Enrichment, Accumulation and Ecological Risk Evaluation of Cadmium in the Surface Sediments of Jen-GenRiver Estuary, Taiwan

Abstract

Major objectives of this study are to evaluation the enrichment, accumulation, and potential ecological risk of cadmium (Cd) in the sediments of Jen-Gen River estuary, Taiwan. Eleven sampling locations were installed near the mouth of Jen-Gen River to collect sediment samples for analyzing Cd. Results of laboratory analyses show that contents of Cd in the sediments are between 0.20 and 4.65 mg/kg with an average of 1.26±1.23 mg/kg. The spatial distribution of Cd reveals that the Cd concentration is relatively high in front of the river mouth. This indicates that upstream industrial and municipal wastewater discharges along the river bank are major sources of pollution. Results from the enrichment factor analysis imply that the sediments can be characterized as minor to severe degree of Cd enrichment. Results of geo-accumulation index analysis indicate that the sediments can be characterized as none to strong degree of Cd accumulation. Results of potential ecological risk index indicate that the sediments at Jen-Gen River estuary have high ecological potential risk.