Distribution, Potential Sources, and Risks of Heavy Metal Contamination in the Huaihe River: Insights from Water and Sediment Analysis

Yuqing Miao (), Jixiang Gu, Zhijie Gao, Jiejie Lyu, Fanghu Sun, Chuansheng Wu (), Xun Liu, Weilin Hong, Yuesheng Lin, Hao Wang, Zichen Chen, Sixu Zhang, Qikai Hu and Xiaocao Sha
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Yuqing Miao: Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Regional Response in the Yangtze-Huaihe River Basin, School of Geography and Tourism, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241002, China
Jixiang Gu: Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Regional Response in the Yangtze-Huaihe River Basin, School of Geography and Tourism, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241002, China
Zhijie Gao: Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Regional Response in the Yangtze-Huaihe River Basin, School of Geography and Tourism, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241002, China
Jiejie Lyu: Department of Geography, Fuyang Normal University, Fuyang 236037, China
Fanghu Sun: Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Regional Response in the Yangtze-Huaihe River Basin, School of Geography and Tourism, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241002, China
Chuansheng Wu: Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Environmental Hormone and Reproduction, Fuyang 236037, China
Xun Liu: Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Environmental Hormone and Reproduction, Fuyang 236037, China
Weilin Hong: Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Regional Response in the Yangtze-Huaihe River Basin, School of Geography and Tourism, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241002, China
Yuesheng Lin: Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Regional Response in the Yangtze-Huaihe River Basin, School of Geography and Tourism, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241002, China
Hao Wang: Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Regional Response in the Yangtze-Huaihe River Basin, School of Geography and Tourism, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241002, China
Zichen Chen: Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Regional Response in the Yangtze-Huaihe River Basin, School of Geography and Tourism, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241002, China
Sixu Zhang: Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Regional Response in the Yangtze-Huaihe River Basin, School of Geography and Tourism, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241002, China
Qikai Hu: Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Regional Response in the Yangtze-Huaihe River Basin, School of Geography and Tourism, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241002, China
Xiaocao Sha: Nanjing Ark Environmental Development Co., Ltd., Nanjing 210046, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 8, 1-19

Abstract: Riverine heavy metal (HM) pollution, a critical global environmental issue, severely affects water quality, ecosystem health, and human well-being. The Huaihe River, once among China’s most polluted, has seen water quality improvements due to strict pollution controls, yet the extent of HM pollution reduction remains uncertain. Here, we investigated the distribution, sources, and potential ecological and health risks of nine typical HMs (Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Pb, and Hg) in surface water and sediment in the Anhui section of the river. Seasonal variations in HM concentrations were observed, with most values below drinking water safety limits, except for Mn and Cd at specific sites and seasons. Indices including the HPI , HEI , HQ , and HI showed low contamination and health risks, yet children are more vulnerable to non-carcinogenic hazards, notably from Cd and As. Sediment HMs trends decreased as Mn > Zn > Cr > Pb > Ni > Cu > As > Cd > Hg, with moderate pollution from Cd, Mn, and Pb based on CF , EF , and I geo assessments. PLI and NPI suggested moderate ecological risks in midstream areas due to HM accumulation. The correlation analysis and PCA revealed that HMs in uncontaminated sediments were mainly of geogenic origin, while contaminated sediments were largely influenced by anthropogenic activities, including agricultural runoff, industrial waste, and domestic sewage discharge. Overall, our findings highlight that control of anthropogenic activities within the Huaihe River basin is essential for reducing HM pollution in the river.

Keywords: river water; sediments; heavy metal; source identification; Huaihe river; multi-element pollution indices (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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