Purpose

The spatial distribution and potential ecological risks of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) such as Sb, As, Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cr in sediment samples from the Qingfeng River were evaluated. This study aims to reveal the current status of sediment quality in the Qingfeng River and provide a scientific basis for its remediation and further comprehensive management.

Materials and methods

Descriptive analysis and inverse distance weighted method were used to investigate the concentration and spatial distribution of PTEs in sediments. The geoaccumulation index evaluation (I_geo), Nemerow index (NI), and potential ecological risk index (RI) were used to evaluate the pollution degree of PTEs. Multivariate statistical techniques, such as cluster analysis, correlation analysis, and principal component analysis, were used to identify the sources of PTEs.

Results and discussion

The results showed that the river sediments were mainly polluted by Sb (concentration range: 69–11,900 mg kg⁻¹) and As (concentration range: 8–607 mg kg⁻¹) and that the average concentrations were 4.3 and 553 times those of the background values, respectively. Based on the spatial distribution and pollution risks of PTEs, the study area was divided into three river sections, and the pollution risks were decreased in the order of upstream > midstream > downstream. The geoaccumulation index evaluation showed that the hierarchy of PTE pollutant concentration was as follows: Sb > As > Cu > Zn > Cr > Pb. The Nemerow indexes and potential ecological risk indexes all indicated that a very high potential risk exhibited in the study area, while the potential ecological risk of Sb was significantly higher than that of the other PTEs. Correlation analysis and principal component analysis indicated that Pb, As, and Sb were mainly derived from industrial activities, and Cu, Cr, and Zn were mainly derived from agricultural activities.

Conclusions

The results showed that a very high potential risk existed in the study area. Sb was the main pollution factor of the surface sediments of the Qingfeng River and posed a very high potential ecological risk, while Cu, Cr, Zn, and Pb had low ecological risks. The results also determined that the sources of PTEs in the sediments could be mainly attributed to human activities. Substantial measures should be taken to control and resolve the PTE pollution in the Qingfeng River at the source.

中文翻译：

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湖南清风河表层沉积物中潜在有毒元素的分布、来源及生态风险评估

目的

评估了清风河沉积物样品中潜在有毒元素（PTEs）如Sb、As、Cu、Zn、Pb和Cr的空间分布和潜在生态风险。本研究旨在揭示清风河沉积物质量现状，为其整治和进一步综合治理提供科学依据。

材料和方法

采用描述性分析和反距离加权法研究沉积物中PTEs的浓度和空间分布。地积累指数评价（I _geo）、内梅罗指数（NI）和潜在生态风险指数（RI）用于评价PTEs的污染程度。多元统计技术，如聚类分析、相关分析和主成分分析，被用来识别 PTE 的来源。

结果和讨论

结果表明，河流沉积物主要受到Sb（浓度范围：69-11,900 mg kg ^-1）和As（浓度范围：8-607 mg kg ^-1)，平均浓度分别是背景值的 4.3 和 553 倍。根据PTEs的空间分布和污染风险，将研究区划分为3个河段，污染风险依次为上游>中游>下游。地累积指数评价表明，PTE污染物浓度等级为：Sb>As>Cu>Zn>Cr>Pb。Nemerow指数和潜在生态风险指数均表明研究区表现出非常高的潜在风险，而Sb的潜在生态风险显着高于其他PTE。相关分析和主成分分析表明，Pb、As、Sb 主要来源于工业活动，Cu、Cr、

结论

结果表明，研究区存在非常高的潜在风险。Sb是清风河表层沉积物的主要污染因子，具有很高的潜在生态风险，而Cu、Cr、Zn、Pb的生态风险较低。结果还确定沉积物中PTEs的来源可能主要归因于人类活动。采取实质性措施，从源头上控制和解决清风河PTE污染。