Abstract
This paper combines environmental science, inorganic chemistry, water quality monitoring and other disciplines to analyze and assess the heavy metals in the water bodies and sediments of the Fenghe River Basin (FRB) in Shaanxi Province, and reveal their sources. The Water Quality Index (WQI), Nemero Index (Pn), Geological Accumulation Index (I-geo) and Potential Ecological Risk Index (RI) are used to assess heavy metals in water and sediments. Pearson correlation analysis (CA), hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), principal component analysis (PCA) and positive matrix factorization (PMF) models are used to study the relationship and source of heavy metals. The results show that most of the residual heavy metals in the water are below the corresponding environmental quality standards for surface water. Most of the heavy metals in the sediment exceed the background value of the soil. The factors or sources of heavy metals in water and sediment are revealed in detail through PMF models. The main sources of pollution in the region are urban construction and transportation, the electronics industry, machinery manufacturing and tourism. In water, the average contribution rates of these four sources to heavy metals were 36.8%, 11.7%, 9.4% and 42.0%, and in sediments were 8.0%, 29.2%, 23.9% and 38.9%. Therefore, these sectors should be given sufficient attention.
Highlights
Heavy metals, as common pollutants in the water environment, are toxic, persistent and bio-accumulative (Pekey et al 2004)
The results show that most metals do not exceed national water quality standards, except for Mn, which exceeds the Class III water quality standard and Cr which is higher than the drinking water standard
The results of Water Quality Index (WQI) and Pollution Index method (Pn) show that the most serious pollution is in sampling site YRF, possibly due to direct emissions from sewage outlets
Summary
As common pollutants in the water environment, are toxic, persistent and bio-accumulative (Pekey et al 2004). Sediment is the source and ultimate receptor of heavy metals. Factors such as temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, redox potential and electrical conductivity control the release of heavy metals from sediments, causing secondary pollution to water quality (Lin & Chen 1998; Ndimele 2012; Li et al 2014a, 2014b; Ribeiro et al 2018). Comprehensive analysis of status, potential risks and sources of heavy metals in water and sediments is essential for environmental control and management
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