Measurement and ecological risk assessment of heavy metals accumulated in sediment and water collected from Gomishan international wetland, Iran

Abstract

This study aimed to measure and ecologically assess heavy metals, including As, Cr, Pb, Cd, and Ni in water and sediment samples taken from Gomishan, an international wetland located in Golestan, Iran. Four sampling stations were selected to cover all parts of the wetland. The analyses of the heavy metals were performed by ICP-MS. Based on the content of the heavy metals in the sediments, the values of risks for individual heavy metals, as Er, and for total heavy metals, as IR, were estimated. Igeo and EF also presented the soil quality in the term of accumulated contamination. The average content of the heavy metals in water was 23.12, 4.14, 10.04, 6.71, and 94.48 μg/L for As, Cd, Cr, Ni, and Pb, respectively. The heavy metal concentrations in sediments were decreased in the following order: Pb (2130 ppb)>As(655 ppb)>Cr(295 ppb)>Ni(148.8 ppb)>Cd(148.8 ppb). The potential risk values for individual heavy metals were in the low range, Er < 40, except for Cd which mostly posed a moderate ecological risk. The values of EF and Igeo showed that the sediments sampled from the Gomishan wetland were minimally enriched and contaminated. Since the Gomishan wetland has a moderate risk of heavy metal contamination, conservative and monitoring activities should be performed.

Prioritizing Water Resources for Conservation in a Land of Water Crisis: The Case of Protected Areas of Iran

“…Additionally, past research indicated that the agricultural sector could be considered the most important cause of Anzali Wetland degradation [55,56]. In contrast, Gomishan Wetland was found to be of the lowest priority for conservation due to its geographical location (located in Golestan province, northern Iran), less biological sensitivity (mean depth of wetland is 1.5 m [57]; moderate risk of heavy metal contamination [58]), and high conservation status (due to strict environmental regulations in this area [59]).…”

Characterization of heavy metal contamination in wetland sediments of Bosten lake and evaluation of potential ecological risk, China

“…Most heavy metals settle in sediments, with only a minor fraction remaining dissolved in water (Liu and Dilinuer, 2014). Although extensive research covers the pollution characteristics, ecological risks, and origins of heavy metals in various ecological wetlands (Jiao et al, 2014;Ni et al, 2023;Wang X. M. et al, 2023;Kalani et al, 2021;Engin et al, 2015), arid zone wetlands have received less attention due to climatic challenges and habitat fragmentation. This study examines the western wetlands of Bosten Lake, China's largest freshwater lake in an arid region, a critical recharge zone for the Tarim River and an essential water resource for the Bayin'guoleng Mongol Autonomous Prefecture.…”

Analysis of Onshore and Offshore Soils in the Lower Xiangjiang River

“…When the river reaches the lower reaches of the Xiangjiang River, the river flow slows down and heavy metals may again be absorbed by the soil along the banks [22]. Therefore, the study of heavy metals in river bank soils [23][24][25] is of great significance to the evaluation of river water quality and river ecological protection [26][27][28][29][30]. However, few studies on heavy metals in riparian soils in the Xiangjiang River basin have been reported.…”