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Ecological risk of heavy metals in sediments of the Luan River source water

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Abstract

Distribution and characteristics of heavy metals enrichment in sediment were surveyed including the bio-available form analyzed for assessment of the Luan River source water quality. The approaches of sediment quality guidelines (SQG), risk assessment code and Hakanson potential ecological risk index were used for the ecological risk assessment. According to SQG, The results show that in animal bodies, Hg at the sampling site of Wuliehexia was 1.39 mg/kg, Cr at Sandaohezi was 152.37 mg/kg and Cu at Hanjiaying was 178.61 mg/kg exceeding the severe effect screening level. There were 90% of sampling sites of Cr and Pb and 50% sites of Cu exceeded the lowest effect screening level. At Boluonuo and Wuliehexia, the exchangeable and carbonate fractions for above 50% of sites were at high risk levels and that for above 30% of sites at Xiahenan and Wulieheshang were also at high risk levels. Other sites were at medium risk level. Compared to soil background values of China, Hg and Cd showed very strong ecological risk, and the seven heavy metals of Hg, Cd, Cu, As, Pb, Cr, Zn at ecological risk levels were in the descending order. The results could give insight into risk assessment of environmental pollution and decision-making for water source security.

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Acknowledgments

The present investigation was supported by the National Basic Research Programs of China (2006CB403403) and Beijing Natural Science Foundation (8062019). We thank Ms. Liya Su with Beijing Normal University and Mr. Chao Lin with Hai He River Water Conservancy Commission and Mr. Shouliang Han with Panjiakou Key Water Control Diversion Management Bureau, for their help with collecting samples.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control & School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, 100875, Beijing, China

    Jingling Liu, Yongli Li, Bao Zhang, Jinling Cao & Zhiguo Cao

  2. US Geological Survey, 6000 J Street, Placer Hall, Sacramento, CA, 95819, USA

    Joseph Domagalski

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  1. Jingling Liu
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  2. Yongli Li
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  3. Bao Zhang
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  4. Jinling Cao
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Correspondence to Jingling Liu.

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Liu, J., Li, Y., Zhang, B. et al. Ecological risk of heavy metals in sediments of the Luan River source water. Ecotoxicology 18, 748–758 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-009-0345-y

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