeable fraction of Mahanadi transect sediments where as a considerable amount of oxidizable fraction of Cr was detected at Dhamra.Quantitative indexes place North Bay of Bengal under moderately polluted zone due to high level of Cd.Normalization of metals to Fe indicated relatively high enrichment factors for Cd and Cr.Factor analysis identified seven possible types of geochemical associations where sediment pH plays a major role for the heavy metal mobility.The higher Cd concentration in exchangeable fraction as well as the higher EF for Cd and Cr present in sediment may pose a risk of secondary water pollution under slightest disturbance in the geo-chemistry of sediments.Comparison study with available data of near costal zones and upstream stratigraphy revealed that open cast mining,overburden dumping,mineral based industrial effluents were the major source of pollution for catchment area contamination.Bay of Bengal is likely to face a serious threat of metal pollution with the present deposition rates unless rigorous pollution control norms are applied.     

Sedimentary Records of Evolution of Heavy Metals in Songhua Lake,Northeast China

In this paper, the vertical variations of heavy metal elements (including Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in the sediments of Songhua Lake are analyzed using sediment cores. A 70‐year evolutionary history of these heavy metal elements in Songhua Lake is described and the sources of the heavy metals in the sediments are investigated by evaluating the pollution characteristics of the metals in terms of their enrichment coefficients and geoaccumulation indexes. The results indicate that Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn in the sediments originated mainly from basin erosion and were transported to the lake by rivers. Cd and Hg in the sediments also originated from basin erosion that occurred prior to the mid‐1990s, and these sediments have since been overlaid by artificial pollution. The distribution of heavy metals in the sediments of Songhua Lake is influenced by many factors, including sediment composition, the relative importance of fluvial input, and artificial pollution.     

云南阳宗海沉积物重金属污染时空特征及潜在生态风险

分析了阳宗海柱状及表层沉积物中Al、Fe、Mn、Zn、Cr、Co、Ni、Cu、As、Cd、Pb等金属元素的含量,结合沉积年代学,研究了沉积物重金属污染的时空变化和潜在生态风险特征.结果表明,表层沉积物中重金属含量具有一定的空间差异性,As、Cd、Cu、Pb和Zn在中东部湖区含量较高,而Cr、Co、Ni含量高值位于南、北湖区的近岸区域;柱状沉积物中,1990s之前As、Cd、Cu、Pb和Zn含量较为稳定,1990s中后期以来,其含量逐渐增加,并在2009-2010年前后达到最大值,此后逐渐下降;而柱状沉积物中Cr、Co、Ni含量变化趋势与Al、Fe相似,总体上由下向上逐渐降低,这主要与沉积物质地(粒度)逐渐变粗有关.重金属富集系数表明,阳宗海沉积物中主要污染元素为As、Cd、Cu、Pb和Zn,1990s中后期污染程度快速增加,2009-2010年前后达到峰值,此后污染程度逐渐降低;表层沉积物中Cu为未污染至"弱"污染水平;Zn、Pb为"弱-中等"污染水平,As为"中等-强"污染水平,Cd为"弱-强"污染水平,中东部湖区污染程度高于其他湖区,这可能与该湖区缺少入湖径流、自然碎屑物质沉积速率较低以及砷污染事件等人为源的重金属贡献影响更为显著有关.生态风险评价结果表明,在2002-2010年前后沉积物重金属达到"中等-强"潜在生态危害,主要贡献因子是Cd和As,近年来其生态风险等级逐渐降低;表层沉积物中重金属在中东部湖区具有"中等"程度潜在生态危害,而其他湖区表层沉积物重金属具有较低程度的潜在生态风险.     

Anreicherung und Verteilung von Schwermetallen und anderen Elementen in Oberflächensedimenten der Berliner Gewässer und ihres Umlands Enrichment and Distribution of Heavy Metals and Other Elements in Surface Sediments of Berlin Waters (Germany) and their Surroundings

For a wide variety of substances aquatic systems are the medium of origin, or sinks in a longer or shorter lasting stay or even in geological periods. For surface sediments of Berlin waters and their surroundings this paper describes the enrichment and distribution of heavy metals (SM), which have a high priority under international aspects and a marked capability to geoaccumulation. From the 25 metals investigated Hg, Pb, Cu, Cd and Zn are of anthropogenic origin, all others are of geochemical provenience and correspond to background values. Some metals (Hg, Cd, Ni, Co, Cu, Cr and Pb) have specific concentration profiles with increasing depth of water and sediment. The study of correlation of SM in sediments demonstrates generally a strong relation to macroelements and between some metals themselves.     

Distribution and ecological risk assessment of some heavy metals in coastal surface sediments along the Red Sea,Egypt

The ecological risk assessment for Al,Zn,Cu,Ni,V,Pb,Cd,and Hg in surface sediment collected from the Egyptian Red Sea coast was evaluated using the Geo-accumulation Index(I_(geo)).Sediment Enrichment Factor(SEF) and Potential Ecological Risk Index(PERI) methods.The predominant heavy metal,aluminum,showed high concentrations along both of Aqaba Gulf(4378.8 ± 2554.1 μg/g) and southern part of the Red Sea(2972.8 + 1527.5 μg/g).while it recorded the lowest concentration in Suez Gulf(829.7 ± 398.2 μg/g).The determined heavy metal concentrations had the order of Al Zn -Ni V Pb Cu Cd Hg.The statistical analyses showed some correlations among the heavy metals contents.Several international sediment quality guidelines were used to estimate the quality of the collected sediments.Interestingly,the recorded average heavy metals concentrations were lower than those of the permissible contents for sediment quality guidelines.The Geo-accumulation index calculations(I_(geo)) proved that the investigated region could be classified as an unpolluted area.Sediment Enrichment Factor(K_(SEF)) study showed high values in Suez Gulf region.The single pollution index analysis of heavy metals in the sediments(C~i_f) indicated that Al,Zn,V,and Pb were of natural origin,while Ni,Cd and Hg were seriously affected by human activities.Interestingly,amongst,all the determined heavy metals,Cd and Hg gave moderate ecological risk indicators.     

Heavy metal content and lithological properties of recent sediments in the Northern Adriatic

Heavy metal (Hg, Pb, Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni, Co, Zn and Fe) concentrations, textural characters and mineralogical compositions have been determined on 246 surface sediment samples from the Northern Adriatic Italian sea area. The relationship between the heavy metals content and the pelite (< 63 μm fraction) percentage has been studied. All the metals resulted accumulated in the fine fraction with the following percentages (Hg, 95%; Zn, 86%; Pb, 82%; Cu, 79%; Cd, 74%; Ni, 70%; Cr, 65%; Co, 65% and Fe, 64%). The specific surface area has been measured on 44 samples and correlated to metal values. A fairly good (50% and more variation explained) linear correlation co-efficient has been found for Ni and Cu in the entire area, less significant correlation for other metals. In order to discriminate between natural and anthropogenic origin the metal concentrations on the whole sediment has been normalized on the basis of the pelite percentage. In the areal distributions drawn with the corrected values, zones contaminated by industrial discharges have been identified mainly in front of the lagoon of Venice.     

Evaluation of metal contamination in coastal sediments of the Bay of Bengal, India: geochemical and statistical approaches

Surface sediment samples collected from the inner shelf region of the Bay of Bengal, were analysed for the major elements and total and acetic acid available trace elements (Al, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Si, Zn) to evaluate geochemical processes influencing their distribution. Major elemental analysis showed that the sediments had high concentrations of Si and relatively low concentrations of Al and Fe. Both major elemental and trace metal concentrations indicated that the sediments represent weathered products of granite and charnockite. Normalization of metals to Al indicated relatively high enrichment factors for Pb, Cd, Zn and Cr. The higher proportions of nondetrital Pb (66%), Cd (41%) and Co (28%) reveal metal contamination due to anthropogenic inputs. Factor analysis (FA) identified six possible types of sedimentological and geochemical associations. The dominant factor accounting for 26.9% of the total variance identifies an anthropogenic input and accumulation of nondetrital Cd, Co, Cr, Ni and Pb. Association of these metals with CaCO3 reveals that shell fragments in the surface sediments are likely act as a carrier phase for nondetrital metals. The results are discussed in the context of the sources and pathways of elements in the Bay of Bengal.     

巢湖湖区及主要出入湖河流表层沉积物重金属污染特征及风险评价

为了解巢湖湖区及主要出入湖河流沉积物中重金属的污染特征,对表层沉积物中重金属元素含量进行分析,基于地积累指数法、潜在生态风险指数法和沉积物质量基准法对沉积物污染风险进行评价,并对沉积物重金属来源进行初步分析.结果表明,河流沉积物中重金属的平均含量显著高于湖区,是湖区沉积物重金属含量的1.18~5.15倍,其中南淝河Cu、Zn、Pb、As和Hg含量较高,分别是背景值的3.53、16.98、3.98、5.84和23.11倍,西半湖Cu、Zn、Pb、Cd和Hg平均含量要高于东半湖,是全湖平均的1.04~1.45倍.地积累指数法和Hkanson潜在生态风险指数法评价结果均表明,Cd和Hg是主要的生态风险贡献因子,在所调查的表层沉积物中Cd和Hg数值分别为43.17~3870.94和29.96~924.57,已处于较大风险数值.此外,源分析结果表明,巢湖湖区及主要出入湖河流表层沉积物中Cu、Zn、Pb、Cr、Hg和As相关性显著,具有相似的来源,可能来自于工业废水与生活污水.     

抚仙湖沉积物重金属时空变化与人为污染评价

分析了抚仙湖表层沉积物及沉积短岩芯中10种金属元素含量,结合沉积年代学,定量研究了Cr、Cu、Ni、Pb、Zn的污染特征及时空变化规律;参考沉积物质量基准与潜在生态风险指数法探讨了表层沉积物重金属的潜在生态风险.结果表明,表层沉积物中重金属含量具有一定的空间差异性,近岸地区重金属含量总体上高于湖心区;Pb、Zn含量自1980s中期以来逐渐增加,而Cr、Cu、Ni含量呈下降趋势.重金属富集系数与聚类分析结果表明,抚仙湖沉积物主要重金属污染元素为Pb、Zn,污染开始于1980s中期,并逐渐加重.表层沉积物中Pb、Zn富集系数分别为1.6~4.1和1.4~2.6,已达到弱—中等污染程度,北部湖区污染程度略高于南部湖区;除此之外,北部湖区近岸区域Cr污染程度也略高于其他湖区.除了大气沉降来源之外,抚仙湖沉积物重金属污染还可能与入湖河流输入有关.单因子生态风险指数表明,表层沉积物中Cr、Cu、Ni、Pb、Zn具有较低的潜在生态风险;而综合潜在生态风险指数表明,表层沉积物中重金属具有中等程度的潜在生态风险,这与根据沉积物质量基准所获得的评价结果一致.     

Assessment of Metal Contamination in Surface Sediments of Jiaozhou Bay,Qingdao, China

An assessment of metal contamination in surface sediments of the Jiaozhou Bay, Qingdao, one of the rapidly developing coastal economic zones in China, is provided. Sediments were collected from 10 stations and a total of 15 heavy metals were analyzed. Concentrations of metals show significant variability and range from 210 to 620 ppm for Ti, 2.7 to 23 ppm for Ni, 4.2 to 28 ppm for Cu, 5.2 to 18 ppm for Pb, 12 to 58 ppm for Zn, 0.03 to 0.11 ppm for Cd, 5 to 51 ppm for Cr, 1.5 to 9.9 ppm for Co, 5.3 to 19 ppm for As, 12 to 32 ppm for Se, and 19 to 97 ppm for Sr. Based on concentration relationships and enrichment factor (EF) analyses, the results indicate that sediment grain size and organic matter played important roles in controlling the distribution of the heavy metals in surface sediments of the Jiaozhou Bay. The study shows that the sediment of the Jiaozhou Bay has been contaminated by heavy metals to various degrees, with prominent arsenic contributing the most to the contamination. The analysis suggests that the major sources of metal contamination in the Jiaozhou Bay are land‐based anthropogenic ones, such as discharge of industrial waste water and municipal sewage and run‐off. Notably, the elevated heavy metal concentrations of the Jiaozhou Bay sediments could have a significant impact on the bay's ecosystem. With the rapid economic development and urbanization around the Jiaozhou Bay, coastal management and pollution control should focus on these contaminant sources, as well as provide ongoing monitoring studies of heavy metal contamination within the bay.     

Concentration and fractionation of trace metals in surface sediments of intertidal Bohai Bay, China

Surface sediments from intertidal Bohai Bay were sampled for the geochemical and environmental assessment of six trace metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn). Results indicate that sediment grain size plays an important role in controlling the distribution and fractionation of them. Metal concentrations in clayey silt sediments are all clearly higher than in sand and silty sand ones. Cd and Pb in clayey silt sediments are more mobile than in sand and silty sand ones. Two sediment quality guidelines and two geochemical normalization methods (index of geoaccumulation and enrichment factor) were used to judge the potential risk and accumulation of metals. According to the mean probable effects level quotient, the combination of studied metals may have a 21% probability of being toxic. The sediments with high fraction of clay and silt have been contaminated by trace metals to various degrees, among which Cr contributes the most to contamination.     

Relationship between metal enrichments and a biological adverse effects index in sediments from Todos Santos Bay, northwest coast of Baja California, México

In 1992 and 2004, heavy metals concentrations were measured in surficial sediments from Todos Santos Bay, located in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico. The aim was to search for relationships between metal enrichment factors and a biological adverse effects index. Unlike Ni, the elements Cd, Cu and Zn showed significant correlations (p<0.05) between enrichment factors and the biological adverse effects index. Cu showed a 0.74:1 relationship, which means that any enrichment above 0.74 could represent biological adverse effects. On the other hand, Cd and Zn enrichments must be >5.5 and >1.5, respectively, in order for the sediments to be considered toxic. In general, data showed that most of the metal concentrations in Todos Santos Bay sediments could not cause adverse effects to biota. Only Ensenada's harbor and the zone next to a dredging dumping site showed metal enrichments that could be toxic.     

Sediments and pollution in the Northern Adriatic Sea: a statistical analysis

Data concerning grain-size distribution, mineralogy, geochemistry, and chlorinated hydrocarbon concentrations, obtained from 246 surface sediment samples collected in the Northern Adriatic sea (Italian area), provide the basis for a multivariate statistical analysis which evaluates the influence of riverine inputs, the differences among various depositional environments and the presence of polluted zones.Cluster analysis applied to grain size has identified nine groups of lithotypes associated with the morphology and the hydrology of the basin.In the Gulf of Venice, principal component analysis on clay minerals and carbonates has permitted recognition of two main areas located north and south of the Brenta river. More subareas correspond to other lithological types.Principal component analysis of nine metal (Hg, Cd, Cu, Pb, Cr, Zn, Fe, Ni, and Co) concentrations reveals that the studied sea area is more complex from the geochemical point of view. Three geochemical zones related to riverine inputs, different lithotypes and specific forms of contamination are identified. High pollution of both halocarbons and heavy metals is associated with fine grain size.     

太湖流域滆湖底泥重金属赋存特征及其生物有效性

为了探讨太湖流域滆湖底泥重金属(Cd、Cr、Cu、Zn、Ni和Pb)的赋存特征及其生物有效性,对底泥重金属总量、形态以及生物富集量进行了分析.结果表明,6种重金属含量的空间分布表现为北部湖区最高,其次为南部湖区,中部湖区最低,重金属Ni、Cu、Zn和Pb含量显著高于沉积物背景值,分别是背景值的4.77、3.89、2.96和2.76倍,重金属总量与沉积物中的黏土成分含量具有显著相关性.采用三级四部提取法对重金属形态进行分析表明,6种重金属的生物有效态(弱酸结合态、可还原态和可氧化态之和)含量顺序为CdCuZnPbNiCr,其中Cd、Cu、Zn和Pb的生物有效态含量分别占总量的84.15%、78.47%、76.50%和64.29%.Cu和Zn在铜锈环棱螺中富集含量要显著高于其他金属元素.相关性分析表明,6种重金属中仅Cr和Pb的生物富集量与有效态含量具有显著相关性,这表明,重金属在生物体内的富集不仅与有效态含量有关,还与底泥重金属总量有关.因此,评价滆湖重金属的生态风险时需要综合考虑重金属的总量及生物有效态含量.     

Heavy metal contamination in western Xiamen Bay sediments and its vicinity, China

Concentrations of selected heavy metals (Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Cr, Ni and Fe) in surface sediments from nine sites in western Xiamen Bay and its vicinity were studied in order to understand current metal contamination due to urbanization and economic development in Xiamen, China. The sediment samples were collected in December 2004 and July 2005 respectively in order to examine temporal variations. In this study, we found that heavy metal concentrations in surface sediments sampled in the western Xiamen Bay and adjacent Maluan Bay and Yuandang Lagoon varied from 19 to 97mg kg(-1) for Cu, 45 to 60mg kg(-1) for Pb, 65 to 223mg kg(-1) for Zn, 0.11 to 1.01mg kg(-1) for Cd, 37 to 134mg kg(-1) for Cr, 25 to 65mg kg(-1) for Ni and 3.08 to 4.81% for Fe. Although all metal concentrations in sediments meets Chinese National Standard Criteria for Marine Sediment Quality, both metal enrichment factors (EF) and geoaccumulation index (I(geo)) show that Pb contamination exists in the entire study area and contamination of other metals are also present in some locations depending on the sources, of which sewage outlets and commercial ports are the main sources of contaminants to the area. This study shows that using the sediment quality standard criteria only to assess sediments cannot properly reflect sediment contamination. A multiple approaches should be applied for the sediment quality assessment.     

Trace metal distributions in Saint John Harbour sediments

The concentration and areal distribution of selected trace metals (Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, Mo, Ni, Mn and Hg) in surficial sediments of Saint John Harbour, New Brunswick, Canada, were studied to determine the extent of anthropogenic input and to estimate the effects of dumping dredged material in the outer harbour. Hg and Cd are of especial concern, since the disposal of dredge material containing these two elements is regulated under the Ocean Dumping Control Act.The concentrations of all metals are low: Cu 16, Zn 53, Pb 24, Cd 0.16, Mo 3, Ni 16, Mn 296 and Hg 0.04 μg g^?1. Hg and Cd levels in sediments are well below the permissible limits of 0.75 and 0.6 μg g^?1, respectively, set by the Ocean Dumping Control Act.The mean concentrations of trace elements are similar to the low mean values in the unpolluted Bay of Fundy. There is an overall decline in concentrations of metals in the sediments from the inner to the outer harbour. Comparison of the metal levels in the sediments from different areas within the harbour indicate that there is a detectable anthropogenic input in the Courtenay Bay area. Trace metal levels at the dumpsite are significantly lower than in the Courtenay Bay area, where the bulk of the dredged material originates.     

洞庭湖沉积物中重金属污染特征与评价

于2003-2004年在洞庭湖湖区采集沉积物样品700个,测定了沉积物中As、Cd、Cr、Cu、Hg、Ni、Pb、Zn的含量,并用地积累指数方法和主成分分析法对沉积物中的重金属污染状况进行了评价和分析.结果显示,洞庭湖各子湖区沉积物中Cd、Cr、Cu、Pb、zn的平均含量都属于国家土壤二级标准,AB、Hg、Ni属于国家土壤一级至二级土壤标准;在南洞庭湖与东洞庭湖人湖河流的三角洲的前缘是沉积物重金属积累最高的地点,而在西洞庭湖入湖河流三角洲的后缘沉积物重金属含量比前缘高.采用综合地积累指数法对洞庭湖各子湖区沉积物进行评价,结果表明:南洞庭湖(重污染)>东洞庭湖(偏重污染)>西洞庭湖(中度污染)>大通湖(中度污染)>城陵矶(轻度污染).采用主成分分析法对洞庭湖各子湖区沉积物进行分析,结果表明:南洞庭湖与东洞庭溯第一主成分贡献率分别为55.22%、56.86%,主要支配AS、Cd、Hg、Pb、zn的载荷,而第二主成分贡献率分别为30.04%、33.11%主要支配Cu、Cr、Ni的载荷:西洞庭湖、大通湖和城陵矶因沉积物重金属来源不同,主成分分析结果相差较大.     

A grain-size correction for metal pollution indexes in river sediments

According to the List of Hazardous Substances of the Agency of the Toxic Substances and Disease Registry(ATSDR 2017),some metallic elements such as Pb or Cd are still considered as the most polluting elements in the world.These elements accumulate in sediments,and there are various methods available that differentiate lithogenic sources from anthropogenic sources.For that,the natural geochemical background is required,however,its definition is far from unanimous:it can be a global or local value,single or statistically estimated value,depending on the studies.Our study is focused on the Suba
e River in the state of Bahia,Northeastern Brazil,which was historically contaminated by lead metallurgy.The river sediments were sampled at 21 locations:one at the discharge point of the plant's rainwater basin,ten upstream,and ten downstream.The total contents of Fe,Ti,Mn,Pb,Zn,Cu,Cr,particle-size distribution,and organic matter were analyzed.The conventional geochemical indexes,i.e.,the pollution degree(mCd),pollution load index,and enrichment factor indicated contamination by Zn,Pb,Cr,and Cu.Then,a new enrichment factor is introduced,assuming that the sediments come from erosion of soils in the watershed.After obtaining the natural concentrations of metals in the clay,silt,and sand fractions of uncontaminated reference soils,we corrected the pollution indexes by calculating a new individual background in each sediment sample,according to its grain size distribution.This new approach provided more precise indexes in the assessment of sediment pollution,by highlighting higher contamination of Zn and Pb(around 50%)and at the same time the absence of Cr and Cu contamination,two metals not involved with the metallurgical activity.