Abstract

The distribution characteristics of heavy metals in the columnar sediments of Zhushan Bay, Taihu Lake are studied. The Pearson correlation analysis and principal component analysis are carried out, and the pollution of heavy metals is evaluated. The highest mean concentration is found for zinc (Zn), followed by chromium(Cr), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni ), lead (Pb), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd). The content of heavy metals in estuaries and open water is significantly higher than those in aquatic-terrestrial ecotone, and pollution accumulation occurs in the deep sediments. There is a significant positive correlation between Cr, Cu, Ni and Zn, which indicates their similar sources. The geoaccumulation index (Igeo) shows that Cr has the highest value, with moderately to heavily polluted. The pollution situation of the study area is improved after the desilting project of Taihu Lake, but the potential ecological risk index (RI) is still moderate to severe, among which Cd is the single factor that contributes the most to RI.

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