Distribution, Assessment, and Source of Heavy Metals in Sediments of the Qinjiang River, China

Shuncun Zhang, Bo Chen, Junru Du, Tao Wang, Haixin Shi and Feng Wang
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Shuncun Zhang: Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China
Bo Chen: Guangxi Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Materials and Safety Technology, Beibu Gulf University, Qinzhou 515000, China
Junru Du: Guangxi Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Materials and Safety Technology, Beibu Gulf University, Qinzhou 515000, China
Tao Wang: Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China
Haixin Shi: Guangxi Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Materials and Safety Technology, Beibu Gulf University, Qinzhou 515000, China
Feng Wang: Guangxi Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Materials and Safety Technology, Beibu Gulf University, Qinzhou 515000, China

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 15, 1-17

Abstract: Heavy metals are toxic, persistent, and non-degradable. After sedimentation and adsorption, they accumulate in water sediments. The aim of this study was to assess the extent of heavy metal pollution of Qinjiang River sediments and its effects on the ecological environment and apportioning sources. The mean total concentrations of Mn, Zn, Cr, Cu, and Pb are 3.14, 2.33, 1.39, 5.79, and 1.33 times higher than the background values, respectively. Co, Ni, and Cd concentrations are lower than the background values. Fe, Co, Ni, Cd, Cr, Cu, and Pb are all primarily in the residual state, while Mn and Zn are primarily in the acid-soluble and oxidizable states, respectively. Igeo, RI , SQGs, and RAC together indicate that the pollution status and ecological risk of heavy metals in Qinjiang River sediments are generally moderate; among them, Fe, Co, Ni, Cd, Cr, and Pb are not harmful to the ecological environment of the Qinjiang River. Cu is not readily released because of its higher residual composition, suggesting that Cu is less harmful to the ecological environment. Mn and Zn, as the primary pollution factors of the Qinjiang River, are harmful to the ecological environment. This heavy metal pollution in surface sediments of the Qinjiang River primarily comes from manganese and zinc ore mining. Manganese carbonate and its weathered secondary manganese oxide are frequently associated with a significant amount of residual copper and Cd, as a higher pH is suitable for the deposition and enrichment of these heavy metals. Lead–zinc ore and its weathering products form organic compounds with residual Fe, Co, Cr, and Ni, and their content is related to salinity. The risk assessment results of heavy metals in sediments provide an important theoretical basis for the prevention and control of heavy metal pollution in Qinjiang River.

Keywords: heavy metals; risk assessment; source analysis; surface sediment; Qinjiang River (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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