Abstract
Speciation variation and comprehensive risk assessment of metal(loid)s (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) were investigated in surface sediments from the intertidal zones of the Yellow River Delta, China. Results showed that only the concentrations of As, Cd and Pb were significantly different between April and September (p < 0.01). In April, the residual fraction (F4) was predominant for As, Cr, Cu, Ni and Zn. However, the exchangeable and carbonate-associated fraction (F1) was dominant for Cd averaging 49.14% indicating a high environmental risk. In September, the F4 fraction was predominant and the F1 fraction was very low for most metal(loid)s except Cd and Mn. The geo-accumulation index (Igeo), the F1 fraction and potential ecological risk index (PERI) of most metal(loid)s were relatively low in surface sediments for both seasons. But Pb, As and Ni were between the threshold effect level (TEL)and the probable effect level (PEL) for 66.67%, 83.33% and 91.67% in April and As and Ni were between TEL and PEL for 41.67% and 91.67%, which indicated that the concentration of them was likely to occasionally exhibit adverse effects on the ecosystem. Although the Igeo, the F1 fraction or PERI of Cd in both seasons was higher at some sites, the results of sediment quality guidelines (SQGs) indicated that the biological effects of Cd were rarely observed in the studied area.
Highlights
Heavy metals and As are one of the serious pollutants in the natural environment due to their toxicity, abundance and persistence [1]
Two empirical sediment quality guidelines (SQGs) which were the effect range-low (ERL)/effect range-median (ERM) and the threshold effect level (TEL)/probable effect level (PEL) were applied to evaluate the potential risk of the ecosystem
Seasonal and spatial variations of heavy metals and As were shown in Figure 2, which were in the surface sediments of the intertidal zones
Summary
Heavy metals and As are one of the serious pollutants in the natural environment due to their toxicity, abundance and persistence [1]. The environmental risk assessment of heavy metal or As pollution is of great significance to environment and human health. Few studies have systematically investigated the spatial distribution and seasonal variation of heavy metals and As in sediments of the intertidal zones. There have been no studies to comprehensively assess the environmental risk of heavy metal or As pollution in sediments from the intertidal zones of the Yellow River Delta. The present study aims: (1) to identify the sources of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn in sediments of the intertidal zones; and (2) to analyze temporal and spatial variation of heavy metals and As speciation; and (3) to assess the concentration and potential ecological risk of heavy metals and As in sediments of the intertidal zones
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