Spatial distribution of stream sediment pollution by toxic trace elements at Tourtit and Ichoumellal abandoned mining areas (central Morocco)

This study presents a diagnostic of the current state of 114 stream sediment samples by their elemental concentrations (Sb, Cd, Pb, As, Cu, Zn, Ni, Cr, and Hg), collected from Ighardayane upstream on an area of 15 km² located at the SE part of central Morocco where Tourtit and Ichoumellal, two abandoned mining sites of Stibnite, are located. Several approaches were used to model the analysis (i) enrichment factor (EF), (ii) sediment pollution index (IPS), (iii) probable effect concentration-quotients (PEC-Qs), and (iv) potential ecological risk index (PERI). Results show highly contaminated areas around the old mining sites by Sb As, Pb, and Cd. Cadmium and lead show 86.9 and 12.29% (respectively) of trace element pollution according to sediment pollution index. Twenty-eight percent of the sampled area is potentially highly toxic because of the presence of Hg, Pb, and Cd. The very similar distribution of pollution and toxicity of most analyzed trace elements may originate from the same source, which corresponds to mining wastes where we recorded the highest pollution and toxicity degrees. This environmental issue represents the combination of Tourtit and Ichoumellal anthropic sources responsible of Sb, As, Pb, and Cd release and a probable natural source of Hg “that needs a further study,” which contribute in the degradation of an aquatic ecosystem of the same area. Therefore, both ecotoxicological analysis and stream sediment quality management should be carried out to control this aquatic ecosystem toxication.     

Temporal and spatial patterns of trace elements in the Patuxent River: A whole watershed approach

Trace element distributions, partitioning, and speciation were examined at 15 sites in the Patuxent River watershed from May 1995 through October 1997 to determine possible sources of trace elements to the river and estuary, to examine the relationship of the trace element discharges to freshwater discharges as well as to land use and geographic region, to validate previous estimates of loadings to the river, and to provide baseline data for trace elements in the Patuxent River watershed and estuary. Six freshwater sites were examined, representing different basins and geographic provinces, and nine sites along the estuarine salinity gradient. Subregions within the watershed varied considerably in concentrations and areal yields for some elements. Concentrations of As, Cd, Ni, Pb, and Zn were elevated in the Coastal Plain sites compared to the Piedmont sites, while Cu and Hg were more evenly distributed. Cadmium, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn showed overall positive correlations with river flow while As and methylHg (meHg) showed negative correlations with river flow. Concentrations of trace elements in the estuarine portion of the river were generally low, and consistent with mixing between Patuxent River water with elevated concentrations and the lower concentrations of the Chesapeake Bay. Interesting features included a local Cd maximum in the low salinity region of the estuary, probably caused by desorption from suspended sediments, and a significant input of water containing high As concentrations from the Chesapeake Bay and from As being released from bottom sediments in summer. Comparisons between the estimated annual flux of trace elements and the estimates of suspected source terms (atmospheric deposition, urban runoff, and known point sources) suggest that, except for Hg, direct atmospheric deposition is small compared to fluvial loads. Current estimates of trace element inputs from point sources or from urban runoff are inadequate for comparison with other sources, because of inappropriate techniques and/or unacceptably high detection limits. A complete examination of trace element dynamics in the Patuxent River (and in other coastal systems) will require better data for these potential sources.     

Heavy metal partitioning in river sediments severely polluted by acid mine drainage in the Iberian Pyrite Belt

This study provides a geochemical partitioning pattern of Fe, Mn and potentially toxic trace elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn) in sediments historically contaminated with acid mine drainage, as determined by using a 4-step sequential extraction scheme. At the upperstream, the sediments occur as ochreous precipitates consisting of amorphous or poorly crystalline oxy-hydroxides of Fe, and locally jarosite, whereas the estuarine sediments are composed mainly of detrital quartz, illite, kaolinite, feldspars, carbonates and heavy minerals, with minor authigenic phases (gypsum, vivianite, halite, pyrite). The sediments are severely contaminated with As, Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn, especially in the vicinity of the mining pollution sources and some sites of the estuary, where the metal concentrations are several orders of magnitude above background levels. Although a significant proportion of Zn, Cd and Cu is present in a readily soluble form, the majority of heavy metals are bonded to reducible phases, suggesting that Fe oxy-hydroxides have a dominant role in the metal accumulation. In the estuary, the sediments are potentially less reactive than in the riverine environment, because relevant concentrations of heavy metals are immobilised in the crystalline structure of minerals.     

渤海西部表层沉积物中重金属的环境地球化学特征

为探讨渤海西部在多重环境因素变化下沉积物中重金属的环境地球化学行为,分析了渤海西部44个站位表层沉积物样品中8种重金属元素含量,研究了重金属元素的分布特征、环境影响因素及其生态风险。结果表明,渤海西部表层沉积物中As、Cu、Cd、Cr、Hg、Ni、Pb、Zn的平均含量分别为117 mg/kg、255 mg/kg、014 mg/kg、689 mg/kg、0037 mg/kg、303 mg/kg、223 mg/kg、757 mg/kg;Cu、Cr、Ni、Zn含量与有机碳含量、小于63 μm细粒沉积物呈显著正相关,其在表层沉积物中的分布明显受到有机质含量和沉积物粒径的控制,而As、Hg分布没有明显受到有机质含量的影响。富集系数显示,Cr、Ni、Pb和Zn为无富集,Cu、As为轻度富集,Cd和Hg为中度富集。与多种背景值和一致性沉积物质量基准相比较,渤海西部表层沉积物Pb、Cd的含量超出背景值,而Cu、Zn、Ni、Cr、As、Hg含量也存在一定的异常,但其含量水平引发有害生物效应的可能性不大,尽管重金属元素含量偏高,但生态风险较小。     

Geochemistry of Cu, Co, Ni, Zn, Cd and Cr in the surficial sediments of a tropical estuary, southwest coast of India: a granulometric approach

 Geochemical characteristics of six trace metals – Cu, Co, Ni, Zn, Cd and Cr – in the bulk sediment and sand, silt and clay fractions of a tropical estuary on the southwest coast of India have been studied and discussed. In bulk sediment, the trace metal concentration is controlled mainly by the textural composition of the sample. Mud, sandy mud and sandy silt register higher concentrations of trace metals than that in sand-dominant sediments. The granulometric partitioning studies also re-affirmed the role of particle size in enriching the trace metals. The silt and clay fractions exhibit 7–8 times the enrichment of Cu and Cd compared to that in sand. The enrichment factors of Zn, Cr, Ni and Co in the silt and clay fractions, compared to that in sand, are 5–6, 4–5, 2–5 and 2–3 times, respectively. The trace metals in the sand fraction, particularly Ni and Cr, exhibit strong positive correlation with the heavy mineral content of the samples. It clearly indicates a heavy mineral pathway to the trace metals in the sand fraction. Cu and Co in silt and clay fractions exhibit a marked decrease towards the high saline zones of the estuary. This is attributed to the desorption of Cu and Co from particulate phases during estuarine mixing. Contrary to Cu and Co, the content of Zn in the clay fraction shows a marginal increase towards the estuarine mouth. This could be explained by the influx of Zn-rich contaminant discharges from Zn-smelting industries located slightly north of the estuarine mouth. The released Zn will effectively be held in the lattices of the clay mineral montmorillonite, which also exhibits a marked increase towards the estuarine mouth. The anomalously high values of Cd in some places of the Central Vembanad estuary is attributed to the local pollution. Received: 10 July 1995 · Accepted: 3 June 1996     

长江口海域表层沉积物重金属元素赋存形态特征

通过长江河口地区水下表层沉积物样品多种化学元素的赋存形态分析测试数据,综合分析重金属元素的赋存形态特征。研究结果显示：镉、汞、铅残渣态所占比例均小于50%,锌、砷、铬、铜、镍残渣态占比均大于50%;8个元素的残渣态与全量呈显著正相关关系。沉积环境和沉积物粒径对重金属元素赋存形态具有重要影响。沉积物的物质来源、矿物组成特征、水动力作用与沉积物粒度和物理化学条件等是长江口地区表层沉积物重金属元素赋存形态的主要控制因素。     

Comparative geochemistry of shell phosphorites and dictyonema shales of the Baltic

Major and trace element composition of the Ordovician Obolus phosphorites and associated Dictyonema shales were determined by ICP-MS and chemical and microchemical elemental analyses. Relative to the phosphorites, the Dictyonema shales are substantially enriched in a variety of trace elements, except for As, Be, Co, Y, REE, Sr, and Pb. The Obolus phosphorites show enrichment of As, Bi, Hg, Mo, La, Y, Pb, and Sr and depletion of Ag, Ba, Be, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hf, Ni, Sc, Sn, U, V, Zn, and Zr relative to the world average phosphorite composition. The average trace element composition of the Dictyonema shales is close to the mean shale composition, except for higher contents of Mo, Hg, Pb, Se, Ta, Te, Th, V, and U and lower contents of Ba, Bi, Cd, Co, Re, Sr, and Zn. The results suggest that the change from phosphate sedimentation in aerated environments to anoxic carbonaceous sedimentation was accompanied by changes in the composition and concentration of trace elements in the sediment. Both facies show similar trends of trace element distribution indicative of the stability of the composition of seawater and terrigenous sediment input.     

Tidal river sediments in the Washington,D.C. area. I. Distribution and sources of trace metals

Thirty-three bottom sediments were collected from the Potomac and Anacostia rivers, Tidal Basin, and Washington Ship Channel in June 1991 to define the extent of trace metal contamination and to elucidate source areas of sediment contaminants. In addition, twenty-three sediment samples were collected directly in front of and within major storm and combined sewers that discharge directly to these areas. Trace metals (e.g., Cu, Cr, Cd, Hg, Pb, and Zn) exhibited a wide range in values throughout the study area. Sediment concentrations of Pb ranged from 32.0 μg Pb g^?1 to 3,630 μg Pb g^?1, Cd from 0.24 μg Cd g^?1 to 4.1 μg Cd g^?1, and Hg from 0.13 μg Hg g^?1 to 9.2 μg Hg g^?1, with generally higher concentrations in either outfall or sewer sediments compared to river bottom-sediments. In the Anacostia River, concentration differences among sewer, outfall, and river sediments, along with downriver spatial trends in trace metals suggest that numerous storm and combined swers are major sources of trace metals. Similar results were observed in both the Tidal Basin and Washington Ship Channel. Cadminum and Pb concentrations are higher in specific sewers and outfalls, whereas the distribution of other metals suggests a more diffuse source to the rivers and basins of the area. Cadmium and Pb also exhibited the greatest enrichment throughout the study area, with peak values located in the Anacostia River, near the Washington Navy Yard. Enrichment factors decrease in the order: Cd>Pb>Zn>Hg>Cu>Cr. Between 70% and 96% of sediment-bound Pb and Cd was released from a N₂-purged IN HCl leach. On average, ≤40% of total sedimentary Cu was liberated, possibly due to the partial attack of organic components of the sediment. Sediments of the tidal freshwater portion of the Potomac estuary reflect a moderate to highly components area with substantial enrichments of sedimentary Pb, Cd, and Zn. The sediment phase that contains these metals indicates the potential mobility of the sediment-bound metals if they are reworked during either storm events or dredging.     

福建浅海沉积物重金属生态风险评价初探

采用生态危害指数法等对福建浅海沉积物样品中7种重金属（Hg、Pb、Cr、Zn、Cu、Cd、As）测试结果进行分析与评价,结果表明与海洋积物一类标准对比,福建各主要海湾浅海沉积物重金属超标以Cr、Cu为主,以Pb、zn为次,地质累积指数超标的Cr、Cu、Pb、Zn潜在生态风险不大;九龙江口以Cd潜在生态风险最高,潜在生态危害最大。研究表明,采用地质累积指数评价和生态风险评价法二者结合应用能较为合理地对重金属污染状况进行系统评价。     

高邮湖底泥及出入湖河口表层沉积物重金属元素分布与潜在生态风险评价

为查清高邮湖底泥及出入湖河口表层沉积物重金属分布特征,评价其潜在生态风险,以湖区及周边25个底泥和沉积物样品为载体,重点研究8种重金属元素,选用单因子污染指数法、内梅罗综合指数法、地累积指数法和潜在生态风险指数法,相似比对重金属污染等级及评价潜在生态风险。测试数据表明,8种重金属元素中,仅Hg含量（平均值）未超过里下河浅洼平原表层土壤重金属元素背景值,As含量（最大值）超过农用地土壤污染风险筛选值。Pearson相关系数矩阵表明,重金属元素Ni与Cr、Pb、Zn、Cu之间具显著同源性;单因子污染指数法与内梅罗综合指数法评价结果显示,污染指数均值排序均为As＞Cd＞Pb＞Cu＞Zn＞Ni＞Cr＞Hg,但对As、Cd评价前者为轻度污染,后者为中度污染;地累积指数Igeo显示,仅As为轻度污染,其余元素均为无污染状态。沉积物单项潜在生态风险指数排序为Cd＞Hg＞As＞Pb＞Cu＞Ni＞Cr＞Zn,仅Cd属中风险,其余元素为低风险;研究区综合潜在生态风险指数RI均值为115.7,表明全区总体生态风险属于低风险状态,重金属有沿入湖河口向湖心区富集趋势。     

Spatial and temporal variability of trace element concentrations in an urban subtropical watershed,Honolulu, Hawaii

Trace metal concentrations in soils and in stream and estuarine sediments from a subtropical urban watershed in Hawaii are presented. The results are placed in the context of historical studies of environmental quality (water, soils, and sediment) in Hawaii to elucidate sources of trace elements and the processes responsible for their distribution. This work builds on earlier studies on sediments of Ala Wai Canal of urban Honolulu by examining spatial and temporal variations in the trace elements throughout the watershed. Natural processes and anthropogenic activity in urban Honolulu contribute to spatial and temporal variations of trace element concentrations throughout the watershed. Enrichment of trace elements in watershed soils result, in some cases, from contributions attributed to the weathering of volcanic rocks, as well as to a more variable anthropogenic input that reflects changes in land use in Honolulu. Varying concentrations of As, Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn in sediments reflect about 60 a of anthropogenic activity in Honolulu. Land use has a strong impact on the spatial distribution and abundance of selected trace elements in soils and stream sediments. As noted in continental US settings, the phasing out of Pb-alkyl fuel additives has decreased Pb inputs to recently deposited estuarine sediments. Yet, a substantial historical anthropogenic Pb inventory remains in soils of the watershed and erosion of surface soils continues to contribute to its enrichment in estuarine sediments. Concentrations of other elements (e.g., Cu, Zn, Cd), however, have not decreased with time, suggesting continued active inputs. Concentrations of Ba, Co, Cr, Ni, V and U, although elevated in some cases, typically reflect greater proportions attributed to natural sources rather than anthropogenic input.     

Heavy metal pollution of coastal river sediments, north-eastern New South Wales, Australia: lead isotope and chemical evidence

 Heavy metal and metalloid concentrations within stream-estuary sediments (<180-μm size fraction) in north-eastern New South Wales largely represent natural background values. However, element concentrations (Ag, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Sb, Zn) of Hunter River sediments within the heavily industrialized and urbanized Newcastle region exceed upstream background values by up to one order of magnitude. High element concentrations have been found within sediments of the Newcastle Harbour and Throsby Creek which drains into urbanized and light industry areas. Observed Pb enrichments and low ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb and ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios are likely caused by atmospheric deposition of Pb additives from petrol and subsequent Pb transport by road run-off waters into the local drainage system. Sediments of the Richmond River and lower Manning, Macleay, Clarence, Brunswick and Tweed River generally display no evidence for anthropogenic heavy metal and metalloid contamination (Ag, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Sb, Zn). However, the rivers and their tributaries possess localized sedimentary traps with elevated heavy metal concentrations (Cu, Pb, Zn). Lead isotope data indicate that anthropogenic Pb provides a detectable contribution to investigated sediments. Such contributions are evident at sample sites close to sewage outlets and in the vicinity of the Pacific Highway. In addition, As concentrations of Richmond River sediments gradually increase downstream. This geochemical trend may be the result of As mobilization from numerous cattle-dip sites within the region into the drainage system and subsequent accumulation of As in downstream river and estuary sediments. Received: 5 September 1997 · Accepted: 4 November 1997     

北部湾海域表层沉积物中重金属元素分布特征及潜在生态危害评价

为深入了解北部湾海域沉积物污染现状及生态风险,分析了Cu、Pb、Zn、Cd、As、Hg 6种重金属元素在北部湾海域表层沉积物中的含量及分布特征,并运用潜在生态危害指数法评价了这些重金属元素对研究区生态系统的潜在危害。结果表明: Cu、Pb、Zn、As、Cd元素含量不高,仅部分站位Hg元素含量高于国家Ⅰ类海洋沉积物标准值; 6种重金属元素在雷州半岛、海南岛西北部以及海南岛南部分布趋势相似,高值区均出现在东方市附近。主成分分析结果表明,重金属来源主要有3个途径,分别是工业及生活排污、农业(农药、化肥等)残留和有机物降解,前3个主成分贡献率分别为47.13%、18.44%和18.35%。单项重金属元素潜在生态风险等级评价结果显示,研究区重金属元素潜在生态风险强弱次序为Hg＞Cd＞As＞Pb＞Cu＞Zn,As、Pb、Cu、Zn和Cd重金属元素潜在生态风险等级为轻微,而Hg潜在生态风险等级达到了强级。多项重金属元素潜在生态危害评价综合分析结果显示,北部湾海域生态风险等级为中等,部分区域生态风险等级达到了强级,特别是昌化江入海口附近地质环境较差,相关部门应予以足够重视。     

Distribution patterns and potential ecological risk evaluation of heavy metals in the surface sediments of Beibu Gulf

The contents and distribution patterns of the heavy metals including Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, As and Hg in the surface sediments of Beibu Gulf have been analyzed to understand the current pollution situation and the eclogical risk in Beibu Gulf. Hakanson's Potential Ecological Risk factors and indices were used to assess the potential ecological risk of heavy metals to marine ecosystem in Beibu gulf. The results showed that the contents of Cu,Pb,Zn,As and Cd were low, but in some sites Hg was higher than National Marine Sediments of I Quality Standard. The distribution trend of all the six heavy metals was similar in Leizhou Peninsula, Northwest and South Hainan Island, and the high value zone appeared in the vicinity of Dongfang City. The results of principal component analysis showed that the three major sources of heavy metals contamination were industrial wastewater, agricultural wastewater and degradation of organic matter, with the first three principal components contribution rates of 47.13%, 18.44% and 18.35%. The potential ecological risk of heavy metals for the single element shows that the potential ecological risk order of these heavy metals is Hg＞Cd＞As＞Pb＞Cu＞Zn.And the potential ecological risk of As, Pb, Cu, Zn and Pb is minor, and the potential ecological risk of Hg is great. The comprehensive analysis of potential ecological risk of heavy metals show that Beibu gulf is of intermediate level, while some areas have reached strong level. The estuary of Changhua River has the lowest sediment environmental quality, and more attention must be paid to these areas.     

Trends in the solid phase partitioning of metals in the Thames Estuary sediments during recent decades

A sequential extraction method was employed to extract the metals Al, Ag, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Pb, Fe, Li, Mn, Ni, and Zn from a 10-m sediment core taken from the Tilbury Basin on the Thames Estuary. Characteristics of the observed metal partitioning distributions were attributed primarily to the composition of the estuarine waters at the time of deposition. For some metals, a decrease in the bulk sediment metal concentrations from a depth of ?6.59 m ODN to the surface was also observed in one of the solid phases. This was the case for Cr, Cu, and Pb extracted from the organic phase and for Zn extracted from the carbonate phase. This decrease in sediment concentrations is thought to reflect reported improvements to water quality in this region of the Thames Estuary in the early 1960s, following updating of major sewage treatment works (STW) approximately 20 km upstream. These findings give an indication of the influence of estuarine inputs from STW on metal partitioning distributions. The order of mobility for the metals of environmental concern was Cd>Ag>Cr>Ni, Zn>Co, Cu, Pb. for Cd and Ag there was a tendency to partition towards the exchangeable phase, both at the surface and at depth, which indicates the potential for long-term leaching of these metals from the sediments.     

Distribution of trace elements in waters and sediments of the Seversky Donets transboundary watershed (Kharkiv region,Eastern Ukraine)

This paper reports on the aquatic chemistry of trace elements in terms of spatial and temporal distribution, but also pollution sources in the transboundary watershed of the Seversky Donets River (Ukraine/Russia). Bed sediments and filtered water were collected from the Udy and Lopan Rivers at sites from the river source in the Belgorod region (Russia) to rural and urban areas in the Kharkiv region (Ukraine) in May and August 2009. Priority trace elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn), an urban tracer (Ag) and additional metals (Co, Mo, V) and Th were measured in stream water and sediments. The low levels and variability of Th-normalized concentrations indicated the absence of geochemical anomalies in the upstream part of the rivers and suggested that these data represent a regional baseline for trace elements in bed sediments. In contrast, water and sediments within the city of Kharkiv were contaminated by Ag, Pb, Cd, Cu, Cr and Zn, which are mainly attributed to municipal wastewater inputs and urban run-off. Results of the environmental quality assessment showed that element concentrations in the sediments can be considered as potentially toxic to aquatic organisms in sites downstream of the wastewater discharges.     

Distribution and assessment of sediment toxicity in Tamaki Estuary,Auckland, New Zealand

Heavy metal levels in surface sediments from Tamaki Estuary demonstrate significant up estuary increases in Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd and mud concentrations. Increased metal levels towards the head of the estuary are linked to local catchment sources reflecting the historical development, industrialisation and urbanisation of catchment areas surrounding the upper estuary. The relatively narrow constriction in the middle estuary (Panmure area), makes it susceptible to accumulation of upper estuary pollutants, since the constriction reduces circulation and extends the time required for fine waterborne sediments in the upper estuary to exchange with fresh coastal water. As a result fine fraction sediments trapped in the upper estuary facilitate capture and retention of pollutants at the head of the estuary. The increase in sandy mud poor sediments towards the mouth of the estuary is associated with generally low metal concentrations. The estuary’s geomorphic shape with a mid estuary constriction, sediment texture and mineralogy and catchment history are significant factors in understanding the overall spatial distribution of contaminants in the estuary. Bulk concentration values for Cu, Pb, Zn, and Cd in all the studied surface samples occur below ANZECC ISQG-H toxicity values. Cd and Cu concentrations are also below the ISQG-L toxicity levels for these elements. However, Pb and Zn concentrations do exceed the ISQG-L values in some of the surface bulk samples in the upper estuary proximal to long established sources of catchment pollution.     

承德市土壤重金属空间结构与分布特征

基于地统计学和GIS相结合的方法,对承德全域表层土壤重金属As、Cd、Cr、Cu、Hg、Ni、Pb、Zn、微量元素Se正态分布特征、主导分布趋势及相互作用规律进行了分析,确定了不同元素最适宜的地统计插值模型并厘定出其空间分布规律。结果表明:As、Cd、Cr、Cu、Hg、Ni、Pb、Zn的质量含量平均值分别为8.28,0.200,60.85,24.37,0.034,27.76,26.65,77.10 mg/kg,Cd、Cu、Hg和Pb变异系数分别为385%、143%、350%、118%,分异性强。Zn含量均值受土壤类型影响显著,Cr、Cu、Ni含量均值则受土地利用类型影响显著。经过不同趋势阶数元素插值误差的综合对比,确定As、Cr、Pb、Zn、Ni、Se适宜选择无趋势参数,Hg和Cu适宜选择一阶趋势参数,而Cd适宜选择二阶趋势参数。As的理论模型为指数模型,主要受到结构性因素的影响;Cd、Cr、Cu、Hg、Ni、Pb、Zn、Se的理论模型为线性模型,主要受到随机性因素的影响。通过普通克里格插值图可见区内9种元素具有北低南高的特点,中部地区形成了一条较宽的Pb高值带,与Cd相似。按照含量分布特点,土壤中Cr和Ni、Cu和Hg、Zn和Pb、Se和Cd之间的高值空间展布区具有相似性且来源相同,仅As具有个性,分析结果与传统统计学结果数据保持部分一致性。     

Distribution of selected trace elements in sediments of Pamlico river estuary,north Carolina

Sixty-eight samples of sediment collected on a variably-spaced grid pattern from Pamlico River Estuary of North Carolina were analyzed for As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, F, Ni, Pb, U, Zn, clay, and organic matter. The major objectives of the study were to determine background and anomalous levels of trace elements in the sediments, and the effects of human activities on concentration and distribution of trace elements in the sediments. Clay and organic matter are more concentrated near the center of the estuary. This causes the highest concentration of trace elements in the sediments to be located there also owing to their preferential uptake of these elements. Highest trace element concentrations were observed in clay and organic matter near industrial sites, housing developments, and tributary mouths that drain areas of human activity. The apparent increase in trace element contents of fine sediments in Pamlico River Estuary owing to human activities is 4 to 1,750 times normal background levels.     

Multivariate statistical techniques for evaluating and identifying the environmental significance of heavy metal contamination in sediments of the Yangtze River, China

The concentrations of heavy metals (Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, As, Hg, and Fe) in sediments of the Yangtze River, China, were investigated to evaluate levels of contamination and their potential sources. The lowest heavy metal concentrations were found in the source regions of the river basin. Relatively high concentrations of metals, except Cr, were found in the Sichuan Basin, and the highest concentrations were in the Xiangjiang and Shun’anhe rivers. All concentrations, except Ni, were higher than global averages. Principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis showed that Zn, Pb, As, Hg, and Cd were derived mainly from the exploitation of various multi-metal minerals, industrial wastewater, and domestic sewage. Cu, Co, and Fe were derived mainly from natural weathering (erosion). Cr and Ni were derived mainly from agricultural activities, municipal and industrial wastewater. Sediment pollution was assessed using the geoaccumulation index (I _geo) and enrichment factor (EF). Among the ten heavy metals assessed, Cd and Pb had the highest I _geo values, followed by Cu, As, Zn, and Hg. The I _geo values of Fe, Cr, Co, and Ni were <0 in all sediments. EF provided similar information to I _geo: no enrichment was found for Cr, Co, and Ni. Cu, Zn, As, and Hg were relatively enriched at some sites while Cd and Pb showed significant enrichment.