Pollution characteristics, distribution and risk level of heavy metals in sediments of the Yangtze River estuary
Xingpo Liu,
Chen Ding,
Hailong Qin,
Yiqing Zhang,
Yunqi Jiang,
Zhiheng Li,
Jiangshuai Wu,
Haifeng Cheng
Affiliations
Xingpo Liu
College of Ocean Science and Engineering, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai, 201306, PR China; Shanghai Estuarine & Coastal Science Research Center, Shanghai, 201201, PR China; Key Laboratory of Estuarine & Coastal Engineering of Ministry of Transport, Shanghai, 201201, PR China; International Joint Research Center for Persistent Toxic Substances (IJRCPTS), Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai, 201306, PR China; Corresponding author. College of Ocean Science and Engineering, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai, 201306, PR China.
Chen Ding
College of Ocean Science and Engineering, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai, 201306, PR China
Hailong Qin
College of Ocean Science and Engineering, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai, 201306, PR China
Yiqing Zhang
College of Ocean Science and Engineering, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai, 201306, PR China
Yunqi Jiang
College of Ocean Science and Engineering, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai, 201306, PR China
Zhiheng Li
College of Ocean Science and Engineering, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai, 201306, PR China
Jiangshuai Wu
College of Ocean Science and Engineering, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai, 201306, PR China
Haifeng Cheng
Shanghai Estuarine & Coastal Science Research Center, Shanghai, 201201, PR China; Key Laboratory of Estuarine & Coastal Engineering of Ministry of Transport, Shanghai, 201201, PR China
Pollution characteristics, distribution, risk and sources of 7 heavy metals in sediments of Yangtze River Estuary were investigated. Total concentration ranges of As, Cr, Cu, Cd, Pb, Zn and Ni were [0, 16.5], [1.48, 51.3], [2.66, 318], [0, 0.99], [35.6, 992], [8, 91.3] and [1.88, 108] mg/kg, respectively. Based on the potential ecological risk index and Geoaccumulation index, it was determined that Pb is the most polluted heavy metal. According to class I standard of “Marine sediment quality” of China, mean baseline levels multiples were Pb (8.34) > Cu (0.57) > Cr (0.37) > Zn (0.355) > Ni (0.352) > As (0.28) > Cd (0.00). The study also found the heavy metal content of Pb is the most serious, but most of the Pb content comes from the residual state, which has minimal impact on the environment. The East Nanhui Shoal was identified as the most polluted sub-area in terms of Pb pollution, followed by other specific locations. Considering the pollution level and transport costs, the study concluded that dredge soils of the Yangtze River Estuary Deepwater Channel are not suitable for the restoration of East Hengsha Shoal.
