Heavy metals pollution characteristics and risk assessment in sediments and waters: The case of Tianjin, China

Potential health and ecological risks due to heavy metal pollution in surface waters and sediments were evaluated based on a health risk assessment model and a potential ecological risk index method. Combined with the reclamation progress of Tianjin Nangang Industrial Zone, in China, a survey was carried out in the area dealing with heavy metals concentrations in surface waters and sediments, covering from 2008 to 2018. Specifically, concentrations were determined for As, Cd, Hg, Cu, Pb, and Zn. The results show that As?Cd?Hg?Cu ?Pb? Zn average concentrations in surface water were 0.99 mu g/L-1.27 mu g/L, 0.13 mu g/L-0.63 mu g/L, 0.03 mu g/L-0.13 mu g/L, 1.5 mu g/L-4.65 mu g/L, 1.25 mu g/L-4.7 mu g/L, 13.5 mu g/L-20.99 mu g/L and which average concentrations in sediment were 5.12 mg/kg-12.34 mg/kg, 0.12 mg/kg-0.18 mg/kg, 0.04 mg/kg -0.087 mg/kg, 13.45 mg/ kg-31.92 mg/kg, 13.2 mg/kg -21.26 mg/kg, 21.58 mg/kg -77.21 mg/kg, respectively. The background values of the Hailuan River basin near the study area were taken as the reference and compared with the national sediment quality standards a tell us the quality of the sediments in Tianjin Nangang coastal area being good. As regards the characteristics of pollution, heavy metals showed a high concentration in 2008 and then decreased significantly, which related to the dredging of large amounts of contaminated surface sediment during port construction. According to the phase equilibrium partition coefficient (Kp) and temporal and spatial distribution characteristics of heavy metals, sediments can be seen as an obvious sink for lead, with this element being mainly affected by exogenous input in coastal seawater. Zn, As, Cd, and Hg contents in surface water were greatly affected by the endogenous release from sediments. The results of the environmental risk assessment showed that the main environmental health risk of Tianjin coastal waters was carcinogenic, and specifically due to As. The potential heavy metals ecological risk assessment results of surface sediments were mild for the affected areas.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the potential health and ecological risks of heavy metal pollution in surface waters and sediments in Tianjin Nangang Industrial Zone, China. The results showed that heavy metal concentrations decreased over time, with arsenic posing the main carcinogenic risk to the environment.