Ecological and health risk assessments and water quality criteria of heavy metals in the Haihe River

Heavy metal pollution is an issue of wide concern owing to the toxic and bioaccumulative properties of many heavy metals and their tendencies to persist in the environment. The Haihe River is an important river in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, and heavy metal pollution of the basin has attracted considerable attention. This study determined the concentrations of 14 heavy metals (As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Sn, and Zn) in water, sediments, and fish samples from the Haihe River basin. The results showed that the concentrations ranged from 0.08 mu g L-1 to 60.49 mu g L-1 in water, 0.11 mg kg(-1) to 229.20 mg kg(-1) in sediments, and 0.01 mg kg(-1) to 11.72 mg kg(-1) in fish. We derived the ambient water quality criteria (AWQC) value of each heavy metal with respect to human health, and then performed a comprehensive risk assessment according to the native parameters. The human health AWQC values for the assessed 14 heavy metals ranged from 0.16 mu g L-1 to 726.53 mu g L-1 The health risks posed by As, Cr, Hg, and Sb and the ecological risks associated with Ni, Cu, Cr, Zn, Cd, Co, Hg, and Sn were found to be issues of concern. The results of a sensitivity analysis revealed that the highest contributing parameter was i) the concentration in water (Cw) for Cd, Co, Mn, Sb, and Sn; ii) the intake rate of water (IRw) for As, Ba, Cr, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Se; and iii) the concentration in fish (C-f) for Cu and Zn. The results of this research could contribute to the information required for water quality assessments and the development of water quality standards.

Automated summary

This study examined the concentrations of 14 heavy metals in water, sediments, and fish samples from the Haihe River basin, determining the ambient water quality criteria (AWQC) values and conducting a comprehensive risk assessment. The health risks posed by certain heavy metals and ecological risks associated with others were highlighted, with sensitivity analysis identifying key contributing parameters for each metal. This research provides valuable information for water quality assessments and standards development.