Understanding the Heavy Metal Pollution Pattern in Sediments of a Typical Small- and Medium-Sized Reservoir in China

Qibei Bao, Cheng Liu, Kurt Friese, Tallent Dadi, Juhua Yu, Chengxin Fan and Qiushi Shen ()
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Qibei Bao: Ningbo College of Health Sciences, Ningbo 315100, China
Cheng Liu: State Key Laboratory of Lake Science and Environment, Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
Kurt Friese: UFZ-Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department of Lake Research, 39114 Magdeburg, Germany
Tallent Dadi: UFZ-Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department of Lake Research, 39114 Magdeburg, Germany
Juhua Yu: State Key Laboratory of Lake Science and Environment, Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
Chengxin Fan: State Key Laboratory of Lake Science and Environment, Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
Qiushi Shen: State Key Laboratory of Lake Science and Environment, Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 20, issue 1, 1-17

Abstract: Heavy metal pollution in sediments is a common environmental issue in small- and medium-sized reservoirs not only in China but also worldwide; however, few interpretations of the pollution pattern exist. Based on the analyses of accumulation characteristics, ecological risks, and source apportionments of eight heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb, Ni, and Zn) in sediments, we derived a paradigm to describe the pollution pattern of heavy metals in sediments of a typical small- and medium-sized Tongjiqiao Reservoir. The results showed high levels of Cd, Hg, and As pollutants in the surface and upper sediment layers of the pre-dam area. Additionally, As, Cd, Hg, and Pb pollutants peaked in the middle layers of the inflow area, indicating a high ecological risk in these areas. The positive matrix factorization results implied that industrial, agricultural, and transportation activities were the main sources of heavy metals. The heavy metal pollution pattern exhibited three distinct stages: low contamination, rapid pollution, and pollution control. This pattern explains the heavy metal pollution process in the sediments and will provide scientific guidance for realizing the green and sustainable operation and development of the reservoir.

Keywords: heavy metal; sediment; source apportion; positive matrix factorization receptor model; pollution pattern; Tongjiqiao Reservoir (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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