Abstract
This study concerns the distribution and potential sources of elevated heavy metal concentrations (Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, As) in surface sediments of the Dongzhai Harbor, Hainan Island,a national important mangrove ecosystem protection area.It was found that the pollution of As may occur occasional biological effect by numerical Sediment Quality Guidelines. Further, Geoaccumulation indices (Igeo) suggest there are serious pollution levels of As at all five stations. Spatial distribution of ecotoxicological index and pollution load index suggested that most of the surface sediments have a 9% probability of being toxic and the potential ecological risk zone appear in northern and southern of Dongzhai Harbor. Correlation analysis, principal component analysis, and cluster analysis showed that these metals primarily originate from natural sources. As and Pb resulted primarily from aquaculture, and combustion of gasoline and diesel fuel by ships. The present study provides a baseline record of heavy metals in mangrove surface sediments on the Dongzhai Harbor, and provide a useful aid for sustainable marine management in this region.
Highlights
Heavy metal contamination in aquatic environment has drawn particular attentions due to their toxicity, persistence and biological accumulation (Jiang et al, 2012)
The data indicated that Zn was maximally accumulated in the sediments whereas Cd get least accumulation
The metal concentrations were compared to Primary Marine Sediment Quality criteria (GB 18668-2002) by State Environmental Protection Administration of China (SEPA, 2002)
Summary
Heavy metal contamination in aquatic environment has drawn particular attentions due to their toxicity, persistence and biological accumulation (Jiang et al, 2012). The Mangrove ecosystems are unique coastal estuarine systems confined to the tropical and subtropical regions (Bayen, 2012). Mangrove of Dongzhai Harbor in Hainan is a national important mangrove ecosystem protection area. In this region, there are lots of works about heavy metal distribution. No detailed study has so far been conducted especially on ecological risk assessment for heavy metals contamination in depositional environment. The present investigation aimed to study the levels of metals (Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, As) in sediment samples of Dongzhai Harbor, primarily to generate data on evaluate the degree of contamination and potential ecological risk and offer some theoretical significance and practical value for mangrove ecosystem protection
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