Spatial-Temporal Variations for Pollution Assessment of Heavy Metals in Hengshui Lake of China

Abstract A comprehensive analysis of the spatial and temporal variations of heavy metals in wetland sediment can delineate the changes in possible contamination sources, providing valuable conservation strategies for further wetland management. Using pollution index, enrichment factors, and potential ecological risk index, the spatial and temporal variations in heavy metals (Cd, Hg, As, Pb, Cr, Cu, and Zn) were evaluated in Hengshui Lake in north China from 2005 to 2020. The results demonstrated that the concentrations and assessment index for most heavy metals all decreased, with that of As decreasing the most (-54.3%), which mainly benefited from the implementation of a series of ecological conservation and restoration projects. Although the assessment indexes for most heavy metals indicated non-pollution status, Hg and Cd exhibited medium enrichment and moderate potential ecological risk. Especially for Cd, the related-indexes increased by 859.3%. Furthermore, the high pollution was mainly distributed nearby the regions of dense enterprises and the spilled into of water (i.e., Wangkou sluice, the Jizhou Small Lake and its causeway). This was primarily attributed to discharge of industrial wastewater and Cd-polluted ecological diversion water. These findings demonstrated the necessity of continued and targeted implementation of wetland conservation and restoration projects, identified possible contamination sources and important pollution regions that could provide insights into contamination control options and targeted management strategies for Hengshui Lake.

Download Full-text

Application of pollution assessment models in soil contaminated by heavy metals in two steel rods markets, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

GSC Advanced Research and Reviews ◽

10.30574/gscarr.2021.9.2.0099 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 025-035

Author(s):

Edori ES ◽

Iyama WA ◽

Edori OS

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Ecological Risk ◽

Risk Index ◽

Pollution Assessment ◽

Potential Ecological Risk ◽

Control Site ◽

Contamination Degree ◽

Port Harcourt ◽

The Mean ◽

Rivers State

Soil samples were collected at a depth of 0-30cm within two steel markets and a control site in Port Harcourt, Rivers State Nigeria to assess the level of heavy metals (Fe, Pb, Cu, Cd, Cr, Ni and As) in the environment. Atomic Adsorption Spectrophotometer was used to analyze the samples for heavy metals. The concentrations of all the heavy metals in the steel rods markets exceeded that of the control. The results indicated that heavy metals concentrations in the sites were in the order; Mile III > Kala > RSU. The average levels of contamination of heavy metals recorded followed the order Fe > Cr > Cu > Pb > Ni > As > Cd in Mile III, Fe > Pb > Cu > Cr > Ni > As > Cd in Kala and Fe > Cu > Pb > Cr > Ni > As > Cd in RSU (control). Mean concentrations obtained for heavy metals within the months of investigation were; 1420.931±9.155, 7.753±0.184, 8.730±0.050, 2.843±0.124, 9.428±0.122, 7.433±0.047 and 3.732±0.047 mg/Kg for Fe, Pb, Cu, Cd, Cr, Ni and As respectively at the mile III station, while the mean concentrations of heavy metals observed at the Kala station were; 1161.173±1.823, 9.425±0.054, 7.596±0.027, 1.425±0.020, 6.507±0.006, 5.455±0.033 and 1.901±0.010 mg/Kg for Fe, Pb, Cu, Cd, Cr, Ni and As respectively. The mean values of heavy metals concentrations observed at the RSU station within the period were; 892.064±1.025,5.603±0.007, 5.841±0.051, 0.173±0.005, 3.389±0.009, 2.309±0.010 and 0.706±0.006 mg/Kg for Fe, Pb, Cu, Cd, Cr, Ni and As respectively. Pollution assessment models used for assessing the anthropogenic input on the quality of the soil in the area using the control site as the basis of judgment were: contamination factor (CF), pollution load index (PLI), contamination degree (CD), modified contamination degree (mCD), potential ecological risk coefficient (Eir), potential ecological risk index (RI), Geo-accumulation index (Igeo) and anthropogenicity. These indices revealed that the steel markets were contaminated and polluted and poses ecological risks by heavy metals, even though the values obtained were still below the WHO acceptable limits. The steel rods markets need to be adequately monitored and regulated to avoid further soil contamination by heavy metals to a degree that will be dangerous to human health.

Download Full-text

Heavy Metal Loading in Surface Sediments along the Kawere Stream, Tarkwa, Ghana

Ghana Mining Journal ◽

10.4314/gm.v20i2.9 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (2) ◽

pp. 77-85

Author(s):

S. A. Ndur ◽

S. Y. Nyarko ◽

I. Quaicoe ◽

L. B. Osei

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Heavy Metal ◽

Ecological Risk ◽

Anthropogenic Activities ◽

Risk Index ◽

Sediment Quality ◽

Ecological Integrity ◽

Pollution Assessment ◽

Well Being ◽

Potential Ecological Risk

Sediment contamination by heavy metals resulting from anthropogenic activities is increasingly becoming a global concern due to the risk it poses to human well-being and ecological integrity at large. The purpose of this study was to assess the heavy metals loading in sediment along the Kawere stream. Ten sediment samples were collected, acid digested and analysed for copper (Cu), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co) and iron (Fe) using a Varian AA240FS Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS). The Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council (ANZECC) guidelines for freshwater sediment quality was used as the benchmark against which the measured metal concentrations were compared. Nemerow’s pollution and potential ecological risk indices were used to evaluate the pollution status and ecological risk levels of the heavy metals in the stream. The results obtained indicated that, except Cu which exceeded the ANZECC trigger value of 65 mg/kg at three sampling sites (K01=171.29 mg/kg, K05=170.83 mg/kg and K07=113.31 mg/kg), all other measured heavy metals concentrations were below their corresponding ANZECC values. Heavy metal pollution assessment showed that three samples (K01, K05 and K07) were slightly polluted, suggesting the likelihood of posing a health threat to the aquatic organisms and humans. Calculated Ecological Risk Index (RI) ranged from 3.229 to 19.750 (RI < 150), representing a low ecological risk. As such, the metals, Cu, Ni, Cd, Pb, Cr, and Zn pose a low ecological risk to the aquatic ecosystem. Although the ecological risk is low based on the current results, constant monitoring of the stream quality is recommended due to the increasing human activities along the stream as well as the sediments ability to accumulate and remobilise heavy metals back into the water column and possibly transferring them through the food chain. Keywords: Heavy Metals, Sediment, Ecological Risk Assessment, Pollution, Stream

Download Full-text

Assessment of Heavy Metal Pollution Levels in Sediments and of Ecological Risk by Quality Indices, Applying a Case Study: The Lower Danube River, Romania

Water ◽

10.3390/w13131801 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (13) ◽

pp. 1801

Author(s):

Valentina Andreea Calmuc ◽

Madalina Calmuc ◽

Maxim Arseni ◽

Catalina Maria Topa ◽

Mihaela Timofti ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Heavy Metal ◽

Ecological Risk ◽

Metal Pollution ◽

Heavy Metal Pollution ◽

Surface Sediments ◽

Risk Index ◽

Potential Ecological Risk ◽

Danube River ◽

Pollution Indices

It is a well–known fact that heavy metal pollution in sediments causes serious problems not only in the Danube basin, but also in the large and small adjacent river streams. A suitable method for assessing the level of heavy metals and their toxicity in sediments is the calculation of pollution indices. The present research aims to assess heavy metal pollution in the Lower Danube surface sediments collected along the Danube course (between 180 and 60 km) up to the point where the Danube River flows into the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve (a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization – UNESCO, protected area). In addition, this monitored area is one of the largest European hydrographic basins. Five heavy metals (Cd, Ni, Zn, Pb, Cu) were analyzed in two different seasons, i.e., the autumn of 2018 and the spring of 2019, using the Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP– MS) technique. Our assessment of heavy metal pollution revealed two correlated aspects: 1. a determination of the potential risks of heavy metals in sediments by calculating the Potential Ecological Risk Index (RI), and 2. an evaluation of the influence of anthropogenic activities on the level of heavy metal contamination in the surface sediments, using three specific pollution indices, namely, the Geo–Accumulation Index (Igeo), the Contamination Factor (CF), and the Pollution Load Index (PLI). The results of this pioneering research activity in the region highlighted the presence of moderate metal (Ni and Cd) pollution and a low potential ecological risk for the aquatic environment.

Download Full-text

Migration and transformation of heavy metals during the microwave-assisted thermal hydrolysis of sewage sludge

Water Science & Technology ◽

10.2166/wst.2021.272 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Chunsheng Qiu ◽

Jinxin Zheng ◽

Chenchen Wang ◽

Bingbing Wang ◽

Nannan Liu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Sewage Sludge ◽

Ecological Risk ◽

Risk Index ◽

Oxygen Demand ◽

Microwave Treatment ◽

Potential Ecological Risk ◽

Ammonium Nitrogen ◽

Thermal Hydrolysis ◽

Microwave Assisted

Abstract The migration, transformation and ecological risk of heavy metals (Cr, As, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb) in the sewage sludge during the microwave-assisted thermal hydrolysis process were investigated under different temperatures (80 °C, 100 °C, 120 °C, 140 °C, and 160 °C). The potential relationship between the bio-availability of heavy metals and the variables of microwave treatment, including pH, ammonium-nitrogen, soluble chemical oxygen demand, pH, soluble protein, soluble polysaccharide and volatile solid, was also explored. The results showed that the migration of heavy metals between solid-liquid phase mainly depended on the temperature. The percentage of all heavy metals (except Cu) in mobile (acid-soluble/exchangeable and reducible) forms decreased after microwave-assisted thermal hydrolysis treatment. The solubilization of compounds with C = O and O-H accompanied with the generation of organic and inorganic metal halides were also observed in the treated sludge through fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis. NH4+-N showed the highest negative correlation to the bio-availability of most heavy metals (except Cu and Cr) with coefficients (absolute value) over 0.87 (P < 0.05). VS showed a positive correlation to the bio-availability of most heavy metals (except Cu). The total potential ecological risk index (RI) decreased by 46.65% after microwave treatment at 160 °C.

Download Full-text

Distribution and Contamination Acessment of Heavy Metals in Sediments of Harbin Section of Songhua River, China

Advanced Materials Research ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.955-959.2280 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 955-959 ◽

pp. 2280-2284

Author(s):

Kai Yue Gong ◽

Pei Shi Qi ◽

Yun Zhi Liu

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Ecological Risk ◽

Risk Index ◽

Potential Ecological Risk ◽

Risk Level ◽

Index Method ◽

Songhua River ◽

Ecological Risk Index ◽

Risk Levels ◽

Accumulation Index

In this study, the distribution and enrichment characters of heavy metals were explored. And the potential ecological risk levels of heavy metals were evaluated by geo-accumulation index method and potential ecological risk index method. The concentrations of heavy metals in sediments of Harbin section of Songhua River are: Zn>Pb>Cr>Cu>Ni>Cd. The enrichment degree of Zn is the highest, while Cd is the lowest. The potential ecological risk indexes of heavy metals in the sediments of section of Songhua River in Harbin are: Cd>Pb>Cu>Zn>Ni>Cr. The main heavy metals pollution is Cd, which has low content but considerable potential ecological risk and contributes most to RI. The ecological risk level of heavy metals in the sediments of the section of Songhua River in Harbin is moderate.

Download Full-text

Contamination status and ecological risk of heavy metals in surface sediment of Kelantan River and its nearshore area, Malaysia

Water Science & Technology Water Supply ◽

10.2166/ws.2019.138 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

pp. 103-117

Author(s):

Nagaiah Pooveneswary ◽

Ahmad Farid Bin Abu Bakar ◽

Bong Chui Wei ◽

Choon Weng Lee ◽

Wang Ai Jun ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Ecological Risk ◽

Surface Sediment ◽

Inductively Coupled Plasma ◽

Risk Index ◽

Potential Ecological Risk ◽

Pollution Load Index ◽

Emission Spectrometry ◽

Nearshore Area ◽

Significant Enrichment

Abstract A study on contamination status and ecological risk of heavy metals in surface sediment at selected sites on Kelantan River and its nearshore area was carried out. Ten samples along Kelantan River and 25 samples from the nearshore were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) to determine heavy metal concentrations. Sediment samples were also analyzed for particle size compositions, total organic matter and pH content. The average concentrations for As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn were 7.38, 1.31, 17.71, 11.40, 507.15, 5.97, 22.61, 32.95 mg/kg for riverine and 14.14, 4.59, 29.79, 14.07, 389.96, 9.65, 62.21, 41.04 mg/kg for nearshore samples respectively. The potential ecological risk index showed stations Bekok, Manek Urai, and RH under considerable risk followed by station Pasir Mas under moderate risk. The pollution load index classified four nearshore sites (KW10, KW17, KW18, KW37) as polluted. The geo-accumulation index (Igeo) categorized moderate contamination for Cd and Pb. The enrichment factor (EF) along the river categorized extremely high enrichment for Cd, and significant enrichment for As, Pb and Mn while Pb and As were under very high and significant enrichment in nearshore areas. Pb, Cu, Zn, As, Ni and Cr showed significant correlations with each other.

Download Full-text

Geochemistry pollution status and ecotoxicological risk assessment of heavy metals in the Pahang River sediment after the high magnitude of flood event

Hydrology Research ◽

10.2166/nh.2020.122 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

K. Y. Lim ◽

N. A. Zakaria ◽

K. Y. Foo

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Ecological Risk ◽

River Sediment ◽

Risk Index ◽

River Sediments ◽

Sediment Quality ◽

Contamination Factor ◽

Potential Ecological Risk ◽

Flood Event ◽

Pollution Status

Abstract The present work is aimed at assessing the aftermath effects of the 2014 flood tragedy on the distribution, pollution status and ecological risks of the heavy metals deposited in the surface river sediment. A series of environmental pollution indexes, specifically the enrichment factor (EF), geo-accumulation index (Igeo), contamination factor (CF), modified degree of contamination (mCd), pollution load index (PLI), potential ecological risk index (PERI) and sediment quality guidelines (SQGs) have been adopted. Results revealed that the freshly deposited sediments collected soon after the flood event were dominated by Cu, Fe, Pb, Ni, Zn, Cr and Cd, with the average concentrations of 38.74, 16,892, 17.71, 4.65, 29.22, 42.36 and 0.29 mg/kg, respectively. According to the heavy metal pollution indexes, Pahang River sediments were moderately to severely contaminated with Pb, Ni, Cu, Zn and Cr, while Cd with the highest risk of 91.09 was the predominant element that illustrated an aesthetic ecological risk to the water body after the tragic flood event. The findings highlighted a critical deterioration of the heavy metals content, driven by the catastrophic flood event, which has drastically altered their geochemical cycles, sedimentary pollution status and biochemical balance of the river's environment.

Download Full-text

Heavy Metals Distribution, Sources, and Ecological Risk Assessment in Huixian Wetland, South China

Water ◽

10.3390/w12020431 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 431

Author(s):

Liangliang Huang ◽

Saeed Rad ◽

Li Xu ◽

Liangying Gui ◽

Xiaohong Song ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Risk Assessment ◽

Ecological Risk ◽

South China ◽

Ecological Risk Assessment ◽

Risk Index ◽

Pollution Index ◽

Principal Component ◽

Potential Ecological Risk ◽

Anthropogenic Sources

This research has focused on the source identification, concentration, and ecological risk assessment of eight heavy metals in the largest karst wetland (Huixian) of south China. Numerous samples from superficial soil and sediment within ten representative landuse types were collected and examined, and the results were analyzed using multiple methods. Single pollution index (Pi) results were underpinned by the Geoaccumulation index (Igeo) method, in which Cd was observed as the priority pollutant with the highest contamination degree in this area. As for the most polluted landuse type, via applying Nemerow’s synthetical contamination index (PN) and Potential ecological risk index (RI), the river and rape field posed the highest ecological risks, while moderate for the rest. To quantify the drivers of the contaminants, a principal component analysis (PCA) was carried out and weathering of the watershed’s parent carbonate rocks was found to be the main possible origin, followed by anthropogenic sources induced by agricultural fertilizer. Considering the impacts of these potentially toxic elements on public health, the results of this study are essential to take preventive actions for environmental protection and sustainable development in the region.

Download Full-text

Characteristics of Heavy Metals and Pb Isotopic Composition in Sediments Collected from the Tributaries in Three Gorges Reservoir, China

The Scientific World JOURNAL ◽

10.1155/2014/685834 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Bo Gao ◽

Huaidong Zhou ◽

Yong Huang ◽

Yuchun Wang ◽

Jijun Gao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Ecological Risk ◽

Three Gorges Reservoir ◽

Risk Index ◽

Potential Ecological Risk ◽

Smelting Process ◽

Isotopic Ratios ◽

Three Gorges ◽

Anthropogenic Inputs ◽

Local Background

The concentrations, distribution, accumulation, and potential ecological risk of heavy metals (Cr, Cu, Zn, Ni, As, Pb, Cd, and Hg) in sediments from the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) tributaries were determined and studied. Pb isotopic compositions in sediments were also measured to effectively identify the potential Pb sources. The results showed that the average concentrations of heavy metals in sediment of TGR tributaries were higher than the local background values of soils and sediments in China. The assessment by Geoaccumulation Index indicated that Cu, Ni, and Hg were at the “slightly polluted” level and Cd was ranked as the “moderately polluted” level in tributary sediments of TGR. The assessment by Potential Ecological Risk Index showed that Hg and Cd were the predominant elements in tributary sediments in TGR. The Pb isotopic ratios in sediments varied from 1.171 to 1.202 for206Pb/207Pb and from 2.459 to 2.482 for208Pb/207Pb in TGR. All Pb isotopic ratios in sediments were similar to those from coal combustion, lead ores (the mining activities and smelting process), and cement material, indicating that these anthropogenic inputs may be the main sources for Pb pollution in sediments of TGR tributaries.

Download Full-text

Evaluation of Ecological Risk on Soil Heavy Metals Pollution of Qingyuan

Advanced Materials Research ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.610-613.928 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 610-613 ◽

pp. 928-931 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Hui Min Zhang ◽

Hui Zhang ◽

Ai Min Song ◽

Jian Qiao Qin ◽

Ming Wei Song

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Ecological Risk ◽

Risk Index ◽

Potential Ecological Risk ◽

Average Concentration ◽

Single Element ◽

Index Method ◽

Ecological Risk Index ◽

Heavy Metals Pollution

This paper was seleced Qingyuan as a case study, in order to analyze Hg, As, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, Ni, Cr concentrations of the soil samples. And used the Hakanson potential ecological risk index method to assess the potential ecological risks of concentrations of heavy metals in soil. The results shows that the average concentration of Hg, As, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, Ni, Cr in soil is 6.45, 0.26, 20.25, 119.11, 181.67, 189.22, 0.27, 32.92, 201.35 mg•kg-1 respectively. The rank by severity of ecological risk as Hg > Cu > Pb > As > Cr > Cd > Ni > Zn, based on their single-element indexes. Heavy metals in several samples of the soil have posed a serious threat on the ecosystem.

Download Full-text