Fractionation and Contamination Assessment of Metal Elements in the Surface Sediments of Yundang Lagoon in Xiamen

Abstract

Total concentrations of 15 metal elements in the surface sediments of Yundang Lagoon in Xiamen were determined using ICP-MS. The fractions were extracted by a modified BCR method. The results indicated that in different areas of Yundang Lagoon, the order of the concentrations of Cd, Cu, Sr, Pb, Zn and U was:outer lagoon > ditch > inner lagoon, the order for Cr, Co, Ni, V, Fe, Li, Rb and Mn was:inner lake > outer lake > ditch. Cu, Zn and Pb were mainly in the reducible phase; Cd was mainly in the acid soluble-extractable and reducible phases; Co, Ni, U, Fe and Mn were mainly in the reducible and residual phases; Li, V, Cr, Rb and Ba were dominated by residual phase. The potential ecological risk of metal elements suggested that V, Cr, Co, Ni, Zn, Cu, Cd and Pb were at a low potential ecological risk level. The results of ratio of secondary phase to primary phase (RSP) assessment indicated that Cu, Cd and Zn showed high pollution level; Pb showed moderate pollution level; Co, Mn, Sr and U were in a low polluted condition; Ni, Fe, Cr, V, Li, Ba and Rb showed no pollution. In general, Yundang Lagoon was in a low potential ecological risk.