Distribution, Ecological Risk, and Source Identification of Heavy Metal(loid)s in Sediments of a Headwater of Beijiang River Affected by Mining in Southern China
In this study, the contents of eight heavy metal(loid)s (As, Pb, Zn, Cd, Cr, Cu, Sb and Tl) in 50 sediment samples from a headwater of Beijiang River were studied to understand their pollution, ecological risk and potential sources. Evaluation indexes including sediment quality guidelines (SDGs), en...
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MDPI AG
2024-01-01
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| Series: | Toxics |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/12/2/117 |
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| author | Fei Luo Fawang Zhang Wenting Zhang Qibo Huang Xing Tang |
| author_facet | Fei Luo Fawang Zhang Wenting Zhang Qibo Huang Xing Tang |
| author_sort | Fei Luo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In this study, the contents of eight heavy metal(loid)s (As, Pb, Zn, Cd, Cr, Cu, Sb and Tl) in 50 sediment samples from a headwater of Beijiang River were studied to understand their pollution, ecological risk and potential sources. Evaluation indexes including sediment quality guidelines (SDGs), enrichment factor (EF), geo-accumulation index (<i>I<sub>geo</sub></i>), risk assessment code (RAC) and bioavailable metal index (BMI) were used to evaluate the heavy metal(loid)s pollution and ecological risk in the sediments. Pearson’s correlation analysis and principal component analysis were used to identify the sources of heavy metal(loid)s. The results showed that the average concentration of heavy metal(loid)s obviously exceeded the background values, except Cr. Metal(loid)s speciation analysis indicated that Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn were dominated by non-residual fractions, which presented higher bioavailability. The S content in sediments could significantly influence the geochemical fractions of heavy metal(loid)s. As was expected, it had the most adverse biological effect to local aquatic organism, followed by Pb. The EF results demonstrated that As was the most enriched, while Cr showed no enrichment in the sediments. The assessment of <i>I<sub>geo</sub></i> suggested that Cd and As were the most serious threats to the river system, while Cr showed almost no contamination in the sediments. Heavy metal(loid)s in sediments in the mining- and smelting-affected area showed higher bioavailability. According to the results of the above research, the mining activities caused heavier heavy metal(loid)s pollution in the river sediment. Three potential sources of heavy metal(loid)s in sediment were distinguished based on the Pearson’s correlation analysis and PCA, of which Cd, Pb, As, Zn, Sb and Cu were mainly derived from mining activities, Cr was mainly derived from natural sources, Tl was mainly derived from smelting activities. |
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| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T22:12:21Z |
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| series | Toxics |
| spelling | doaj.art-b2e2d4e916154e57992b0441c5442f662024-02-23T15:36:22ZengMDPI AGToxics2305-63042024-01-0112211710.3390/toxics12020117Distribution, Ecological Risk, and Source Identification of Heavy Metal(loid)s in Sediments of a Headwater of Beijiang River Affected by Mining in Southern ChinaFei Luo0Fawang Zhang1Wenting Zhang2Qibo Huang3Xing Tang4Institute of Karst Geology, CAGS/Key Laboratory of Karst Dynamics, MNR&GZAR/International Research Center on Karst under the Auspices of UNESCO, Guilin 541004, ChinaCenter for Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology Survey, China Geological Survey, Baoding 071051, ChinaRegional Geological Survey of Guangxi, Guilin 541003, ChinaInstitute of Karst Geology, CAGS/Key Laboratory of Karst Dynamics, MNR&GZAR/International Research Center on Karst under the Auspices of UNESCO, Guilin 541004, ChinaHunan Geological Testing Institute, Changsha 410007, ChinaIn this study, the contents of eight heavy metal(loid)s (As, Pb, Zn, Cd, Cr, Cu, Sb and Tl) in 50 sediment samples from a headwater of Beijiang River were studied to understand their pollution, ecological risk and potential sources. Evaluation indexes including sediment quality guidelines (SDGs), enrichment factor (EF), geo-accumulation index (<i>I<sub>geo</sub></i>), risk assessment code (RAC) and bioavailable metal index (BMI) were used to evaluate the heavy metal(loid)s pollution and ecological risk in the sediments. Pearson’s correlation analysis and principal component analysis were used to identify the sources of heavy metal(loid)s. The results showed that the average concentration of heavy metal(loid)s obviously exceeded the background values, except Cr. Metal(loid)s speciation analysis indicated that Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn were dominated by non-residual fractions, which presented higher bioavailability. The S content in sediments could significantly influence the geochemical fractions of heavy metal(loid)s. As was expected, it had the most adverse biological effect to local aquatic organism, followed by Pb. The EF results demonstrated that As was the most enriched, while Cr showed no enrichment in the sediments. The assessment of <i>I<sub>geo</sub></i> suggested that Cd and As were the most serious threats to the river system, while Cr showed almost no contamination in the sediments. Heavy metal(loid)s in sediments in the mining- and smelting-affected area showed higher bioavailability. According to the results of the above research, the mining activities caused heavier heavy metal(loid)s pollution in the river sediment. Three potential sources of heavy metal(loid)s in sediment were distinguished based on the Pearson’s correlation analysis and PCA, of which Cd, Pb, As, Zn, Sb and Cu were mainly derived from mining activities, Cr was mainly derived from natural sources, Tl was mainly derived from smelting activities.https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/12/2/117heavy metal(loid)ssedimentsdistributionecological risksource analysismining activities |
| spellingShingle | Fei Luo Fawang Zhang Wenting Zhang Qibo Huang Xing Tang Distribution, Ecological Risk, and Source Identification of Heavy Metal(loid)s in Sediments of a Headwater of Beijiang River Affected by Mining in Southern China Toxics heavy metal(loid)s sediments distribution ecological risk source analysis mining activities |
| title | Distribution, Ecological Risk, and Source Identification of Heavy Metal(loid)s in Sediments of a Headwater of Beijiang River Affected by Mining in Southern China |
| title_full | Distribution, Ecological Risk, and Source Identification of Heavy Metal(loid)s in Sediments of a Headwater of Beijiang River Affected by Mining in Southern China |
| title_fullStr | Distribution, Ecological Risk, and Source Identification of Heavy Metal(loid)s in Sediments of a Headwater of Beijiang River Affected by Mining in Southern China |
| title_full_unstemmed | Distribution, Ecological Risk, and Source Identification of Heavy Metal(loid)s in Sediments of a Headwater of Beijiang River Affected by Mining in Southern China |
| title_short | Distribution, Ecological Risk, and Source Identification of Heavy Metal(loid)s in Sediments of a Headwater of Beijiang River Affected by Mining in Southern China |
| title_sort | distribution ecological risk and source identification of heavy metal loid s in sediments of a headwater of beijiang river affected by mining in southern china |
| topic | heavy metal(loid)s sediments distribution ecological risk source analysis mining activities |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/12/2/117 |
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