Spatial characterization, risk assessment, and statistical source identification of the dissolved trace elements in the Ganjiang River—feeding tributary of the Poyang Lake, China

Abstract

Surface water samples were collected from 20 sampling sites throughout the Ganjiang River during pre-monsoon, monsoon, and post-monsoon seasons, and the concentrations of dissolved trace elements were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for the spatial and seasonal variations, risk assessment, source identification, and categorization for risk area. The result demonstrated that concentrations of the elements exhibited significant seasonality. The high total element concentrations were detected at sites close to the intensive mining and urban activities. The concentrations of the elements were under the permissible limits as prescribed by related standards with a few exceptions. The most of heavy metal pollution index (HPI) values were lower than the critical index limit, indicating the basically clean water used as habitat for aquatic life. As was identified as the priority pollutant of non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic concerns, and the inhabitants ingesting the surface water at particular site might be subjected to the integrated health risks for exposure to the mixed trace elements. Multivariate statistical analyses confirmed that Zn, As, Cd, and Tl were derived from mining and urban activities; V, Cd, and Pb exhibited mixed origin; and Co, Ni, and Cu mainly resulted from natural processes. Three categorized risk areas corresponded to high, moderate, and low risks, respectively. As a whole, the upstream of the Ganjiang River was identified as the high-risk area relatively.

Characteristics, Sources and Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in the Ganjiang River Basin, China

“…Compared with adults, we found that children were more sensitive to heavy metal pollution. The result was consistent with many studies [24,63]. Consequently, with the weak immune function and low education level of children, considerable attention should be paid to them.…”

“…4). Zhang et al [24] also found that As was the main pollutant in the Ganjiang River. Similarly, As pollution has been found in other regions in China and other countries, such as the Chinese Loess Plateau [2], Three Gorges Reservoir [11] and 14 countries in Latin America [51].…”

“…Hu et al [23] found that mining activities and industrial activities caused severe heavy metal pollution in the river. Moreover, Zhang et al [24] demonstrated that local residents were susceptible to non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks caused by heavy metal pollution, and As was the primarily pollutant-causing risk. Nevertheless, the existing research has focused on several mainstream sites or certain river sections.…”

Applying Chemometric Techniques to Biogenic Substances as a Source of Pollution in Lake Surface Waters

“…3, Tables 3 and 4). Similar results have been reported by [45] in his research on surface waters of the Ganjiang River (China), who used identical statistical methods for interpreting experimental data.…”

Occurrence and Health-Risk Assessment of Trace Metals in Raw and Boiled Drinking Water from Rural Areas of China

“…Although high CDI of As were found in a few sites, its median value (0.01 µg/kg/d or 0.64 µg/d) in this study was much lower than the results from Beijing (0.07 µg/kg/d) [31], Shenzhen (0.029 µg/kg/d) [3] andİzmir, Turkey (0.035 µg/kg/d) [26], but similar to Maryland (0.52 µg/d) [74]. Similarly, the median or mean CDI values for other trace metals (mainly Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Mo, Ni, Sb, U and Zn) were also lower than (or similar to) data from the Chinese cities of Beijing [31], Shanghai [32], Shenzhen [3], and cities from Jiangsu province [33], as well as other regions ofİzmir, Turkey [26], Kohistan, Pakistan [52], West Bengal, India [67], Japan [75] and Maryland [74]. But the mean CDI values for Cr, Pb, Ni, U and Zn in the present study were higher than the corresponding data from Japan [75].…”