Characterization and Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in River Sediments on the Western Bank of Taihu Lake, China

In this study, nine heavy metals (Cd, Cr, As, Hg, Pb, Cu, Ni, Be, and Sb) in the sediments of 17 typical rivers on the western bank of Taihu Lake were determined. Several statistical methods were applied to analyze the distribution, sources, pollution status, and potential ecological risk of these metals. The mean concentrations of heavy metals in sediments other than Be exceeded their local background values. Geoaccumulation index and potential ecological risk index analyses demonstrated that most sediment samples were contaminated and may pose ecological risks, especially those from the Taihu Lake estuary. In particular, Cd concentrations indicated moderate contamination and potentially serious to severe ecological risk. Principal component, cluster, and correlation analyses demonstrated that Ni, Sb, Cr, and Cu were derived from industrial sources, whereas the other metals had complex origins.

Automated summary

The study found that the sediments of 17 typical rivers on the western bank of Taihu Lake contained multiple heavy metals exceeding local background values, posing ecological risks. Cadmium contamination was particularly serious, indicating potentially severe ecological risks. Nickel, antimony, chromium, and copper were found to be derived from industrial sources, while the origins of other metals were more complex.