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An Assessment of the Heavy Metal Contamination, Risk, and Source Identification in the Sediments from the Liangtan River, China

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  • Teng-Fei Ma

    (Water Environment Engineering Technology Innovation Center, Chongqing Academy of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, Chongqing 401336, China
    Southwest Branch of Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Chongqing 401336, China
    College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China)

  • Jin Wu

    (Water Environment Engineering Technology Innovation Center, Chongqing Academy of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, Chongqing 401336, China
    Southwest Branch of Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Chongqing 401336, China)

  • Yi-Chang Yu

    (Water Environment Engineering Technology Innovation Center, Chongqing Academy of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, Chongqing 401336, China
    Southwest Branch of Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Chongqing 401336, China)

  • Ting-Ting Chen

    (Water Environment Engineering Technology Innovation Center, Chongqing Academy of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, Chongqing 401336, China
    Southwest Branch of Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Chongqing 401336, China)

  • Yuan Yao

    (Water Environment Engineering Technology Innovation Center, Chongqing Academy of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, Chongqing 401336, China
    Southwest Branch of Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Chongqing 401336, China)

  • Wei-Ling Liao

    (Water Environment Engineering Technology Innovation Center, Chongqing Academy of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, Chongqing 401336, China
    Southwest Branch of Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Chongqing 401336, China)

  • Li Feng

    (Water Environment Engineering Technology Innovation Center, Chongqing Academy of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, Chongqing 401336, China
    Southwest Branch of Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Chongqing 401336, China)

  • Jiang Pan

    (Water Environment Engineering Technology Innovation Center, Chongqing Academy of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, Chongqing 401336, China
    Southwest Branch of Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Chongqing 401336, China)

Abstract

The contents of six heavy metals (HMs: Cr, Cu, As, Pb, Cd, and Zn) in sediments from the upper reaches of Liangtan River (LTR) were determined. The geo-accumulation index (Igeo), pollution load index (PLI), and potential ecological risk index (RI) were employed to assess the HM contamination in the sediments. Pearson’s correlation coefficient analysis (PCC), principal component analysis (PCA), and cluster analysis (CA) were used to infer the sources of HMs. The average concentrations of Cr, Cu, As, Pb, Cd, and Zn were 44.63 ± 25.36, 31.40 ± 22.56, 4.66 ± 2.07, 29.20 ± 27.73, 0.25 ± 0.06, and 68.87 ± 104.62 μg/g, respectively. The Igeo indicated that the Cd contamination level was unpolluted to moderately polluted. The mean PLI was 0.97 ± 0.53, suggesting that the sediments were unpolluted, but close to moderately contaminated. The RI values indicated that the potential environmental risk of HMs in the sediments of the LTR was low. The results of PCC, PCA, and CA suggested that the Cr, Cu, As, and Zn in the sediment may mainly originate from natural processes; Pb mainly comes from human industrial and agricultural production activities as well as natural processes; and the main source of Cd may be the production activities of the surrounding chemical enterprises and chemical fertilizer application in farmland.

Suggested Citation

  • Teng-Fei Ma & Jin Wu & Yi-Chang Yu & Ting-Ting Chen & Yuan Yao & Wei-Ling Liao & Li Feng & Jiang Pan, 2023. "An Assessment of the Heavy Metal Contamination, Risk, and Source Identification in the Sediments from the Liangtan River, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(23), pages 1-15, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:23:p:16228-:d:1286056
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Qianwen Wang & Xiaoli Huang & Yu’na Zhang, 2023. "Heavy Metals and Their Ecological Risk Assessment in Surface Sediments of the Changjiang River Estuary and Contiguous East China Sea," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-19, February.
    2. Sathinathan, P. & Parab, H.M. & Yusoff, R. & Ibrahim, S. & Vello, V. & Ngoh, G.C., 2023. "Photobioreactor design and parameters essential for algal cultivation using industrial wastewater: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
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