Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Assessment of As, Cd, Zn, Cu and Pb Pollution and Toxicity in River Wetland Sediments and Artificial Wetland Soils Affected by Urbanization in a Chinese Delta

  • Degradation and Ecological Restoration of Estuarine Wetlands in China
  • Published:
Wetlands Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The concentrations of As, Cd, Zn, Cu and Pb were analyzed to assess their pollution levels and toxic risks in different wetlands affected by urbanization. The results showed that As and heavy metals (especially Cd) showed higher concentrations in urban and rural river wetland sediments compared with artificial wetland soils. Comparatively, urban river wetland sediments contained higher Cu, Pb and Zn and lower As and Cd levels than rural river wetland sediments and artificial wetland soils. Cu, Pb, Zn, soil/sediment organic matter (SOM) and total phosphorous (TP) were all positively correlated with each other. The highest geoaccumulation indexes and pollution levels were observed in urban river wetlands, followed by rural river wetlands, while artificial wetlands showed the lowest values. In urban and rural river wetlands, the enrichment factor (EF) values for As and heavy metals exceeded 1.5, implying that they might be mostly from anthropogenic sources. In artificial wetlands, the EF values suggested that only Cd was mainly from anthropogenic sources. The sum of toxic units (ΣTUs) values showed that As and heavy metals in both river wetland sediments had moderate toxic risks with ΣTUs values exceeding 4, while a low toxicity risk was observed in artificial wetland soils.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alahabadi A, Malvandi H (2018) Contamination and ecological risk assessment of heavy metals and metalloids in surface sediments of the Tajan River, Iran. Marine Pollution Bulletin 133:741–749

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ansari AA, Singh IB, Tobschall HJ (2000) Importance of geomorphology and sedimentation processes for metal dispersion in sediments and soils of the ganga plain: identification of geochemical domains. Chemical Geology 162:245–266

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Argyraki A, Kelepertzis E (2014) Urban soil geochemistry in Athens, Greece: the importance of local geology in controlling the distribution of potentially harmful trace elements. Science of the Total Environment 482-483:366–377

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bai J, Xiao R, Cui B, Zhang K, Wang Q, Liu X, Gao H, Huang L (2011) Assessment of heavy metal pollution in wetland soils from the young and old reclaimed regions in the Pearl River estuary, South China. Environmental Pollution 159:817–824

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bai Y, Wang M, Peng C, Alatalo JM (2016) Impacts of urbanization on the distribution of heavy metals in soils along the Huangpu River, the drinking water source for Shanghai. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 23:5222–5231

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bai J, Zhao Q, Wang W, Wang X, Jia J, Cui BLiu X (2019) Arsenic and heavy metals pollution along a salinity gradient in drained coastal wetland soils: depth distributions, sources and toxic risks. Ecological Indicators 96:91–98

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chapman PM, Allard PJ, Vigers GA (1999) Development of sediment quality values for Hong Kong special administrative region: a possible model for other jurisdictions. Marine Pollution Bulletin 38:161–169

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen Z, Kostaschuk R, Yang M (2001) Heavy metals on tidal flats in the Yangtze estuary, China. Environ Geol 40:479–742

  • Chen T, Zheng Y, Lei M, Huang Z, Wu H, Chen H, Fan K, Yu K, Wu X, Tian Q (2005) Assessment of heavy metal pollution in surface soils of urban parks in Beijing, China. Chemosphere 60:542–551

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • China National Environmental Monitoring Center (CNEMC) (1990) Chinese elemental background values for soils. Chinese Environmental Science Press Beijing

  • Chu B, Li Q, Cai S, Fang J (2008) Appraisal of potential ecological risk of heavy metals in wetland in Pear River estuary. Marine Environmental Science:250–252

  • Cui WZ (2004) Study on protection of mudflat wetland in the Pearl River estuary. Wetland Science 2:26–30

  • Dong XQ, Li CL, Li J, Wang JX, Liu ST, Ye B (2010) A novel approach for soil contamination assessment from heavy metal pollution: a linkage between discharge and adsorption. Journal of Hazardous Materials 175:1022–1030

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Du LG, Rinklebe J, Vandecasteele B, Meers E, Tack FMG (2009) Trace metal behaviour in estuarine and riverine floodplain soils and sediments: a review. Sci Total Environ 407:3972–3985

  • European Union (2000) Working Document on sludge, 3rd Draft. Brussels, 27 April 2000. ENV.E.3/LM, pp.19

  • Frickel Elliott JR (2008) Tracking industrial land use conversions. Organization & Environment 21:128–147

    Google Scholar 

  • Geng J, Wang Y, Luo H (2015) Distribution, sources, and fluxes of heavy metals in the Pearl River Delta, South China. Marine Pollution Bulletin 101:914–921

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • González AZI, Krachler M, Cheburkin AK, Shotyk W (2006) Spatial distribution of natural enrichments of arsenic, selenium, and uranium in a Minerotrophic Peatland, Gola di Lago, Canton Ticino, Switzerland. Environ Sci & Technol 40:6568–6574

  • Gu YG, Li QS, Fang JH, He BY, Fu HB, Tong ZJ (2014) Identification of heavy metal sources in the reclaimed farmland soils of the Pearl River estuary in China using a multivariate geostatistical approach. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 105:7–12

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Heiny JS, Tate CM (1997) Concentration, distribution, and comparison of selected trace elements in bed sediment and fish tissue in the South Platte River basin, USA, 1992–1993. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 32:246–259

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hettiarachchi GM, Pierzynski GM, Ransom MD (2001) In situ stabilization of soil Lead using phosphorus. J Environ Qual 30:1214–1221

  • Hu B, Li G, Li J, Bi J, Zhao J, Bu R (2013) Spatial distribution and ecotoxicological risk assessment of heavy metals in surface sediments of the southern Bohai Bay, China. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 20:4099–4110

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Huang X, Liang K (2006) The distribution and assessment of heavy metals in surficial sediments in the PEARL RIVER estuary. Transactions of Oceanology and Limnology:27–36

  • Jia P, Gong HL, Zhao WJ, Li XJ (2003) Progress in wetland research in China. Journal of Capital Normal University (Natural Science Edition) 24:84–94

  • Karageorgis AP, Nikolaidis NP, Karamanos H, Skoulikidis N (2003) Water and sediment quality assessment of the Axios River and its coastal environment. Continental Shelf Research 23:1929–1944

    Google Scholar 

  • Ke X, Gui S, Huang H, Zhang H, Wang C, Guo W (2017) Ecological risk assessment and source identification for heavy metals in surface sediment from the Liaohe River protected area, China. Chemosphere 175:473–481

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Li XD, Wai OWH, Cloes BJ, Ramsey MH, Thornton I (2000) Heavy metal distribution in sediment profiles of the Pearl River estuary, South China. Applied Geochemistry 15:567–581

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li C, Lei Y, He W, Dai Z (2001) Land-ocean interaction in modern delta formation and development: a case study of the Pearl River delta, China. SCIENCE CHINA Chemistry 44:63–71

    Google Scholar 

  • Li Q, Wu Z, Chu B, Zhang N, Cai S, Fang J (2007) Heavy metals in coastal wetland sediments of the Pearl River estuary, China. Environmental Pollution 149:158–164

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Li R, Chai M, Guo YQ (2016) Distribution, fraction, and ecological assessment of heavy metals in sediment-plant system in mangrove Forest, South China Sea. PLoS One 11:e0147308

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Liu J, Li Y, Zhang B, Cao J, Cao Z, Domagalski J (2009) Ecological risk of heavy metals in sediments of the Luan River source water. Ecotoxicology 18:748–758

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Long Y (1997) Sedimentary geology of the Pearl River Delta. Geological Publishing House (in Chinese), Beijing

  • Loska K, Wiechuła D, Korus I (2004) Metal contamination of farming soils affected by industry. Environment International 30:159–165

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lu Q, Bai J, Gao Z, Zhao Q, Wang J (2016) Spatial and seasonal distribution and risk assessments for metals in a Tamarix chinensis wetland, China. Wetlands 36(S1):125–136

    Google Scholar 

  • MacDonald DD, Ingersoll CG, Berger TA (2000) Development and evaluation of consensus-based sediment quality guidelines for freshwater ecosystems. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 39:20–31

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Malvandi H (2017) Preliminary evaluation of heavy metal contamination in the Zarrin-Gol River sediments, Iran. Marine Pollution Bulletin 117:547–553

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ontario Ministry of the Environment (MOE) (1993) Guidelines for the protection and Management of Aquatic Sediment Quality in Ontario. Queen’s Printer for Ontario, Ontario

    Google Scholar 

  • Pedersen F, Bjørnestad E, Vang AH, Kjølholt J, Poll C (1998) Characterization of sediments from Copenhagen harbour by use of biotests. Water Science and Technology 37:233–240

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pekey H, Karaka D, Ayberk S, Tolun L, Lu MB (2004) Ecological risk assessment using trace elements from surface sediments of Izmit Bay (northeastern Marmara Sea) Turkey. Marine Pollution Bulletin 48:946–953

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Quan Q (2017) Evaluation of heavy metal pollution in wetland: research Progress in China. Chinese Agricultural Science Bulletin

  • Ravisankar R, Sivakumar S, Chandrasekaran A, Kanagasabapathy KV, Prasad MVR, Satapathy KK (2015) Statistical assessment of heavy metal pollution in sediments of east coast of Tamilnadu using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (EDXRF). Applied Radiation and Isotopes 102:42–47

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rubio B, Nombela MA, Vilas F (2000) Geochemistry of major and trace elements in sediments of the Ria de Vigo (NW Spain): an assessment of metal pollution ☆. Marine Pollution Bulletin 40:968–980

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Satarug S, Garrett SH, Sens MA, Donald A (2010) Cadmium, environmental exposure and health outcomes. Environmental Health Perspectives 118:182–190

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Scheckel KG, Ryan JA (2003) In vitro formation of pyromorphite via reaction of Pb sources with soft-drink phosphoric acid. Sci Total Environ 302:253–265

  • Singh KP, Malik A, Basant N, Singh VK, Basant A (2007) Multi-way data modeling of heavy metal fractionation in sediments from Gomti River (India). Chemometrics and Intelligent Laboratory Systems 87:185–193

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Smith SL, MacDonald DD, Keenleyside KA, Ingersoll CG, Jay FL (1996) A preliminary evaluation of sediment quality assessment values for freshwater ecosystems. Journal of Great Lakes Research 22:624–638

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sun P, Huajuan Z, Weihua Y, Lianke Z, Yumei L (2016) Analysis and evaluation of soil heavy metal pollution in green space of Baotou. Hubei Agricul Sci 55:4124–4128

  • Sungur A, Soylak M, Yilmaz E, Yilmaz S, Ozcan H (2015) Characterization of heavy metal fractions in agricultural soils by sequential extraction procedure: the relationship between soil properties and heavy metal fractions. Soil and Sediment Contamination: An International Journal 24:1–15

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sutherland RA (2000) Bed sediment-associated trace metals in an urban stream, Oahu, Hawaii. Environmental Geology 39:611–627

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Walkley A, Black IA (1934) An examination of the Degtjareff method for determining organic carbon in soils: effect of variations in digestion conditions and of inorganic soil constituents. Soil Science 63:251–263

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang B, Changwei F, Xiaoqing L, Shoubiao Z, Wanhong D (2013) Heavy metal pollution and the assessment of its ecological risk early warning in Dayanghan metropolitan Wetland Park. Chinese Journal of Soil Science 44:484–489

  • Wang Y, Jiao J, Zhang K, Zhou Y (2016) Enrichment and mechanisms of heavy metal mobility in a coastal quaternary groundwater system of the Pearl River Delta, China. Sci. Total Environment 545-546:493–502

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang M, Hu K, Dingling Z, Jinhu L (2019) Speciation and spatial distribution of heavy metals (Cu and Zn) in wetland soils of Poyang Lake (China) in wet seasons. Wetlands 11:1–10

  • Woitke P, Wellmitz J, Helm D, Kube P, Lepom P, Litheraty P (2003) Analysis and assessment of heavy metal pollution in suspended solids and sediments of the river Danube. Chemosphere 51:633–642

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wong SC, Li XD, Zhang G, Qi SH, Min YS (2002) Heavy metals in agricultural soils of the Pearl River Delta, South China. Environ. Environmental Pollution 119:33–44

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wu C, Xing W, Jie R, Yun B, Zhigang H, Yiaping L, Heyin SWenyan Z (2010a) Morphodynamics of the rock-bound outlets of the Pearl River estuary, South China - a preliminary study. Journal of Marine Systems 82:S17–S27

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu G, Kang HB, Zhang XY, Shao HB, Chu LY, Ruan CJ (2010b) A critical review on the bio-removal of hazardous heavy metals from contaminated soils: issues, progress, eco-environmental concerns and opportunities. Journal of Hazardous Materials 174:1–8

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wu CS, Yang S, Huang S, Mu J (2016) Delta changes in the Pearl River estuary and its response to human activities (1954-2008). Quaternary International 392:147–154

    Google Scholar 

  • Xue D (2016) Research on the heavy metal matter flow of the Haizhu National Wetland Park in Guangdong. South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou

  • Yan X, Hu Y, Chang Y, Li Y, Liu M, Zhong J, Zhang D, Wu W (2017) Effects of land reclamation on distribution of soil properties and heavy metal concentrations, and the associated environmental pollution assessment. Pol J Environ Stud 26:1809–1823

  • Yang YQ, Chen FR, Zhang L, Liu JS, Wu SJ, Kang ML (2012) Comprehensive assessment of heavy metal contamination in sediment of the Pearl River estuary and adjacent shelf. Marine Pollution Bulletin 64:1947–1955

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Yong N, Yuan N, Yu H, Xia J, Guo X, Yong P, Xu X (2019) Concentration distribution and toxicity of heavy metals in surface sediment of Poyang Lake, China. Wetlands 39:S55–S62

  • Zhang L, Guo S, Wu B (2015) The source, spatial distribution and risk assessment of heavy metals in soil from the Pearl River Delta based on the National Multi-Purpose Regional Geochemical Survey. PLoS One 10:e0132040

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang G, Bai J, Xiao R, Zhao Q, Jia J, Cui B, Liu X (2017) Heavy metal fractions and ecological risk assessment in sediments from urban, rural and reclamation-affected rivers of the Pearl River estuary, China. Chemosphere 184:278–288

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang L, Xu S, Fu D (2018) Characteristics of heavy metal pollution in the Pearl River estuary wetland soil. Tropical Geomorphology 39:20–25

  • Zhao G, Lu Q, Ye S, Yuan H, Ding X, Wang J (2016) Assessment of heavy metal contamination in surface sediments of the West Guangdong coastal region, China. Mar Pollut Bull 108:268–274

  • Zhao G, Ye S, Yuan H, Ding X, Wang J (2017) Surface sediment properties and heavy metal pollution assessment in the Pearl River estuary, China. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 24:2966–2979

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This study was financially supported by the National R&D Program of China (2017YFC0505906), the Key Project of National Natural Science Foundation (U1901212), the Fund for Innovative Research Group of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 51721093), the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities and the Interdisciplinary Research Funds of Beijing Normal University.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, People’s Republic of China

    Chongyu Yan, Junhong Bai, Xiaojun Wen, Qiongqiong Lu & Ling Zhang

  2. Jinan Environmental Research Academy, Jinan, 250102, People’s Republic of China

    Tao Zhuang

Authors
  1. Chongyu Yan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Tao Zhuang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Junhong Bai
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Xiaojun Wen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Qiongqiong Lu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Ling Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Tao Zhuang or Junhong Bai.

Additional information

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Yan, C., Zhuang, T., Bai, J. et al. Assessment of As, Cd, Zn, Cu and Pb Pollution and Toxicity in River Wetland Sediments and Artificial Wetland Soils Affected by Urbanization in a Chinese Delta. Wetlands 40, 2799–2809 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13157-020-01330-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13157-020-01330-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation