We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Spatiotemporal Patterns of Heavy-Metal Pollution in Coastal Pinqing Lagoon (Southern China): Anthropogenic and Hydrological Effect
Summary
Researchers examined spatiotemporal patterns of heavy metal pollution in Pinqing Lagoon, a coastal lagoon in South China, using core and surface sediment samples to assess enrichment, contamination factors, and ecological risk. The study found that Cu was the chief pollutant while Cd posed the highest ecological risk, with century-scale anthropogenic disturbance, industrial activity, and wastewater discharge driving contamination patterns.
Coastal lagoons connecting the land and sea provide essential ecosystem services. However, emerging environmental issues such as environmental pollution and ecological degradation from rapid socio-economic development in coastal zones of south China are becoming increasingly prevalent. This study examined the spatiotemporal variation, sources, assessments, and driving forces of heavy metals based on core and surface sediments collected from Pinqing Lagoon, a coastal lagoon in South China. Sediment cores (PQ1, PQ2, and PQ3) showed distinct vertical variations in the content of Cu, Cd, Zn, Pb, As, and Sb with an average coefficient of variation (C.V.) of 0.25. However, a relatively lower vertical variation (C.V. mean = 0.13) was shown by the other elements (Mn, V, Ni, Cr, and Co). Although Cu was the chief pollutant heavy metal and it had mean values of 1.6 and 1.7 for the enrichment factor (EF) and contamination factor (CF), respectively, Cd posed the highest ecological risk (Eri mean = 36.34). A century-scale anthropogenic disturbance and growing industrial activities in the lagoon area have caused heavy-metal pollution in Pinqing Lagoon. Wastewater discharge into the lagoon over the past 30 years has further aggravated the pollution. The land-use pattern changes in the catchment and removal of polluting industries resulted in a shift in the center of gravity of heavy-metal pollution in the surface sediment of the lagoon. When integrated with the available data, significant pollution gradients were observed suggesting that the pollution level of Pinqing Lagoon was slightly higher than the marginal sea (Honghai Bay) but significantly lower than the adjacent inland water bodies (Gongping and Chisha Reservoirs). This difference attributes unique hydrodynamic conditions to the Pinqing Lagoon, which consistently mitigates environmental pollution by lying at the interface between inland water and the coastal sea in South China. These conditions resulted in the relatively low contamination degree (CD mean = 7.5) and the low ecological risk index (RI mean = 70) over the past 150 years in Pinqing Lagoon.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Spatial distribution characteristics, ecological risk assessment, and source analysis of heavy metal(loid)s in surface sediments of the nearshore area of Qionghai
Analysis of 93 surface sediment samples from the nearshore area of Qionghai found heavy metal contamination from natural weathering, agricultural, and industrial sources, with geo-accumulation indices and ecological risk assessments identifying priority elements of concern.
Contaminant Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Heavy Metals in Seawater and Sediments in a Typical Mariculture Bay in South China
Researchers assessed heavy metal contamination in seawater and sediments of Qinzhou Bay, a major mariculture area in South China, finding seasonal variations in metal concentrations influenced by river input, aquaculture activities, and hydrodynamic conditions.
Ecological risk assessment of aquatic organisms induced by heavy metals in the estuarine waters of the Pearl River
Researchers monitored five heavy metals — arsenic, copper, lead, mercury, and zinc — across eight estuaries of China's Pearl River throughout 2020, finding that copper and zinc posed the greatest ecological risks to aquatic organisms, particularly threatening crustaceans, mollusks, and certain fish species. These findings provide a foundation for setting water quality standards and protecting biodiversity in one of China's most heavily developed coastal regions.
Environmental Quality and Ecological Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in the Zhuhai Coast, China
Researchers assessed heavy metal distribution and ecological risk in seawater, sediments, and organisms across the Zhuhai coast of China, finding that copper, zinc, and lead exceeded seawater standards and that cadmium and copper posed moderately high ecological risk. Chemical company emissions were identified as the main contributors to the elevated cadmium and copper levels.
Ecological-Health Risk Assessments of Heavy Metals (Cu, Pb, and Zn) in Aquatic Sediments from the ASEAN-5 Emerging Developing Countries: A Review and Synthesis
This review compiled copper, lead, and zinc concentrations in aquatic sediments across five ASEAN countries from 1981 to 2021, finding elevated heavy metal levels at sites with high human activity and assessing ecological and health risks from sediment contamination.