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Distribution and risk analysis of heavy metals in sediments from the Yangtze River Estuary, China

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Abstract

Sediments core within the Yangtze River Estuary was collected for metal and grain size analysis. The vertical distribution characteristics of eight metals along the core were investigated based on 137Cs and 210Pb radionuclide dating. The sediment was mainly composed of sand and silt. The metals concentrations were Al, 4.67–6.83; Fe, 2.3–3.94; Mn, 0.046–0.07; Cr, 69.5–103; Cu, 14.3–32.1; Zn, 47.3–96.7; Cd, 0.037–0.212; Pb, 13.7–23; Ni, 18.8–38.9 (mg·kg−1, except Al, Fe, and Mn as %), respectively. Geoaccumulation indexes (Igeo) indicated that Cu, Zn, and Pb were of pollution-free level; Cd, Cr, and Ni were in a slight polluted level. Based on potential ecological risk factors (EI), Cd posed a moderate risk to the local environment. Correlation analysis showed that Fe, Al, and Mn had a close association with Cu, Zn, Pb, and Ni at p < 0.01. Clay was significantly correlated with other metals except Cr and Cd.

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Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (41106108) and Special Fund for Public Welfare Industrial Research of the Ministry of Land and Resources of China (201011019-05).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Ocean Sciences, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing, 100083, China

    Xiao Wang, Baolin Liu & Wensi Zhang

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  1. Xiao Wang
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  2. Baolin Liu
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  3. Wensi Zhang
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Correspondence to Baolin Liu.

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Responsible editor: Philippe Garrigues

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Highlights

• The vertical distribution characteristics of eight metals along the core were investigated based on 137Cs and 210Pb radionuclide dating.

• Study the grain size characteristics of sediments.

• Assess the level of sediments contamination and toxicity and identify the possible sources of heavy metals.

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Wang, X., Liu, B. & Zhang, W. Distribution and risk analysis of heavy metals in sediments from the Yangtze River Estuary, China. Environ Sci Pollut Res 27, 10802–10810 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-019-07581-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-019-07581-x

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