Abstract
Coastal waters are polluted by heavy metals to varying degrees, posing potential risks to marine ecology and human health. In May 2006, the pollution levels, sources, and ecological risks of heavy metals (Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Hg, and As) in seawater, surface sediments, and living organisms were studied in Jiuzhen Bay in Fujian, China. This study identified Hg (0.26–0.72 µg/L) and As (20.3–31.5 µg/L) pollution in the seawater of Jiuzhen Bay. In sediments, heavy Pb pollution (946 µg/g dw) was only detected at one station at a level posing very serious potential risk, while Hg pollution (0.052–0.087 µg/g dw) was observed at three stations at a level posing serious potential risk. No heavy metal pollution was detected in sediments at other stations. The concentrations of five heavy metals (Cu, Zn, As, Cd, and Pb) exceeded the corresponding National Quality Standards for oysters, indicating heavy pollution, based on an ecological risk assessment. In clams, two heavy metals (Pb and As) exceeded the standards, indicating light pollution, based on an ecological risk assessment. No heavy metal pollution was found in fish or shrimps. The heavy metals in the seawater and sediments of Jiuzhen Bay are mainly derived from the river discharges of Luxi and Wujiang Rivers although sewage discharge along the coast of Jiuzhen Bay is another source of heavy metal pollution at some stations. Given the pollution of Pb, Hg, and As in seawater and sediments at some stations within the bay, the potential risks of Pb, Hg, and As in living organisms to both the marine ecology and human health deserve increased attention.
Highlights
Over the past 40 years, because of rapid industrialization and economic development in China, the problem of soil contamination by heavy metals has become increasingly serious [1], with large amounts of these soil pollutants being discharged into coastal and estuarine environments by rivers and other pathways [2, 3]
Metal-aquo chemistry is the main factor affecting the removal and transformation of heavy metals, sediment type has a major effect on transport and accumulation of heavy metals. erefore, the spatial patterns of heavy metals are Journal of Chemistry closely related to sediment types [9]. e spatial distributions of heavy metals are often consistent with those of fine-grained sediments [10]
E data provided here will assist the local government to monitor the change in the heavy metal pollution status of this area and implement targeted control measures
Summary
Over the past 40 years, because of rapid industrialization and economic development in China, the problem of soil contamination by heavy metals has become increasingly serious [1], with large amounts of these soil pollutants being discharged into coastal and estuarine environments by rivers and other pathways [2, 3]. Erefore, marine sediments are considered an important sink of heavy metals, especially in coastal areas. Considering the pollution of heavy metals in seawater and sediments in coastal areas, the risk of heavy metal pollution in seafood deserves greater attention. Jiuzhen Bay is located on the southern coast of Fujian, between Gulei and Liu’ao Peninsulas. Along the coast of Jiuzhen Bay, there are multiple industries, such as wind power generation, shipbuilding, placer mining, seafood processing, and shipping. E data provided here will assist the local government to monitor the change in the heavy metal pollution status of this area and implement targeted control measures
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
