INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT OF HEAVY METAL CONTAMINATION IN SEDIMENTS FROM A COASTAL INDUSTRIAL BASIN, N. E. CHINA

Abstract

XIAOYU LI, LIJUAN LIU, YUGANG WANG, GEPING LUO, XI CHEN, XIAOLIANG YANG, BIN GAO, AND XINGYUAN HE6.1 INTRODUCTIONCoastal and estuarine areas are among the most important places for human inhabitants [1]; however, with rapid urbanization and industrialization, heavy metals are continuously carried to the estuarine and coastal sediments from upstream of tributaries [2]–[5]. Heavy metal contamination in sediment could affect the water quality and bioaccumulation of metals in aquatic organisms, resulting in potential long-term implication on human health and ecosystem [6]–[7]. In most circumstances, the major part of the anthropogenic metal load in the sea and seabed sediments has a terrestrial source, from mining and industrial developments along major rivers and estuaries [8]–[10]. The hot spots of heavy metal concentration are often near industrial plants [11]. Heavy metal emissions have been declining in some industrialized countries over the last few decades [12], [13], however, anthropogenic sources have been increasing with rapid in-dustrialization and urbanization in developing countries [14], [15]. Heavy metal contaminations in sediment could affect the water quality, the bioassimilation and bioaccumulation of metals in aquatic organisms, resulting in potential long-term affects on human health and ecosystem [16]–[19]. Quantification of the land-derived metal fluxes to the sea is therefore a key factor to ascertain at which extent those inputs can influence the natural biogeochemical processes of the elements in the marine [20], [21]. The spatial distribution of heavy metals in marine sediments is of major importance in determining the pollution history of aquatic systems [22], [23], and is basic information for identifying the possible sources of contamination and to delineate the areas where its concentration exceeds the threshold values and the strategies of site remediation [24]. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms of accumulation and geochemical distribution of heavy metals in sediments is crucial for the management of coastal environment.