Multivariate statistical analysis of potentially toxic elements in the sediments of Quanzhou Bay, China: Spatial relationships, ecological toxicity and sources identification

Abstract

In this paper, the spatial distribution, pollution degree, ecological toxicity and possible sources of seven potentially toxic elements (PTEs) collected from the surface sediments of Quanzhou Bay (QZB) were analyzed by obtaining concentration measurements. The results indicated that the areas with high Cu, Pb, Zn and Hg concentrations were mainly located in the Luoyang River estuary, while the areas with high contents of Cd and As appeared in the Luoyang River estuary area and in the southern part of QZB, respectively. The contamination indices showed that the Cd pollution degree was slight to serious, while other elements were slightly enriched. The calculation results of the potential ecological risk index (RI) and toxic risk index (TRI) indicated that Cd was the main element posing ecological risk among the PTEs of sediments in QZB, followed by Hg. Moreover, in approximately 30% of the surveyed sites, PTEs exhibited low toxicity to aquatic ecosystems. Finally, the self-organizing map (SOM) and positive matrix factorization (PMF) model were used to determine the PTEs sources. Natural sources, industrial emissions, and the combustion of fossil fuels were three main sources for PTEs in the surface sediments of QZB. This study provides a reference for assessing sediment pollution and managing marine pollution in QZB.