Impact of typhoon Matmo (2014) on the distribution of heavy metals in Quanzhou Bay

Abstract

The typhoon process has a significant influence on the distribution of heavy metals in sediments. Based on the heavy metal (V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb, and Mn) contents in surface sediments collected under normal conditions and post-typhoon Matmo in Quanzhou Bay in 2014, the distributions, sources, and impacts of typhoon processes on heavy metals and pollution conditions were studied and discussed. The results showed that the heavy metals can be divided into two categories: Class I metals (Cu, Zn, Pb, and Mn) were mainly distributed in the estuary and significantly increased after the typhoon, and Class II metals (V, Cr, Co, and Ni) were distributed in the coastal intertidal zone and estuary and remained unchanged or decreased after the typhoon. The heavy metal assessment showed that heavy metal pollution in Quanzhou Bay was serious and tended to increase after the typhoon. The increased metal supply and enhanced riverine and tidal hydrodynamics after the typhoon may be the main factors influencing the variations in heavy metal content and distribution. This study provided a basis for the accurate evaluation and scientific management of heavy metal pollution caused by typhoon processes in Quanzhou Bay.

Adsorption and migration of heavy metals between sediments and overlying water in the Xinhe River in central China

“…The power source resulting in changes of the sedimentary conditions is divided into natural factors and anthropogenic perturbations. The natural factors mainly include hydrodynamics (e.g., wind wave, storm, tide (Lin et al 2019;Lu et al 2019), and water flow), chemical processes, and bioturbation (Song et al 2015). The man-made factors mainly include ship transportation (Superville et al 2014), sand mining, dredging operations, fishing, and other human activities (Shi & Zhang 2018).…”