Assessment of metal contamination in water and sediments from major rivers in South Korea from 2008 to 2015

Abstract

This study is the first report to evaluate (8 years data) the contamination degree and distribution characteristics of metals in the surface water and sediments of four Korean rivers (Nakdong, Yeongsan, Geum, and Han). Eight years of data were evaluated, and metal concentrations in the river water were found to be below permissible limits but high enough to cause detrimental effects (under chronic exposure) to aquatic organisms. The analysis of metals in the river sediments showed the following trend: Zn > Cu > Cd > Pb > Ni > As > Cr > Hg. The concentrations of metals in sediments (especially in the Geum and Han rivers) were above the permissible limits reported by international agencies. Concentrations of Cu, Ni, and Zn were high enough to pose risks to aquatic communities. In sediments, metals pollution was also evaluated using different indices, such as enrichment factor (EF), geoaccumulation index (Igeo), contamination factor (CF), degree of contamination (Cd), modified degree of contamination (mCd), and pollution load index (PLI). The CF, EF, and Igeo indices demonstrated that most of the river sediment samples were moderately to heavily contaminated by Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn. The PLI values were above one in the Geum and Han river sediments, which indicated polluted conditions. Similarly, Cd indicated a considerable to very high degree of contamination, while mCd indicated a low to moderate degree of contamination in all four river sediments. Finally, it was found that the extent of metals pollution in the Korean rivers reached a critical condition, which could be detrimental to the biota of the rivers, as well as to humans in the long term.