Ecological risk assessment of metals and metalloid in bottom sediments of water reservoir located in the key anthropogenic \u201chot spot\u201d area (Poland)

Malwina Tytła,Maciej Kostecki

doi:10.1007/s12665-019-8146-y

Abstract

Study was aimed to assess the potential ecological risk of nine metals (Al, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) and one metalloid (As) in bottom sediments of the Dzierżno Duże Reservoir located in the key anthropogenic “hot spot” area—Upper Silesian Industrial Region (Poland). Sediments were collected in seven sampling sites, along the main axis of a reservoir. Statistical analysis revealed a significant correlation (p < 0.05) between the potentially toxic elements, which indicated that they plausibly originate from the same source of contamination or have a similar accumulation behavior. Several indices were used to assess ecological risk associated with examined elements, i.e., Enrichment Factor, Geoaccumulation Index, Contamination Factor, Potential Ecological Risk Factor, Probable Effect Concentration, Threshold Effect Concentration, Degree of Contamination and Risk Index. The values of analyzed indices indicate that sediments are highly to extremely highly contaminated, especially by Cd, Pb, Zn, and As, which simultaneously pose the highest ecological risk. The results of Cluster Analysis (CA) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) indicate that Cd, Cr, Fe, Ni, Pb, Zn, and As in the bottom sediments are most likely of anthropogenic origin, while Mn rather from natural sources. The obtained results confirm the usefulness of different indices in assessing the ecological condition of water bodies and prove that the problem of toxic elements contamination in bottom sediments of the Dzierżno Duże Reservoir poses a serious environmental threat.

Highlights

Metals and metalloids present in the environment pose a serious threat to human health and living organisms, due to their toxicity, environmental stability, and ease of entry into food chain (Milošković et al 2013; Baran et al 2016)
Different groups of indices were successfully used to assess the levels of contamination and ecological risk of nine metals (Al, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) and one metalloid (As) in bottom sediments of the Dzierżno Duże Reservoir located in the key anthropogenic “hot spot” area
The level of contamination and ecological risk associated with the presence of toxic elements in studied sediments, were very high

Summary

Introduction

Metals and metalloids (potentially toxic elements) present in the environment pose a serious threat to human health and living organisms, due to their toxicity, environmental stability, and ease of entry into food chain (Milošković et al 2013; Baran et al 2016). The chemical composition of bottom sediments, which are an integral part of aquatic environment, is conditioned by many natural and anthropogenic factors. It results from the geological structure of the catchment,. Rzymski et al (2014) indicate a high bioaccumulation of Cd, Cr, and Cu in different bivalve species, as well as high concentrations of Cd and Pb in leaves of selected macrophyte, living in the artificial water body (Malta Reservoir, Poland). Wu et al (2014) show the moderate to very high ecological risk to humans from fish, because of elevated levels of Hg and Cd concentration in selected water reservoirs (Hongfeng and Baihua Reservoirs, China)

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