Distribution and Contamination Evaluation of Lead in the Sediments of Northern Kaohsiung Harbor, Taiwan

Abstract

The distribution, enrichment, accumulation, and potential ecological risk of lead (Pb) in the surface sediments of northern Kaohsiung Harbor, Taiwan were investigated. Results showed that the Pb concentrations varied from 10.9–73.2 mg/kg with an average of 42.1±19.1 mg/kg. The spatial distribution of Pb reveals that the Pb concentration is relatively high in the river mouth region, and gradually diminishes toward the harbor entrance region. This indicates that upstream industrial and municipal wastewater discharges along the river bank are major sources of Pb pollution. Results from the enrichment factor and geo-accumulation index analyses imply that the sediments collected from the river mouth can be characterized between severe and very severe degree enrichment and between moderately strong and strong to very strong accumulation of Pb, respectively.