Improved Method of Background Value Determination for Sb and Cd in Freshwater Sediment—Insights from Controlling Factors on Spatial Variability

Lingchen Mao (), Ruijie Wang, Kai Kang, Feipeng Li, Zheng Zhang, Qingyang Che and Qinyi Tang
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Lingchen Mao: School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China
Ruijie Wang: School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China
Kai Kang: School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China
Feipeng Li: School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China
Zheng Zhang: School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China
Qingyang Che: School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China
Qinyi Tang: School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 5, 1-14

Abstract: Variability in the distribution of natural total Sb and Cd in freshwater sediments leads to difficulties in background value (BV) determination. This study aimed to establish a method to determine BV more accurately by investigating the vertical distribution of Sb and Cd in sediment cores collected from a typical river in alluvial plain in China and revealed the factors that control the variation of Sb and Cd BV, which has not been studied in alluvial freshwater sediment. The results suggested that uncontaminated samples for BV calculation should be determined by statistical analysis as human and natural disturbance led to high variation in contamination depth, from <5 cm to >55 cm. The sequential chemical extraction method showed a considerable amount of non-residual fractions of Sb and Cd, which accounted for 48% and 43% of the total, respectively. Acid extractable Cd (16%) was associated to the limestone geology in the area. Fine particles which governed by sedimentary environment contained more natural Sb and Cd, as strong positive correlation was found between clay content and Sb concentration (r = 0.89, p < 0.01), as well as Cd concentration (r = 0.54, p < 0.01). Based on these findings, a method combined with standard deviation and geochemical method was established to calculate the BV of Sb and Cd, and counter maps were made to cover the variation of BV in the Taipu river sediment. The pollution level has been evaluated by the geoaccumulation index more accurately.

Keywords: sequential chemical extraction; geoaccumulation index; parent material; sedimentary environment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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