Notice of Retraction: Assessment of Trace Metal Pollution in Surface Sediments of a Eutrophic Lake

Abstract

Lake Xuanwu is an urban, shallow and eutrophic lake located in the north part of Nanjing city. Industrialization and economic development in the surrounding area brought in large amount of wastewater. In order to investigate the current metal contamination status in Lake Xuanwu, metal concentrations (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn) in surface sediments of the lake were analyzed. Results demonstrated metal concentrations in the surface sediments ranged from 0.04 to 0.23 mg/kg for Cd, 39.95 to 104.20 mg/kg for Cr, 17.57 to 32.78 mg/kg for Cu, 22.42 to 47.24 mg/kg for Ni, 16.30 to 39.95 mg/kg for Pb and 45.56 to 102.58 mg/kg for Zn. Most of the measured concentrations meet the freshwater sediment quality criteria of North America. However, metal enrichment factors (EF) and geoaccumulation index (Igeo) assessment indicated slight pollution of Cr and Pb in part of the lake. The results demonstrated the heavy metal contamination risk in the lake and the needs of proper control of anthropogenic discharges.