湘江下游河床沉积物元素地球化学背景值估算

本研究对湘江下游河床沉积物进行了元素地球化学分析,在认识沉积物元素地球化学特征、甄别人为源与自然源重金属的基础上,估算了沉积物的元素地球化学背景值。结果表明：SiO2、TiO2、Al2O3、Fe2O3、K2O等主量元素及V、Co、Cr、Ba、Sc、U、Sr、Ga、Ge、Rb、Nb、Y、REE等微量元素在沉积物中含量变化相对稳定（Cv< 0. 2）,分布相对均匀,且富集不明显（EF< 2. 0,Sr明显亏损）。而MnO、MgO、CaO、Na2O、P2O5等主量元素,及Cd、Mn、Cu、Pb、Zn等重金属在沉积物中含量变化大（Cv> 0. 25）,分布极不均匀,且沉积物中重金属明显富集（EF> 2. 0）。主成分及Pearson线性相关性分析显示,沉积物中不明显富集的微量元素主要赋存于难溶硅酸盐矿物相中,为自然源元素。而沉积物中显著富集的重金属主要赋存于铁—锰氧化物等矿物相中,为有人为源叠加的元素。故针对不同来源特征的元素用不同的方法进行了背景值计算,求得沉积物中47个元素的背景值。再利用元素比值等方法对所得背景值进行检验。结果表明,本文得到的湘江沉积物元素背景值合理,可用作流域沉积物重金属污染评价参考。     

湘江湘潭段河岸沉积物重金属污染地球化学分析

本研究用X射线荧光(XRF)和电感耦合等离子质谱仪(ICP-MS)等对湘江湘潭段河岸沉积物进行了主元素、微量元素地球化学分析。结果表明,河岸沉积物具明显贫Na_2O、CaO、Mg O等碱质,而富Fe_2O_3、MnO等氧化物的化学组成特征。沉积物明显富集Cu、Pb、Zn、Mn、V、Cr、U、Th等多种重金属和Zr、Hf、Ta等高强场元素,而亲石元素Cs、Ga、Ge、Rb、Sr等及稀土元素(REE+Y)在沉积物中富集不明显。地累积系数(Igeo)法评价显示,河岸沉积物存在Cu、Zn、Pb等元素组成的潜在重金属污染。主元素与重金属元素相关性分析显示,Ba、Rb、Th、U、Sc、Cr、Ta、Nb、Zr、Hf、Ga、Ge、Y等主要赋存于石英等碎屑矿物中,这些微量金属元素可能主要为自然来源,在沉积物中化学性质相对稳定;而Mn、V、Co、Cr、Cu、Pb、Zn等重金属元素则主要赋存于铁、锰氧化物矿物相中,这些重金属元素可能以人为源为主,在沉积物中有一定的化学活性,可发生活化迁移。沉积物的Fe_2O_3、LOI、∑REE等的含量值及Eu/Eu*值可作为指示沉积物重金属污染的地球化学指标,对沉积物重金属污染有一定的指示作用。     

湘江竹埠港段河床沉积物元素地球化学特征

湘江是我国重金属污染最严重的河流之一。本次工作利用X射线荧光(XRF)和电感耦合等离子质谱(ICP-MS)分析技术,对湘江竹埠港沉积物进行主量和微量元素分析。结果表明沉积物主量元素含量变化相对稳定,富集MnO、P2O5、Fe2O3、Al2O3,亏损CaO、Na2O。微量元素含量变化较大,亏损Ba、Sc、Mn、Sr而富集其他微量元素。对主量元素和稀土元素进行了分析,表明沉积物物源主要是由上游花岗岩风化所提供。对沉积物进行因子分析和相关性分析,表明沉积物源主要以陆源碎屑为主,并有磷灰石和软锰矿等自生副矿物,Ni、Pb、Cu可能来自人为污染源。地累积指数表明Ba为清洁无污染,重金属V、Cr、Co、Ni、Th、U为轻度污染,重金属Cu、Pb、Zn为偏中度污染,Mn为中度污染,Sc为偏重度污染。其中重金属Cr、Ni、Cu、Pb、Zn、Mn、Sc污染应引起关注。     

湘江入湖河段沉积物主元素组成对重金属污染的指示

本次工作利用X射线荧光(XRF)和电感耦合等离子质谱(ICP-MS)分析技术,对湘江人湖河段沉积物进行主元素和重金属元素分析.结果表明,湘江入湖沉积物中主元素含量变化相对稳定,沉积物具有明显亏CaO、Na2O,而富MnO、A12O3的化学组成特征.其化学组成和风化蚀变特征(蚀变指数CIA值大于78)指示流域上游花岗岩为沉积物提供了主要的物源.主元素揭示的沉积物矿物组成主要包括A12O3表征的细粒黏土矿物类和SiO2、Na2O表征的粗粒碎屑矿物类两部分.沉积物中重金属元素含量变化大,重金属综合富集指数EI值自湾河WH (EI=4.7、14.2)向湘阴XY (6.6、5.6)再向屈原农场QN沉积柱(18.4)趋于增大,重金属污染程度自上游向下游趋于增强.重金属污染程度主要与以A12O3为代表的Ⅰ类元素呈正相关关系.预示重金属污染主要与黏土矿物、铁锰氧化物、有机质、及磷灰石等副矿物相关.其中Bi、Pb、Mn、T1等重金属污染更趋于在黏土矿物、锰氧化物、有机质等矿物相中增强,Cd污染可能主要与铁锰氧化物、有机质等有关,U污染则主要与铁氧化物矿物有关,而Cu、Sb污染主要与有机质关系密切.不同的矿物相可能引起不同种类的重金属污染.     

梁子湖表层沉积物元素分布模式及地球化学意义

表层沉积物中元素分布模式及其地球化学特征能提供沉积物物源及易受人为活动影响的重金属元素等信息。运用X-射线荧光光谱仪和单道等离子发射光谱仪等对梁子湖表层沉积物中的常量元素和微量元素进行了分析测试。运用多元统计等方法对测试数据分析发现,梁子湖表层沉积物中的常量元素分布受介质物理化学条件影响比较明显;微量元素中除Zr和Nb等元素外,其余元素的质量分数相对较低;重金属元素的质量分数值大多数接近于武汉湖泊的背景值和欧美湖泊的背景值,低于东湖和汤逊湖等受人为活动影响较大的湖泊。在平面分布上,大多数元素都有明显的平面分布规律,K2O、CaO、Na2O、MgO、Al2O3、Fe2O3、Li、Rb、Sr、Ba、Mn、Se、Ni、Sc等都在东北部和东部富集,而Si在西南部富集,Zr和Hg在中部富集。元素分布规律主要受沉积作用和湖东地区矿山地质背景等因素的控制。     

洞庭湖“四水”入湖河床沉积物主量元素地球化学特征及意义

本研究利用X射线荧光分析仪（XRF）对洞庭湖"四水"（湘江、资江、沅江、澧水）入湖河床沉积物进行主量元素地球化学分析,探讨"四水"入湖沉积物主量元素组成特征及其影响因素。结果表明,洞庭湖"四水"入湖沉积物中SiO2、Al2O3、Fe2O3、K2O、P2O5、LOI等元素含量变化相对较小、分布特征相似;而MnO、MgO、CaO、Na2O等则含量变化较大,在各河流沉积物中分布差异明显。其中沅江和澧水入湖沉积物中MgO、CaO、Na2O等的含量明显高于湘江和资江沉积物,而MnO则反之;澧水沉积物TiO2含量明显偏高。且湘江、资江、澧水沉积物中TiO2、Al2O3、Fe2O3、MnO、MgO、CaO、P2O5、LOI等主量元素含量变化有明显的粒度效应,而沅江沉积物则不然。不同河流入湖沉积物主量元素组成差异明显,沉积物主量元素组成的明显差异与流域源岩岩性、化学风化作用、水动力条件等因素有关。其中湘江和资江沉积物主量元素组成主要与由上地壳+花岗岩组成的源岩有关;沅江沉积物元素组成受湖南板岩的影响明显;而澧水沉积物元素组成则是总体与上地壳元素组成相近似的区域源岩有关,并受长江沉积物影响。湘江和资江沉积物显示的风化程度明显高于沅江和澧水沉积物。但化学风化作用是通过不同抗风化能力岩石的空间分布而影响沉积物的元素组成。此外,湘江、资江、澧水沉积物元素组成受水动力条件影响,而沅江沉积物则不然。但水动力分选对沉积物元素组成的影响也受源岩岩性的控制。因此,流域源岩岩性是控制"四水"入湖沉积物主量元素组成的主要影响因素。     

扬子地台西缘震旦系一下寒武统黑色页岩中磷块岩环境地球化学分析

本文分析了扬子地台西缘黑色页岩中磷块岩的主、微量元素地球化学特征,以及磷块岩中重金属的分布和赋存特征,探讨了富镉磷块岩的元素组成及其环境效应.结果 表明,扬子地台西缘磷块岩富含P2O5、CaO等化学成因组分,而亏损SiO2 TiO2、Al2O3、Fe2O3、K2O、Na2O等碎屑组分.根据重金属富集特征,这些磷块岩可分为高富镉磷块岩和低富镉磷块岩,湘西和黔东北磷块岩属于高富镉磷块岩.高富镉磷块岩明显富集Cd、Mo、U、Ni、V、Co、Pb等重金属,为环境重金属污染源.磷块岩中Cd等重金属赋存于黄铁矿等硫化物矿物中,故在磷肥加工过程中去除黄铁矿等硫化物矿物,是预防磷肥施用导致的重金属污染的重要措施.     

湘江下游河床沉积物重金属污染的矿物学分析北大核心CSCD

本次工作利用X射线衍射仪、扫描电镜-能谱仪等技术手段,分析湘江下游河床沉积物的矿物组成,并结合元素地球化学分析结果探讨沉积物中重金属的赋存特征。结果表明,湘江下游沉积物矿物组成复杂。轻矿物以碎屑矿物(石英、钾长石、钠长石)、黏土矿物(云母、伊利石、高岭石、绿泥石等)和碳/硫酸盐矿物(方解石、白云石、石膏)为主,含量在95%以上;重矿物以铁矿物(赤铁矿、磁铁矿、针铁矿、钛铁矿)、稳定重矿物(锆石、金红石、磷灰石、石榴子石等)和不稳定重矿物(角闪石、辉石等)为主,含量低于5%。与其他河段沉积物相比,株洲霞湾段沉积物的碎屑矿物含量明显偏低,而黏土矿物、碳/硫酸盐矿物、铁矿物等的含量明显偏高。这与该河段沉积物重金属污染程度明显偏高的特征相对应。矿物含量与重金属的富集系数相关性分析显示,V、Th、Cr等主要赋存在伊利石等黏土矿物中,Cu、Zn、Pb、U、Co、Ni等主要赋存在铁矿物、碳/硫酸盐矿物中。赋存在黏土矿物中的重金属主要与岩石风化等自然因素有关,为自然来源。而赋存在铁矿物、碳/硫酸盐矿物等矿物中的重金属可能既有自然来源,又有人为来源。且赋存在铁氧化物矿物和碳、硫酸盐矿物中的重金属因环境条件变化,可释放转入水体而对环境产生危害,应引起重视。     

扬子地台西缘下寒武统黑色页岩土壤元素地球化学特征北大核心CSCD

本文分析扬子地台西缘黑色页岩土壤(BSS)及其成土新鲜黑色页岩(FB)的主、微量元素的地球化学特征,探讨黑色页岩土壤成土地球化学作用机制。结果表明,黑色页岩土壤明显亏损MgO、CaO、Na2O、P2O5和LOI(有机质),而富集Al2O3和Fe2O3等主量组分;且明显亏损Ba、V、Ni、Cu、Zn和Sr等微量元素,但其他微量元素则不然。与成土母岩相比,黑色页岩土壤的化学组成相对均一。主量组分对黑色页岩与黑色页岩土壤之间化学组成有不同的影响,这种影响与CaO、Na2O和MgO等碱质组分、LOI所代表的有机质等的淋滤释出,及Fe2O3和Al2O3等氧化物的次生富集有关,其影响程度顺序为:CaO>Na2O>LOI>MgO>Al2O3>Fe2O3>MnO>K2O>SiO2>P2O5。推断黑色页岩风化-成土过程中有机质、黄铁矿、方解石、钠长石、斜绿泥石等不稳定矿物的化学蚀变分解和长石等硅酸盐矿物的水解导致CaO、LOI、Na2O、MgO、K2O和SiO2等主量组分,以及V、Cr、Ni、Cu、Zn、Ge、Ba、Sr等微量元素的淋滤释出;而黏土矿物、铁-锰氧化物等次生矿物的次生富集,导致Fe2O3、MnO和Al2O3等主量组分,以及Pb、Cs、Co、Th、Sc、Ga、Rb、REE等微量元素在土壤中形成次生富集。故而黑色页岩可为环境重金属污染源,而黑色页岩土壤本身也可存在重金属污染。     

湘江下游河床沉积物重金属污染的矿物学分析

本次工作利用X射线衍射仪、扫描电镜-能谱仪等技术手段,分析湘江下游河床沉积物的矿物组成,并结合元素地球化学分析结果探讨沉积物中重金属的赋存特征。结果表明,湘江下游沉积物矿物组成复杂。轻矿物以碎屑矿物(石英、钾长石、钠长石)、黏土矿物(云母、伊利石、高岭石、绿泥石等)和碳/硫酸盐矿物(方解石、白云石、石膏)为主,含量在95%以上;重矿物以铁矿物(赤铁矿、磁铁矿、针铁矿、钛铁矿)、稳定重矿物(锆石、金红石、磷灰石、石榴子石等)和不稳定重矿物(角闪石、辉石等)为主,含量低于5%。与其他河段沉积物相比,株洲霞湾段沉积物的碎屑矿物含量明显偏低,而黏土矿物、碳/硫酸盐矿物、铁矿物等的含量明显偏高。这与该河段沉积物重金属污染程度明显偏高的特征相对应。矿物含量与重金属的富集系数相关性分析显示,V、Th、Cr等主要赋存在伊利石等黏土矿物中,Cu、Zn、Pb、U、Co、Ni等主要赋存在铁矿物、碳/硫酸盐矿物中。赋存在黏土矿物中的重金属主要与岩石风化等自然因素有关,为自然来源。而赋存在铁矿物、碳/硫酸盐矿物等矿物中的重金属可能既有自然来源,又有人为来源。且赋存在铁氧化物矿物和碳、硫酸盐矿物中的重金属因环境条件变化,可释放转入水体而对环境产生危害,应引起重视。     

Concentration distribution and assessment of several heavy metals in sediments of west-four Pearl River Estuary

Grain size parameters, trace metals (Co, Cu, Ni, Pb, Cr, Zn, Ba, Zr and Sr) and total organic matter (TOM) of 38 surficial sediments and a sediment core of west-four Pearl River Estuary region were analyzed. The spacial distribution and the transportation procession of the chemical element in surficial sediments were studied mainly. Multivariate statistics are used to analyses the interrelationship of metal elements, TOM and the grain size parameters. The results demonstrated that terrigenous sediment taken by the rivers are main sources of the trace metal elements and TOM, and the lithology of parent material is a dominating factor controlling the trace metal composition in the surficial sediment. In addition, the hydrodynamic condition and landform are the dominating factors controlling the large-scale distribution, while the anthropogenic input in the coastal area alters the regional distribution of heavy metal elements Co, Cu, Ni, Pb, Cr and Zn. The enrichment factor (EF) analysis was used for the differentiation of the metal source between anthropogenic and naturally occurring, and for the assessment of the anthropogenic influence, the deeper layer content of heavy metals were calculated as the background values and Zr was chosen as the reference element for Co, Cu, Ni, Pb, Cr and Zn. The result indicate prevalent enrichment of Co, Cu, Ni, Pb and Cr, and the contamination of Pb is most obvious, further more, the peculiar high EF value sites of Zn and Pb probably suggest point source input.     

Multivariate analysis of heavy metals in surface sediments from lower reaches of the Xiangjiang River, southern China

The concentrations of heavy metals (Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb) in 16 samples collected from the lower reach (Changsha–Xiangtan–Zhuzhou section) of the Xiangjiang River in southern China were determined by high-resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (HR-ICPMS). Multivariate analysis, such as principal component analysis and cluster analysis, coupled with correlation coefficient analysis, was used to analyze the analytical data and to identify possible pollution sources of heavy metals. The results showed that the eight studied heavy metals accumulated in the sediments from the lower Xiangjiang River, especially Mn, Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd, which were 2.0–2.6, 1.7–2.6, 3.5–3.8, 3.2–3.6 and 189.5–152.8 times the soil trace element background for Hunan Province and UCC background values, respectively. Principal component analysis and cluster analysis, coupled with correlation coefficient analysis, revealed that the sediments from lower Xiangjiang River were mainly influenced by two sources: Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb mainly originated from industrial sources, whereas Mn was derived from both industrial and natural sources, but mainly from natural sources due to weathering and erosion.     

珠江水系沉积物重金属元素背景值估算及污染特征分析

估算水系沉积物的地球化学背景值和识别其异常对人为污染判别与环境风险评估非常重要。采集并分析了珠江58件水系沉积物样品,经分析检验,Al、Fe和Sc被选作参考元素,并对比了确定地球化学背景及识别异常值的方法。其中,基于最小截断二乘法的回归分析是定义地球化学背景的有效方法,它是一种对异常值不敏感的稳健统计方法,而基于局部富集因子的箱线图和回归诊断图更适用于识别异常值。珠江不同河段重金属污染存在差异,北江和河网区主要受As、Cd、Cu、Pb和Zn污染,东江主要受Cu、Cr和Ni污染,而西江几乎不存在重金属污染。水系沉积物的主要污染类型是点源污染,主要污染来源是采矿和电镀等相关的工业活动。     

Integrated approach to determine background concentrations of chemical elements in soils

Analysis and calculation techniques of geochemical background concentrations of chemical elements in various systems is of paramount importance for applied geochemistry. Herein we assume the geochemical background as the average of natural variations in the concentrations of chemical elements determined at a territory that highly probable does not host any natural and/or anthropogenic sources of contaminating chemical elements. In the context of determining geochemical background, our research was focused on determining the concentrations of heavy metals in soils in the city of Yerevan with the application of an integrated approach. Comparison of the obtained background values with the mean concentrations of elements in the upper continental crust yields representative data, and the application of various statistical tests (±3σ, ±2σ, and boxplots) is proved to equally efficient.     

Geochemistry of trace metals and Pb isotopes of sediments from the lowermost Xiangjiang River, Hunan Province (P. R. China): implications on sources of trace metals

This paper reports a geochemical study of trace metals and Pb isotopes of sediments from the lowermost Xiangjiang River, Hunan province (P. R. China). Trace metals Ba, Bi, Sc, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mo, Cd, Sn, Sb, Pb, Tl, Th, U, Zr, Hf, Nb and Ta were analyzed using ICP-MS, and Pb isotopes of the bulk sediments were measured by MC-ICP-MS. The results show that trace metals Cd, Bi, Sn, Sc, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Sb, Pb and Tl are enriched in the sediments. Among these metals, Cd, Bi and Sn are extremely highly enriched (EF values >40), metals Zn, Sn, Sb and Pb significantly highly (5 < EF < 20), and metals Sc, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu and Tl moderately highly (2 < EF < 5) enriched in the river sediments. All these metals, however, are moderately enriched in the lake sediments. Geochemical results of trace metals Th, Sc, Co, Cr, Zr, Hf and La, and Pb isotopes suggest that metals in the river sediments are of multi-sources, including both natural and anthropogenic sources. Metals of the natural sources might be contributed mostly from weathering of the Indosinian granites (GR) and Palaeozoic sandstones (PL), and metals of anthropogenic sources were contributed from Pb–Zn ore deposits distributed in upper river areas. Metals in the lake sediments consist of the anthropogenic proportions, which were contributed from automobile exhausts and coal dusts. Thus, heavy-metal contamination for the river sediments is attributed to the exploitation and utilization (e.g., mining, smelting, and refining) of Pb–Zn ore mineral resources in the upper river areas, and this for the lake sediments was caused by automobile exhausts and coal combustion. Metals Bi, Cd, Pb, Sn and Sb have anthropogenic proportion of higher than 90%, with natural contribution less than 10%. Metals Mn and Zn consist of anthropogenic proportion of 60–85%, with natural proportion higher than 15%. Metals Sc, Cr, Co, Cu, Tl, Th, U and Ta have anthropogenic proportion of 30–70%, with natural contribution higher than 30%. Metals Ba, V and Mo might be contributed mostly from natural process.     

Environmental Geochemistry of Mining Activities in Panzhihua Region, Southwestern China

INTRODUCTIONMining activlties have significant envi ronmenta1 inll)ac'l ssuch as visual intrusions, dust, noise, blasting, trafflc and h}'drology (Kwolek, l999; Ripley et al., l996 ). The l)rot'csst'sof mineral extraction, processing, smelting and refinlng;1rt'never approximate to the environmental neutrality, but tht' affected areas can be ameliorated (KwoIek, l999; Klukanov;1;llltlRapant, 1999). The regions, where mining activities are I,r('sent or continuous for a long tlme, are pote…     

Comprehensive evaluation of heavy metal contamination in surface and core sediments of Taihu Lake, the third largest freshwater lake in China

The spatial and temporal variations of Fe, K, Co, V, Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn, and Pb were determined in the sediments of Taihu Lake, the third largest freshwater lake in China and categorized into natural origin (Fe, K, Co, and V) and human contamination (Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn, and Pb) groups by principal component analysis. Most of the metals were positively correlated with the clay content (<4???m) and negatively correlated with the >16???m fraction, indicating the dominant role of grain size in regulating metals concentrations. Geochemical normalization and enrichment factors (EFs) were introduced to reduce the confounding of variable grain size and to quantify anthropogenic contributions. Higher EF values for Cr, Cu, Ni, and Zn occurred in the north Zhushan, Meiliang, and Gonghu Bays, indicating a high level of human contamination from the northern cities, such as Wuxi and Changzhou. Higher EF values of Pb were also present in the southwest and east lake areas, denoting the existence of additional anthropogenic sources. Chrome, Cu, Ni, Zn, and Pb showed increasing EF values in the top layers of sediment cores, indicating enhancing contamination since 1970s with rapid economy development in the catchment. These results indicate that geochemical normalization is a necessary and effective method in quantifying heavy metals contamination, and that historic sediment should be used as background values in calculating EFs. Potential risks of the heavy metals were assessed linking the consensus-based sediment quality guidelines and human contamination. Concentrations of Ni and Cr are greater than the threshold effect concentration (TEC) values, even in the sediments before 1970s, due to higher background concentrations in terrestrial parent materials. Concentrations of Ni and Cr are generally lower than the probable effect concentration (PEC) values, and concentrations of Cu and Zn are below the TEC values in the open lake areas. Whereas, concentrations of Ni and Cr are surpassing the PEC values and Cu and Zn are surpassing the TEC values in the north bays due to the high level of human contamination, where they were with EFs over 1.2, denoting higher potential eco-risks.     

(Pre-) historic changes in natural and anthropogenic heavy metals deposition inferred from two contrasting Swiss Alpine lakes

Continuous high-resolution sedimentary record of heavy metals (chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), and mercury (Hg)), from lakes Lucerne and Meidsee (Switzerland), provides pollutant deposition history from two contrasting Alpine environments over the last millennia. The distribution of conservative elements (thorium (Th), scandium (Sc) and titanium (Ti)) shows that in absence of human disturbances, the trace element input is primarily controlled by weathering processes (i.e., runoff and erosion). Nonetheless, the enrichment factor (EF) of Pb and Hg (that are measured by independent methods), and the Pb isotopic composition of sediments from the remote lake Meidsee (which are proportionally more enriched in anthropogenic heavy metals), likely detect early mining activities during the Bronze Age. Meanwhile, the deposition of trace elements remains close to the range of natural variations until the strong impact of Roman activities on atmospheric metal emissions. Both sites display simultaneous increases in anthropogenic trace metal deposition during the Greek and Roman Empires (ca 300 BC to AD 400), the Late Middle Ages (ca AD 1400), and the Early Modern Europe (after ca AD 1600). However, the greatest increases in anthropogenic metal pollution are evidenced after the industrial revolution of ca AD 1850, at low and high altitudes. During the twentieth century, industrial releases multiplied by ca 10 times heavy metal fluxes to hydrological systems located on both sides of the Alps. During the last decades, the recent growing contribution of low radiogenic Pb further highlights the contribution of industrial sources with respect to wood and coal burning emissions.     

Heavy metals in mangrove sediments of the central Arabian Gulf shoreline,Saudi Arabia

To assess heavy metals in mangrove swamps of Sehat and Tarut coastal areas along the Arabian Gulf, 18 sediment samples were collected for Al, V, Cr, Mn, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Hg, Sr, As, Fe, Co, and Ni analysis. The results indicated that the distribution of some metals was largely controlled by anthropogenic inputs, while others were of terrigenous origin and most strongly associated with distribution of aluminum and total organic carbon in sediments. Mangrove sediments were extremely severe enriched with Sr (EF?=?67.59) and very severe enriched with V, Hg, Cd, Cu, As (EF?=?44.28, 37.45, 35.77, 25.97, and 11.53, respectively). Average values of Sr, V, Hg, Cd, Cu, Ni, As, and Cr were mostly higher than the ones recorded from the Mediterranean Sea, the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aqaba, the Caspian Sea, the Arabian and Oman gulfs, coast of Tanzania, sediment quality guidelines, and the background shale and the earth crust. Landfilling due to coastal infrastructure development around mangrove forests, oil spills and petrochemical and desalination effluents from Al-Jubail industrial city to the north were the anthropogenic activities that further enhanced heavy metals in the studied mangrove sediments.