Characteristics of dissolved organic matter in surface water and sediment and its ecological indication in a typical mining-affected river-Le'an River, China

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) plays an important role in the cycling and toxicity of heavy metals in aquatic systems. However, most studies have focused only on DOM in either water or sediments. This study aimed to analyze the source, composition, and structural characteristics of DOM in both surface water and bottom sediments of the Le'an River and its major tributaries. In addition, the potential ecological risks of three typical heavy metals (Cu, Pb, and Zn) were quantitatively evaluated based on the characteristics of DOM and in situ data. The results showed that sediment DOM is more aromatic and hydrophobic than surface water DOM. Although humic-like components dominated the DOM pool in both surface water and sediments, their sources were different. Surface water DOM is mainly autochthonous, while sediment DOM is controlled by both autochthonous and allochthonous sources. Risk prediction results based on DOM characteristics show that surface water has a higher potential risk of heavy metal release than sediments. Comprehensively considering the ecological risk of water and sediments, high-risk areas were found to be mainly distributed in the upper and middle reaches of the Le' an River. This distribution is attributable to the developed mining and smelting industries in these areas and consistent with the risk assessment results of measured concentrations of heavy metals. This study established a new technique for predicting the ecological risk of aquatic systems based on the characteristics of DOM in surface water and sediments.

Automated summary

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) plays a crucial role in the cycling and toxicity of heavy metals in aquatic systems. This study analyzed the source, composition, and structural characteristics of DOM in both surface water and bottom sediments of the Le'an River and its tributaries. The study also evaluated the ecological risks of three heavy metals (Cu, Pb, and Zn) based on DOM characteristics and in situ data. The results showed that sediment DOM was more aromatic and hydrophobic than surface water DOM. Surface water had a higher potential risk of heavy metal release compared to sediments. High-risk areas were mainly found in the upper and middle reaches of the Le' an River due to mining and smelting industries. This study established a new technique for predicting the ecological risk of aquatic systems based on DOM characteristics in water and sediments.