Spatial distribution and source identification for heavy metals in surface sediments of East Dongting Lake, China

Abstract

Dongting Lake is one of the most important inland freshwater lakes in China. To investigate the spatial distribution and seasonal variation characteristics of heavy metals (Cr, Co, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb) in the lake, 53 surface sediment samples were collected in the East Dongting Lake (ED Lake) in the wet and dry seasons. Results show Cr, Co, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb contents were 1.7 (1.9), 1.8 (2.0), 2.9 (3.0), 1.9 (1.9), 11.7 (13.1), and 2.0 (2.2)-fold of their geochemical soil background values of Hunan province (China) in the wet (dry) season. Spatial and seasonal heterogeneity could be found in the distribution of Cr, Co, Cu, Zn, and Pb in the surface sediments. The enrichment factor (EF) suggested that Cd has reached severe enrichment in the sediment. The result of the geo-accumulation index ($${I}_{geo}$$ I geo ) indicated that Cr, Co, Cu, Zn, and Pb were at levels corresponding to low contamination, and moderately to highly polluted with Cd. Multivariate statistical analysis including pearson correlation analysis and principal component analysis was used for the identification of potential sources of the heavy metals in the sediments. The results showed that Cu, Zn, and Pb from the sediments of the East Dongting Lake in the wet and dry seasons were possibly anthropogenic sources, such as emissions from mining and smelting while Al, Fe, and Cr are attributed for natural sources. Cd enrichment in the sediments is influenced by both natural factors, and human activities in local areas.

Geochemical study of the sediments in main wadis eastern part of Mosul city, Iraq

“…Heavy element contamination directly threatens both human life and the environment. They are transferred to people via the food chain and by drinking contaminated water (Huang et al 2020) since these components are undegraded chemically or biologically and persist in soil and sediments for extended periods (Yuan, Liu & Liu, 2022). Heavy element concentrations above normal levels disturb the biological balance of the soil and lower its fertility (Barbieri, 2016), resulting in a reduction in land usage for agricultural production, which poses a danger to food insecurity (Rai et al, 2019).…”

“…The quality of sediments is a signi cant environmental indicator of water pollution (Tokatli 2019), as sediments are a nal or temporary sink for various types of pollutants, including the elements discharged to the environment (Chen et al 2022). The sediments of valleys and rivers are exposed to pollution with heavy metals transported from various natural and anthropogenic sources (Yuan, Liu & Liu, 2022).…”

Geochemical Study of the Sediments in Main Valleys East of Mosul city, Iraq

“…The quality of sediments is a signi cant environmental indicator of water pollution (Gargouri et al, 2018;Tokatli, 2019), as sediments are a nal or temporary sink for various types of pollutants, including the elements discharged to the environment (Saydam Eker, 2020; Chen et al, 2022). The sediments of valleys and rivers are exposed to pollution with H.M.s transported from various natural and anthropogenic sources (Dhamin and Majeed, 2022;Yuan et al, 2022).…”

“…H.M.s contamination directly threatens both human life and the environment. They are transferred to people via the food chain and by drinking contaminated water (Huang et al, 2020;Nkwunonwo et al, 2020) since these components are undegraded chemically or biologically and persist in soil and sediments for extended periods (Yuan, Liu & Liu, 2022). H.M.s contents above normal levels disturb the biological balance of the soil and lower its fertility (Barbieri, 2016;Skorbiłowicz et al, 2021;Zhao et al 2022) resulting in a reduction in land usage for agricultural production, which poses a danger to food insecurity (Kopittke et al 2019;Rai et al, 2019).…”

Fate and Spatial Distribution of Co, Cr and Ni in the Water Column and in the Surface Sediment of Indonesian Estuary (Citarum River Estuary)

“…Heavy metals in the environment that flow with river flows from upstream to downstream can accumulate in sediments through adsorption and deposition processes (Zhang et al, 2022) so that they can be found in estuary sediments with high concentrations. There is the potential for heavy metals in the sediment to be released back into the water column which can cause secondary contamination in the water column, this is influenced by hydrodynamic conditions and environmental factors (Yuan et al, 2022). The hydrodynamic conditions and environmental factors in the Citarum River estuary are different from the river water bodies.…”