Regional assessment of ecological risk caused by human activities on wetlands in the Muleng-Xingkai Plain of China using a pressure–capital–vulnerability–response model

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui Wang
Keyword(s):  
Ecological Risk ◽  
Human Activities ◽  
Response Model ◽  
Regional Assessment

scholarly journals Ecological risk and source analysis of soil heavy metals pollution in the river irrigation area from Baoji, China

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. e0253294
Author(s):  
Jun Zhang ◽  
Yu Gao ◽  
Ningning Yang ◽  
Enhua Dai ◽  
Minghang Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ecological Risk ◽  
Human Activities ◽  
Risk Index ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Research Area ◽  
Source Analysis ◽  
Pollution Level ◽  
Land Use Patterns ◽  
Irrigation Area ◽  
Distribution Features

Due to various human activities, soil quality under different land use patterns is deteriorating all over the world. This deterioration is very complex in the river irrigation area and is caused by multi-point and non-point source pollution and seasonal variation. Therefore, the characteristics and sources of soil metal pollution in river irrigation area of Baoji city were analyzed. The contents of 8 metals were given by ICP-MS, in the soil samples. Statistical methods, geo-accumulation index (Igeo) and potential ecological risk index (RI) were conducted to evaluate the spatial distribution features, sources and ecological risks of metal contamination from the study area soil. Principal component analysis and cluster analysis were used to analyze the pollution sources of metal. The analysis showed that Cd is the most polluted, and human activities represented a great impact on the contents of Zn, Ni, Cu and Cd in soil, Cd post moderate-strong pollution and strong risk, Cd has a maximum Igeo value of 3.17. All rivers were at risk of moderate pollution levels in study. Among them, some rivers had even reached strong pollution level. Pollution caused by human activities was the most significant pollution source of metal in the research area soil.

scholarly journals Regional Ecological Risk Assessment of Wetlands in the Sanjiang Plain with Respect to Human Disturbance

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 1974
Author(s):  
Hui Wang ◽  
Changchun Song ◽  
Kaishan Song
Keyword(s):  
Ecological Risk ◽  
Human Disturbance ◽  
Human Activities ◽  
Sanjiang Plain ◽  
Watershed Scale ◽  
The Sanjiang Plain ◽  
Central Places ◽  
Risk Sources ◽  
Ecological Capital ◽  
Very High

Characterization of the intensity of regional human disturbances on wetlands is an important scientific issue. In this study, the pole-axis system (involving multi-level central places and roads) was recognized as a proxy of direct risk to wetlands stemming from human activities at the regional or watershed scale. In this respect, the pole-axis system and central place theory were adopted to analyze the spatial agglomeration characteristics of regional human activities. Soil erosion and non-point source (NPS) pollution, indicating the indirect effect of human activities on wetlands, were also considered. Based on these human disturbance proxies, which are considered regional risk sources to wetlands, incorporated with another two indicators of regional environment, i.e., vulnerability and ecological capital indexes, the regional ecological risk assessment (RERA) framework of wetlands was finally established. Using this wetland RERA framework, the spatial heterogeneity of risk grades within the Naoli River Basin, a typical concentrated wetland region in the Sanjiang Plain, was analyzed. The results showed that (1) high- and very high-risk source intensity areas displayed a ring-shape distribution pattern, which reflected the influence of the regional pole-axis system; (2) owing to their high ecological capital value per unit area and vulnerability level, the wetlands had the highest risk grade, as did central places (i.e., those areas where county seats and administration bureaus of farms were located). In terms of proportion, the low-, medium-, high-, and very high-risk areas accounted for 72.0%, 16.8%, 10.1%, and 1.1% of the study area, respectively. The identification and classification of risk sources to wetlands that are related to human activity at the watershed scale could provide clear perspectives in order to reduce severe risk sources to these areas, especially those Ramsor Convention-appointed sites of international importance. Moreover, the assessment framework used in this paper will provide a helpful reference for related research in the future. Finally, the new management guidelines proposed in this paper will be beneficial for lowering the ecological risk level of wetlands at the watershed or regional scale for the Sanjiang Plain or other wetland-concentrated regions.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Heavy Metal Pollutants From Plateau Mines in Wetland Surface Deposits

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li Yu ◽  
Shi Kaiyi ◽  
Yuan Jie ◽  
Kuang Qiyu
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Heavy Metal ◽  
Ecological Risk ◽  
Human Activities ◽  
Surface Sediments ◽  
Potential Ecological Risk ◽  
Toxic Heavy Metals ◽  
Artificial Wetlands ◽  
Mining Areas ◽  
Pollution Levels

The Liupanshui Minghu Wetland is a typical artificial urban wetland in a plateau mining region. It is important to identify the sources and potential ecological risks of heavy metal contaminants in its surface sediments to monitor the wetland and the downstream water quality and prevent pollution. In this study, we measured the concentrations of six toxic heavy metals (Pb, Zn, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Cd) in the surface sediments collected from the Liupanshui Minghu Wetland. Further, the geological accumulation indices of heavy metals and their potential ecological risk indices, pollution levels, and associated ecological hazards were evaluated. The average levels of Pb, Zn, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Cd in the superficial sediments were 197, 222, 79.0, 59.1, 68.6, 4.67 mg/kg, respectively. With the exception of Cr, the concentrations of the remaining metals were greater than the background levels in the region. The Statistical analysis indicated a strong correlation between Pb, Zn, Cr, and Cu (p < 0.01). The pollution in the wetland by these elements can be attributed to human activities such as transportation, industrial activity, and agricultural production. Ni and Cd pollution can be attributed to human activities, such as coal mining, and natural phenomena, such as the weathering of mountains and rocks. The geological accumulation indices of Zn, Ni, and Cu indicated low levels of accumulation and minimal contamination. Cd and Pb were moderately enriched, and the levels of Cd and Pb contamination ranged from moderate to high. The potential ecological risk to the Shiyuan region (S) was the highest among the three regions in the wetland park. It was followed by the Longtoutan (L) region, and the potential ecological risk was the lowest in the Erdaoba (E) region. Among the six heavy metals, Cd was the main contributor to pollution in the Minghu Wetland. This study also strives to provide theoretical basis and data support for the prevention and control of heavy metal pollution in artificial wetlands in Alpine mining areas.

scholarly journals Developing an Ecological Risk Assessment to Effectively Manage Marine Resources in Data-Limited Locations: A Case Study for St Helena Sand Extraction

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frances Mynott ◽  
Jemma-Anne Lonsdale ◽  
Tammy Stamford
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Marine Environment ◽  
Ecological Risk ◽  
Ecological Risk Assessment ◽  
Human Activities ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Marine Biodiversity ◽  
Use Of Resources ◽  
St Helena ◽  
Sand Extraction

Maritime states are faced with the challenge of effectively managing their marine spaces to use resources sustainably, maximise economic potential and simultaneously protect their marine environments. Anthropogenic activities, whether in isolation or combination, all have effects on the natural environment. Each of these effects has a footprint in time and space. Assessing the distribution and intensity of human activities and their effects on marine biodiversity, and all other human uses and users is necessary for effective spatial planning, as well as to harmonise conservation with sustainable development. Assessing and managing combined pressures from human activities can be achieved using risk assessment and risk management processes. There are multiple examples of environmental risk assessments which propose a similar formula. However, standardised approaches to ecological risk assessment in data-limited locations that relate to sand extraction are limited. Also most assessments require a certain level of information to produce meaningful outcomes, that enable subsequent management action to appropriately reflect the identified level of risk. Here we outline an approach to assess the risk to the marine environment of sand extraction activity within the Exclusive Economic Zone and Marine Protected Area of St Helena Island in the Atlantic. The proposed risk assessment tool has supported the development of a sand extraction management strategy on St Helena, and will be used to inform future management plans and policies that allow anthropogenic activities to take place in a way that balances local management, monitoring and enforcement capability, in line with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Category VI designation. Both the tool and strategy promote sustainable use of resources and protection of the marine environment, which are key objectives stated in the St Helena Marine Management Plan.

scholarly journals Concentration, Spatial Distribution and Potential Ecological Risk of Heavy Metals in Stream Sediments of the Misiones Province, Argentina

Minerals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 1112
Author(s):  
Dongjie Zhao ◽  
Yuming Chen ◽  
Weibo Zhang ◽  
Xifeng Chen ◽  
Xiufa Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Ecological Risk ◽  
Human Activities ◽  
Potential Ecological Risk ◽  
Stream Sediments ◽  
Anthropogenic Sources ◽  
Pollution Level ◽  
Misiones Province

One hundred and twenty-eight stream sediment samples were collected in the Misiones province of Argentina by the low-density geochemical mapping project of the China Geological Survey. The analyzed data were used to study the concentration, spatial distribution, local pollution level and potential ecological risk of eight heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn) by factor analysis, geoaccumulation index (Igeo), enrichment factor (EF) and the Hakanson’s potential ecological risk index (Eir and RI) methods. Results showed that the background values (median) of those elements were 2.97 ppm, 0.13 ppm, 212.60 ppm, 322.53 ppm, 0.013 ppm, 64.42 ppm, 12.58 ppm, and 198.85 ppm, respectively. Except for Hg, the contents of other elements were higher than the abundance of continental crust. The spatial distribution of Cu and Zn in stream sediments were consistent, while that of other elements were different. The factor analysis results implied that Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni and Zn were mainly affected by geological background and inherited the characteristics of regional parent rocks. Furthermore, Pb was not only controlled by natural conditions but also related to human activities, while As and Hg represented the anthropogenic sources, and their concentrations were affected by human activities. The results of Igeo and EF told us that Cu was heavily polluted in stream sediments; Pb and Zn were largely mildly polluted; As, Cr, Cd, Ni and Hg were mostly nonpolluted. The ecological risks were ordered as As > Cu > Cd > Pb > Hg > Cr > Ni > Zn. In general, the potential ecological risk of heavy metals in the Misiones province was low, but As and Cu also have a high ecological risk at some sampling points, which should be considered.

scholarly journals Variations of Habitat Quality and Ecological Risk and Their Correlations With Landscape Metrics in a Robust Human Disturbed Coastal Region

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huiqing Han ◽  
Zhihua Su ◽  
Guangbin Yang
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Quality ◽  
Ecological Risk ◽  
Landscape Metrics ◽  
Landscape Pattern ◽  
Human Activities ◽  
Coastal Region ◽  
Rapid Expansion ◽  
Risk Level ◽  
Coastal Regions ◽  
Rapid Urbanization

Abstract As impacted by strong intense human activity disturbance, the landscape pattern change significantly affects the habitat quality and ecological risk level in the coastal regions. Though numerous researches were conducted in coastal habitat quality and ecological risk, the correlations of habitat quality and ecological risk with landscape metrics in coastal regions have been rarely reported. A scientific question should be addressed is the scientific basis for the sustainable development of coastal regions. Accordingly, Xinggang town, a coastal region in southern China, was selected as a typical coastal region disturbed by robust human activities. Given high-precision remote sensing data, the temporal-spatial variations of habitat quality and ecological risk in the coastal region were analyzed by adopting the methods of InVEST model and ecological risk index, and the correlations of habitat quality and ecological risk with landscape metrics were examined. As indicated from the results, the deterioration of habitat quality and the increase in ecological risk in the coastal region under the disturbance of human activities exhibited obvious distance gradients. The gradient area close to the coastline was the area with the prominent variations of habitat quality and ecological risk. Most landscape metrics were positively correlated with habitat quality and ecological risk, and the correlations were different in a range of distance gradients. Under the rapid urbanization in the coastal region, the rapid expansion of built-up land and the decrease of natural landscapes significantly impacted the landscape pattern index and then altered the habitat quality and ecological risk level.

scholarly journals Potential Ecological Risks of Heavy Metals in Agricultural Soil Alongside Highways and Their Relationship with Landscape

Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 800
Author(s):  
Cong Xu ◽  
Jie Pu ◽  
Bo Wen ◽  
Min Xia
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Heavy Metal ◽  
Ecological Risk ◽  
Human Activities ◽  
Agricultural Soil ◽  
Risk Index ◽  
Pollution Index ◽  
Potential Ecological Risk ◽  
Ecological Risks ◽  
Ecological Risk Index

The agricultural soil alongside highways has experienced multiple potential ecological risks from human activities. In this study, 100 soil samples near the highways were collected in Lishui District, Nanjing City. Using the single-factor pollution index, the Nemerow comprehensive pollution index, and the potential ecological risk index, the study investigated the heavy metal contents and distribution in roadside agricultural soil. PCA and a multiple regression model were applied to quantitatively analyze the spatial relationships between sampling soil heavy metal accumulation and the surrounding man-made landscape. The mean contents of Cu and Pb exceeded the background, while Cd, Cr, and Zn were lower than that. The potential ecological risk index exhibited a very low ecological hazard and only Cr in soils rarely showed moderate risk. Furthermore, quantitative analysis for the sources of contamination revealed that agricultural practices were the dominant contributors to the heavy metals, including Cd, Cu, and Zn, while road and heavy industrial practices contributed to Cr and Pb. The study provides sources of heavy metal pollution from human activities in roadside agricultural land and serves as a reference for ecological restoration.

scholarly journals Heavy Metal Contamination of Urban Mangrove Sediments and Their Environmental Significance in the Zhanjiang Bay

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xun Zhou ◽  
Yao-Ping Wang ◽  
Yuan Gao ◽  
Jia Xia ◽  
Sibo Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Heavy Metal ◽  
Ecological Risk ◽  
Metal Pollution ◽  
Human Activities ◽  
Heavy Metal Pollution ◽  
Risk Level ◽  
Mangrove Sediments ◽  
Metal Elements ◽  
Heavy Metal Elements

Abstract Urban mangroves can be used to measure the impact of human activities on the urban ecological environment because mangroves are sensitive to human activities. However, studies on the evaluation of heavy metal elements in urban mangroves are still limited. Consequently, this study selected the urban mangroves in a central commercial area of Zhanjiang Bay as a case study to investigate the content and distribution of the heavy metal elements in mangrove sediments. Combined with the results of elemental analysis, grain size analysis, risk level, influencing factors, and sources of heavy metal pollution in the surficial sediments of the mangroves in the study area were evaluated based on mathematical models and multivariate statistical analysis. The results show that (1) concentration of heavy metals: V> Pb> Cu> Ni> As> Co> Cd> Hg; (2) the content of the eight heavy metal elements has a significant positive correlation with total organic carbon (TOC) and total nitrogen (TN) values, likely as a result of adsorption, complexation, or precipitation of heavy metals by organic matter in the sediments; (3) the mangrove sediments in the study area are affected by heavy metal pollution, among which Cd pollution is the heaviest, followed by Hg pollution; (4) comprehensive analyses of multiple heavy metals using Potential Ecological Risk Index shows that the risk level of the study area is slight to very strong ecological risk; (5) the heavy metals in the study area are mainly derived from human activities such as urban domestic sewage, transportation, and ship pollution.

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