Analysis and potential ecological risk assessment of heavy metals in surface sediments of the freshwater ecosystem in Zhenjiang City, China

Abstract

Article highlights Five heavy metals concentrations displayed a wide seasonal and spatial variation. The mean concentration was Cr ˃ Zn ˃ Cu ˃ Pb ˃ Cd in winter and Zn ˃ Cu ˃ Cr ˃ Pb ˃ Cd in summer. The average CF value was Cd ˃ Cr ˃ Pb ˃ Cu ˃ Zn in winter and Cd ˃ Cu ˃ Zn ˃ Pb ˃ Cr in summer, respectively. The average EF value was Cd, followed by Cu, Pb, Cr, and Zn in winter and Cd, Zn, Cu, Pb, and Cr in summer, from highest to lowest, respectively. Contamination caused by Cd was more severe than for other heavy metals in both winter and summer. Cd was the major contributor to the potential ecological risk in the study region. Multivariate statistical analyses results showed Cd and Cr was more distinct from other element in winter and summer, indicate that Cd and Cr have a mixed source include both anthropogenic and lithogenic sources.

Keywords

• Heavy metals
• Surface sediments
• Lakes and rivers
• Ecological risk
• Geo-accumulation index