Risk assessment of trace metal(loid) pollution in surface water of industrial areas along the Huangpu River and Yangtze River Estuary in Shanghai, China

Abstract

Water pollution with trace metal(loid)s (TMs) caused by anthropogenic activities is of great concern, especially in industrial areas. TM concentrations in surface water of industrial areas along the Huangpu River (HR) and Yangtze River Estuary (YRE) in Shanghai, China were investigated. The rankings of average TM concentrations in the HR and YRE were as follows: Zn > Cu > Cd > Cr > Pb > As > Hg and Zn > Cu > Cr > Cd > As > Pb > Hg, respectively. The pollution of the HR was more serious than that of the YRE, and both areas were polluted by Cd. Spearman correlation matrix results indicated that Cu, Pb, Cd, As, and Zn in the HR were correlated positively in group, but TMs were mainly controlled by physicochemical parameters in the YRE. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that the possible origins of TMs in studied areas were affected by industrial and agricultural activities. Results of Heavy Metal Evaluation Index (HEI), Degree of Contamination (Cd), and Nemerow Index (Pn) showed that some sampling sites of the HR had high pollution risk. Human health risk assessment indicated high risks of Cd and As in studied areas. Overall, the problem of TM contamination in the waters of Shanghai industrial areas should be addressed, controlled, and managed efficiently for regional sustainability and human well-being.