Evaluation of the Status of Copper Contamination of Surface Sediments of Jen-Gen River Estuary, Taiwan

Abstract

Major objectives of this study are to evaluation the enrichment, accumulation, and potential biological effects of copper (Cu) in the surface 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 Cu. Results of laboratory analyses show that concentrations of Cu in the sediments are between 67 and 278 mg/kg with an average of 181±61 mg/kg. The spatial distribution of Cu reveals that the Cu concentration is relatively high in the boundary of the river estuary. This indicates that upstream industrial and municipal wastewater discharges along the river bank are major sources of pollution. Results from the enrichment factor (EF) analysis imply that the sediments can be characterized as minor to moderately severe degree of Cu enrichment. Results of geo-accumulation index (Igeo) analysis indicate that the sediments can be characterized as none to moderate degree of Cu accumulation. Base on the comparison with sediment quality guidelines (SQGs), the concentrations of Cu in Jen-Gen River mouth sediments may cause acute biological damage.