Water Quality and Some Heavy Metals in Water and Sediments of Euphrates River, Iraq

Water samples, sediments from three stations in Euphrates River, lraq were analyzed quantitatively for some physical and chemical characters and six heavy metals （Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni and Pb） using flam atomic absorption spectrophotpmeter in period Sept. 2009-Oct. 2010. The physical and chemical characters included temperature, pH, water flow, salinity, dissolved oxygen, BOD5, alkalinity total hardness, calcium and nutrients （nitrite, nitrate reactive phosphate and silicate）. The results showed variation in water flow 0.05-0.40 m/sec., according to the values of salinity 0.40%-0.60% values of the BOD5 were ranged between 0.2-4.3 mg/L. The mean concentration of the heavy metals （Pb, Ni, Mn, Co, Cu and Fe） of the dissolved phase in water were 0.13 μg/L, 0.021 μg/L, 0.31 μg/L, 4.29 μg/L, 7.78 μg/L, 6.46 μg/L and 79.04 μg/L, respectively, while their concentration in the particulate phase were 0.59 μg/g, 0.06 μg/g, 0.42 μg/g, 50.06 μg/g, 6.61 μg/g, 7.17 vg/g and 149.42 μg/g dry weight, respectively. Also the mean concentrations of heavy metals in sediment （exchangeable phase） were 0.51 vg/g,0.18 vg/g, 0.08 μg/g, 61.39 μg/g, 5.40 μg/g, 14.06 vg/g and 130.05 μg/g dry weight respectively, and 0.40 μg/g, 0.17 μg/g, 0.10 μg/g, 63.01 μg/g, 4.64 μg/g, 18.44 μg/g and 126.26 μg/g D.W. respectively in residual phase of sediment.

Water Quality and Heavy Metal Monitoring in Water, Sediments, and Tissues of the African Catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) from the River Nile, Egypt

Water quality of the river Nile and trace elements of the water, sediments and fish tissues were investigated in the current work. Eighteen different sampling points were selected along the whole course of the River Nile from its spring at Aswan to its estuaries at Rosetta and Damietta. Higher mean value of conductivity, alkalinity, chemical oxygen demand (COD), total organic carbon (TOC), ammonia (NH3), nitrate (NO3), total solid (TS), sulphate (SO4), chloride (Cl), orthophosphate were recorded in the water of Damietta and Rosetta branches comparing to other sites. Also trace metals in the water, sediments and tissues of Clarias gariepinus increased significantly (P Fe > Cu > Pb > Mn > Cr> Cd > Hg. In the gill tissues theses metals were accumulated in the following order Fe > Zn > Mn > Pb > Cr > Cu > Cd> Hg. The low accumulation of metals in muscle may be due to lack of binding affinity of these metals with the proteins of muscle. This is particularly important because muscles contribute the greatest mass of the flesh that is consumed as food.

Health risk assessment of heavy metal pollution in groundwater of a karst basin,SW China

To investigate the presence of metal elements and assess their health risk for the populace in the Nandong Underground River Basin(NURB),we conducted an analysis of eleven common heavy metals in the water body.A Health risk assessment(HRA)model was employed to analyze 84 water samples from the NURB.The detection results revealed the following order of heavy metals concentrations:Fe>Al>Mn>Zn>As>Cd>Pb>Cr>Ni>Cu>Hg.Correlation analysis indicated a certain similarity in material source and migration transformation among these eleven metal elements.Our study identified that the health risks for local residents exposed to metal elements in the water of NURB primarily stem from carcinogenic risk(10^(−6)–10^(−4)a^(−1))through the drinking water pathway.Moreover,the health risk of heavy metal exposure for children through drinking water was notably higher than for adults.The maximum health risks of Cr in both underground and surface water exceeded the recommendation standard(5.0×10^(−5)a^(−1))from ICRP,surpassing the values recommended by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency,the Dutch Ministry of Construction and Environment and the British Royal Society(5.0×10^(−6)a^(−1)).The results of the health risk assessment indicate that Cr in the water of NURB is the primary source of carcinogenic risk for local residents,followed by Cd and As.Consequently,it is imperative to control these three carcinogenic metals when the water was used as drinking water resource.

Agricultural Contamination of the Surface Waters of the Upper Ouémé in Benin: The Case of Heavy Metals and Pesticides

Objective: The main objective of this study was to assess the degree of contamination of surface waters by heavy metals and pesticides. Method: To this end, data were collected in December 2022 from four specific sampling stations: Okpara, Térou, Affon and Adjiro. Levels of heavy metals, including cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, mercury, nickel and lead, were measured and subjected to in-depth statistical analysis using graphical summation models. In addition, the concentrations of pesticide active ingredients present in the samples were interpreted and evaluated. The statistical data collected during this study were processed using R software, version 3.5.0. Results: The values obtained at the different stations Okpara, Térou, Affon and Adjiro are respectively Arsenic (2 × 10-4 mg/L;2.2 × 10-1 mg/L;1.2 × 10-4 mg/L;2 × 10-4 mg/L), Cadmium (4.4 × 10-5 mg/L;1.1 × 10-2 mg/L;10-4 mg/L;4 × 10-4 mg/L). Then Copper (7 × 10-4 mg/L;3 × 10-3 mg/L;7 × 10-4 mg/L;1 × 10-4 mg/L), Iron (1.51 mg/L;6.4 × 10-1 mg/L;2.0012 mg/L;2.9 × 10-1 mg/L), Lead (0 mg/L;0 mg/L;1.5 × 10-3 mg/L;1.5 × 10-3 mg/L). Mercury, nickel and chromium were not detected in surface waters. It is important to note that the values obtained for trace metals (Cadmium, Chromium, Copper, Iron, Mercury, nickel and chromium were not detected in surface waters. It is important to note that the values obtained for trace metals (cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, mercury, nickel and lead) were all below the guideline standards set by the WHO in 2006 for uncontaminated surface waters. This indicates that the surface waters of the Upper Ouémé were below acceptable contamination thresholds in terms of heavy metals. However, the presence of pesticide active ingredients such as cyfluthrin, endosulfan-alpha, endosulfan-beta, profenosfos, tihan, atrazine, gala super and glycel clearly indicates that these surface waters are subject to agricultural contamination.

Analysis and Evaluation of Heavy Metal Environmental Quality of Irrigation Water in Vegetable Farmlands of Shandong Province

[Objective] The aim was to evaluate heavy metal environmental quality of irrigation water in vegetable farmlands of Shandong Province. [Method] Heavy metal contents including Hg,Cd,As,Cr (+6),Pb,Cu and Zn in irrigation water of main vegetable farmlands of Shandong Province were investigated by randomly sampling,and the environmental quality conditions of these heavy metals were evaluated by methods of single quality index and complex quality index. [Result] The results showed that the average contents of heavy metals in irrigation water of Shouguang,Laiyang,Jinxiang and Zhangqiu were all far lower than the limit values prescribed by 'Farmland Environmental Quality Evaluation Standards for Edible Agricultural Products' (HJ332-2006),and no heavy metal was found beyond the limit value in every sample. The single quality indices of the 7 elements in the studied 4 places were all lower than 0.5. The comprehensive quality index of the seven elements was 0.317 8 in Shouguang,0.320 4 in Laiyang,0.232 6 in Jinxiang,and 0.260 7 in Zhangqiu. The environmental quality of irrigation water in the studied four places were all set at the first class. [Conclusion] The environmental quality of irrigation water in the 4 places belonged to clean level and were fit for the plantation of no pollution vegetables.

Assessment of Rainwater Quality in Warri and Environ, Southern Nigeria for Domestic Purposes

The study aimed at assessing the physiochemical characteristics of rainwater in Warri and it environ was investigated. Pb, Zn, Cd, Cu and Cr concentrations in rainwater from roof and non-roof sources were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. Three geospatial locations comprising Jakpa, Udu, and Ubeji were selected based on prevailing anthropogenic activities. The rainwater samples were systematically collected from (aluminum) roof and non-roof sources for the months of April, June, and August and October 2022, treated and analyzed in the laboratory for sixteen physicochemical parameters. Results were statistically analyzed using ANOVA, and T-test for the determination of the level of relationships and variations across geospatial locations. Significant correlations (r = 0.72) exist between Cr in rainwater from roof and non-roof sources. Implying point-source contaminations and may be emanating from the influence of roof materials. Furthermore, high concentrations of Cd and Pb in roof source above WHO standards were mostly in Jakpa and Ubeji. Calculated Health Risk Index (HRI) for children and adult is greater than 1. The results showed that most samples from the locations are considered not safe (HRI > 1) especially for Cd, which means that there are potential health risks consuming rainwater from Jakpa, Udu and Ubeji. Therefore, there is need for prompt sensitization program to dissuade people from directly drinking rainwater from these locations.

Photocatalytic removal of heavy metal ions and antibiotics in agricultural wastewater:A review

In recent years,the treatment of agricultural wastewater has been an important aspect of environmental protection.The purpose of photocatalytic technology is to degrade pollutants by utilizing solar light energy to stimulate the migration of photocarriers to the surface of photocatalysts and occur reduction-oxidation reaction with pollutants in agricultural wastewater.Photocatalytic technology has the characteristics of high efficiency,sustainability,low-energy and free secondary pollution.It is an environmental and economical method to recover water quality that only needs sunlight.In this paper,the mechanism and research progress of photocatalytic removal of heavy metal ions and antibiotics from agricultural water pollution were reviewed by combining photocatalytic degradation process with agricultural treatment technology.The mechanism of influencing factors of photocatalytic degradation efficiency was discussed in detail and corresponding strategies were proposed,which has certain reference value for the development of photocatalytic degradation.

Pollution and health risk assessment of heavy metals in waters around mine sites of Elazig(Eastern Turkey)

Turkey’s Eastern Anatolia Region is the oldest known mineral mining area of Maden and Alacakaya.Chromite production in the Alacakaya field constitutes 50% of the country’s exports,and copper mines in the Maden region account for approximately 12% of the country’s copper production.There is a risk of water pollution due to significant mine waste which affects the Inci and Maden rivers.The water needs of many settlements are met from these streams,which run through these two mine sites.This study investigated the water pollution in the rivers.25 water samples were collected during the dry and rainy periods,and the Al,Cr,Cu,Fe,Li,Mn,Ni,Pb,Sr and Zn contents of these samples were examined in terms of health.Evaluation of element concentrations and creation of spatial distribution maps were performed using ArcGIS software.Spatial distribution maps,correlation and cluster analysis indicate that the source of heavy metals observed in waters is mine fields.The heavy metal content of the samples is higher in the dry period,the high concentration values are obtained from the mine sites,the decrease in the concentrations throughout the flow during the rainy period,are indicators of the effect of the mines on the water pollution.As a result of the comparison from the analysis results of water samples with World Health Organization(WHO),Environmental Protection Agency(EPA)and European Commission(EC)standards,the element values of Al,Cr,Fe,Mn,Ni and Pb exceeded the permissible values for health.The concentrations of these elements for dry period samples are:0-6.411 mg L^(-1),0.006-0.235 mg L^(-1),0-13.433 mg L^(-1),0-0.316 mg L^(-1),0-0.495 mg L^(-1),0-0.065mg L^(-1),and for rainy period samples are 0-1.698mg/L,0-0.2 mg L^(-1),0-9.033 mg L^(-1),0-0.173 mg L^(-1),0-0.373 mg L^(-1),0-0.034 mg L^(-1),respectively.Although the waters in the region are polluted by heavy metals,it has been determined that there is no noncarcinogenic hazard as a result of the calculation of the hazard index(HI<1)by ingestion and dermal contact within the scope of human health risk assessment.This study will be beneficial as it draws attention to the prevention of the negative effects of water pollution,which may cause serious health problems in the future as a result of mining activities in the region.

The Improvement of the Quality of Irrigation Water Contaminated with Heavy Metals in the Borg El Arab, Egypt

The aim of this study is to estimate the effects of the accumulation of harmful heavy metals in the irrigation water resulting from the proximity of the various activities of various water: sewage, artesian wells and industrial activities, particularly Borg El Arab Industrial area and take Nile water l Control (Bahig canal). The concentrations of these heavy metals in samples drawn from different distances from the source of irrigation in summer 2011 that contain the highest concentrations, followed by the winter of 2012. These results have shown that the amount of heavy metals in the samples at a distance of 50 meters is more than quantity of 5000 m by a 30 to 35 twice in water for irrigation, also the amount of heavy metals in the samples at a distance of 50 meters has values less than the permissible limits and disappeares completely at a distance of 5000 meters and that for different sources.

Development and Application of Water Quality Index (WQI) for the Evaluation of the Physico-Chemical Quality of Groundwater in Gold Mining Areas of Southeastern Senegal

Water is the most essential requirement for life. It provides a variety of purposes such as a source of water supply for drinking, domestic and industrial use, irrigated agriculture, livestock, and mining activities. Evaluating the status of water quality from traditional approaches does not guarantee the whole overview of the water quality situation. Therefore, developing a tool that can convert multiple parameters data into information that is understandable by both technical and non-technical personnel is vital. In this context, the purpose of this paper was to develop, calculate, and apply a water quality index for assessing the suitability (for drinking purposes) of groundwater in the gold mining areas in south-eastern Senegal. The development of this index based on WHO water quality guidelines followed the five standards steps i.e., parameters selection, sub-index formation, parameters weighting and sub-index aggregation and evaluation. Finally, the WQI summarized twelve key water quality parameters into 05 simple terms (excellent, good, medium, poor, and very poor) which is more relevant for reporting to managers and the public in a consistent manner. Thus, it was observed in the study area, that the water quality indexes in artisanal and industrial mining areas are either poor or very poor while in the reference stations (where there are no mining activities) WQI are either good or excellent. This situation was attributed to the effects of mining activities in such zones which contribute to the pollution of groundwater with heavy metals, nitrates, and suspended solids.

Groundwater quality in the vicinity of a dumpsite in Lagos metropolis,Nigeria

Inappropriate management of municipal solid waste dumpsites is a major cause of groundwater contamination in developing countries,but the extent of the problem is not known.This study investigated groundwater quality in the vicinity of Olusosun dumpsite in Lagos,Nigeria,the most populous city in sub-Saharan Africa.During 2020,monthly groundwater samples were collected in 17 wells and boreholes used as drinking water sources,and analysed for 20 physico-chemical parameters.Differences between sites and seasons were statistically assessed,together with changes in water quality index(WQI).The results indicated that heavy metals(Pb^(2+),Ni^(+),Mn^(2+),Fe^(2+),Cr^(6+)),cations(Ca^(2+),Mg^(2+),K^(+)),total hardness and pH were the main parameters impairing water quality.Drinking water quality standards from both the World Health Organization and Nigeria government were exceeded more often in the wet season than in the dry season.Some groundwater properties were negatively correlated with distance to dumpsite(e.g.,Fe^(2+),Pb^(2+),NO_(3)^(−)).Significant differences between sites were identified,but with no clear spatial trend.WQI varied from excellent(6%-24%of the sites over the study period)to unsuitable for drinking water purposes(12%-18%),with good quality prevailing at most sites(35%-47%).Although groundwater quality declined at 24%of the sites over 2020,the results indicated improvements compared with previous decades.Remediation strategies must be implemented to safeguard public health and the sustainability of water resources.

Soil Environmental Quality Evaluation for Wasteland of Coalmine Tailing Polluted by Heavy Metals in Mingshan of Guangdong

ln order to appraise scientifical y the heavy metal contamination in waste-land of coalmine tailing in Mingshan of Guangdong, the 5 soil samples in wasteland of coalmine tailing were col ected in November 2010 to March 2011. The 7 heavy metals content in the contaminated soil was measured by atomic absorption spec-trophotometry. The results showed the pH of the wasteland soil ranged from 2.87 to 6.16, and the soil was relatively infertile. The soil was mainly pol uted by Cd and Mn. The Cd content in wasteland soil ranged from 0.759 mg/kg to 3.109 mg/kg with an average content of 2.052 mg/kg, which was much higher than the standard content. The Mn content ranged from 387.057 to 488.660 mg/kg with an average content of 421.215 mg/kg, which was much higher than the standard content. The Nemerow integrated pol ution indexes showed the sample 1, sample 4 and sample 5 were of heavy pol ution, and sample 2 and sample 3 were of moderate pol ution.

Assessment of the Water Quality of the Benin River, Southern Nigeria, Prior to the Seaport Development Project

Water resources in the form of rivers, oceans and seas are prime natural resources that man has either explored or exploited. The need for clean water is on the increase and water degradation due to industrialization and development has further exacerbated the state of water bodies’ degradation. The need to assess the quality status of the Benin River prior to the seaport development was inherent to document the baseline of the physicochemical parameters of the study stretch. Four stations were studied from Ajoki to opposite Young Town between January 2019 and December 2020. Physicochemical parameters and heavy metals for water were collected and analyzed adhering to quality assurance/control measures and standard procedures. Significant spatial variations (P < 0.001) were observed in water physicochemical parameters, except pH across the four stations. Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Pollution Load Index and Water Quality Index (WQI) were used to establish a relationship among water quality parameters and determine the water quality status. The first six components of PCA accounted for 87.77% of observed variations. WQI for sampling Station 2 was very poor for drinking (90.46) and Stations 1, 3 and 4 were unsuitable (113.13 - 188.21) for human consumption. PLI showed turbidity as the major pollutant across stations. The concentrations of heavy metals in the Benin River stretch are within background concentration level, except Fe and Cd. The mean dissolved oxygen was below the recommended level of 7 mg/l for aquatic life. The continuous monitoring of this stretch of the River during the seaport development activities and during operational stage is very paramount to prevent further degradation of the environment.

Advances in Microbial Remediation on the Application of Heavy Metal Pollution in Agricultural Water Resources

Heavy metal pollution in agricultural water resources is very serious in re- cent years, resulting in large losses of the agricultural economy and endangering human life and health. Due to the advantages of low cost, high efficiency and less secondary pollution, microbial ramediation technology is widely used in the treatment of heavy metal pollution in agricultural water resources. At present, with the progress of modern biotechnology, microbial remediation of heavy metals in agricul- tural water resources has grown rapidly. The sources and status quo of heavy met- al pollution in agricultural water resources at home and aboard, and the principles of microbial remediation of heavy metals pollution in agricultural water resources were reviewed in this paper, as well as the several common microbial remediation technology of heavy metals in agricultural water resources. Additionally, the further research work of heavy metal contaminated agricultural water resources by microbial ramediation were prospected.

Spatial Variation and Risk Assessment of Arsenic and Heavy Metals in Surface Water and Suspended Particulate Matter in Tail Reaches of the Yellow River, China

To determine the pollution levels and potential toxic risks of arsenic(As) and heavy metals(Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd) in water and suspended particulate matter(SPM) in tail reaches(including freshwater reach and low-salinity reach) of the Yellow River as the Flow-Sediment Regulation Project(FSRP) has been carried out for approximately 15 yr, the surface water and SPM were sampled at pre-flood(April) and post-flood seasons(October). Results showed that similar changes of As and metal levels in water and SPM were observed along the tail reaches at pre-flood or post-flood season. Compared to pre-flood season, the levels of As, Cu, Cr and Ni in freshwater reach and the concentrations of Cr and Ni in low-salinity reach rose greatly at post-flood season. The levels of As and metals in SPM of freshwater reach or low-salinity reach at pre-flood season were significantly higher than those at post-flood season(P < 0.01).The pollutions of As and metals in surface water of tail reaches at pre-flood or post-flood season were not serious. The SPM in freshwater reach at pre-flood season were polluted by Cd, As, Cr, Cu and Ni while those in low-salinity reach were polluted by Cd and Cr. The SPM in freshwater reach at post-flood season were polluted by Cd and Pb while those in low-salinity reach were polluted by Cd and Cr.Cd was identified as heavy metal of primary concern at both pre-flood and post-flood seasons. Combined with the existed data reported in present research, this study found that the toxic risk of As and metals in SPM of tail reaches at pre-flood season was higher than that at post-flood season, implying that the implementation of FSRP during flooding season, to a great extent, reduced the toxic risk of these elements. With the long-term implementation of FSRP, the pollution levels of As and metals(particularly for Cd) in SPM of tail reaches might be elevated and the potential toxic risk primarily produced by Cr, Ni and As might be increased if effective measures were not taken in future.

Migration of Heavy Metal Elements in Reclaimed Irrigation Water-Soil-Plant System and Potential Risk to Human Health

[Objectives]To study the impact of heavy metal pollution of soil and plants during the process of reclaimed water for irrigation of green land in arid areas and the potential health risks to humans during use.[Methods]Taking Zhongwei City in Ningxia,a typical arid area,as the research area,the irrigation water,soil and green grass in the reclaimed water irrigation region and the original green water irrigation region were sampled,the heavy elements Hg,As,Zn,Pb,Cd,Cr were detected,and the Nemerow method,biological absorption coefficient,and health risk assessment were employed to evaluate the degree of soil pollution,plant absorption capacity,and human health risks.[Results]Compared with the original green water,the Hg,Cd,and Cr pollution of the reclaimed water irrigated green land was higher,the As,Zn,Pb pollution was lower,and the content of Hg and Cd was higher than the environmental background values of soil in Ningxia;the Cr content exceeded the risk intervention values of the first type of land in the Soil Environmental Quality—Risk Control Standard for Soil Contamination of Development Land(GB 36600-2018).Compared with the original green water irrigation region,it is found that the reclaimed water irrigation reduced the heavy metal pollution of the soil to a certain extent.The heavy metal content of tall fescue grass(Festuca arundinacea)in the reclaimed water irrigation region was Zn,Cr,Pb,As,Cd,and Hg from high to low;the order of the biological absorption coefficient was Cd>As>Zn>Pb>Hg>Cr;irrigation water exerted a certain effect on the content of heavy metals in plants and the biological absorption coefficient through the soil.Using the health risk assessment method recommended by Environmental Protection Agency of the United States of America(USEPA),it was found that the reclaimed water has the highest risk through the inhalation route,and the occupational population has a higher risk of skin contact with soil and plants.[Conclusions]This study is intended to provide data support and theoretical basis for the environmental safety risk research of the application of reclaimed water in arid areas to urban greening.

Toxic chemistry of heavy metals on hochrysis galbana (parke)in inshore water

Effects of heavy metals on Isochrysis galbana (Parke ) were studied in our laboratory. The research focused on toxic effects of metals on algal cells, effects of water-soluble and lipid-soluble organic ligands on metal toxicity and processes of metal uptake by cells. Interactions between two metals and the mechanisms involved were also studied in detail. Finally, some relationships between toxicity and chemical property of metals were revealed.

Phytoremediation of heavy metal polluted soils and water:Progresses and perspectives

Environmental pollution affects the quality of pedosphere,hydrosphere,atmosphere,lithosphere and biosphere.Great efforts have been made in the last two decades to reduce pollution sources and remedy the polluted soil and water resources.Phytoremediation,being more cost-effective and fewer side effects than physical and chemical approaches,has gained increasing popularity in both academic and practical circles.More than 400 plant species have been identified to have potential for soil and water remediation.Among them,Thlaspi,Brassica,Sedum alfredii H.,and Arabidopsis species have been mostly studied.It is also expected that recent advances in biotechnology will play a promising role in the development of new hyperaccumulators by transferring metal hyperaccumulating genes from low biomass wild species to the higher biomass producing cultivated species in the times to come.This paper attempted to provide a brief review on recent progresses in research and practical applications of phytoremediation for soil and water resources.

Water and Heavy Metal Transport in Roadside Soils

Roads with very high traffic loads in regions where soils are low in both pH and sorption capacity might be a source of percolation water loaded with heavy metals. Looking at some "worst case" scenarios, this study focused on the input of traffic related pollutants and on Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn, Ni and Cr concentrations in the soil matrix and soil solution, respectively. The analysis also included pH and electrical conductivity and at some sites DOC. The investigations were carried out on sandy soils with more or less low pH values at four motorway sites in Germany. The average of daily traffic was about 50 000 up to 90 000 vehicles. Soil pore water was collected in two soil depths and at four distances from the road. The pH in general decreased with increasing distance from the roadside. The elevated pH near the roadside was presumably caused by deposition of dust and weathering residues of the road asphalt, as well as by infiltration of salt that was used during winter time. At these road sites, increased heavy metal concentrations in the soil matrix as well as in the soil solution were found. However, the concentrations seldom exceeded reference values of the German Soil Protection Act. The soil solution concentrations tended to increase from the road edge to 10 m distance, whereas the concentration in the soil matrix decreased. Elevated DOC concentrations corresponded with elevated Cu concentrations but did not substantially change this tendency. High soil water percolation rates were found near the roads. Thus, even low metal concentrations of percolation water could yield high metal loads in a narrow area beside the road.

Geochemical Characteristics of Heavy Metals in Riparian Sediment Pore Water of Songhua River, Northeast China

This study reports the geochemical characteristics of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), mercury (Hg), iron (Fe), and manganese (Mn) in the riparian sediment pore water of the Songhua River, Northeast China. In total, 36 pore water samples and 18 surface water samples from three typical sections were collected and analyzed in June 2009. Cluster analysis of heavy metals was performed to analyze the pollution sources of the metals. Results showed that Hg concentrations in the pore water were greater than those in the surface water, indicating a potential ability of Hg release from riparian sediment system to river water. However, concentrations of Fe and Mn in the surface water were greater than those in the pore water, demonstrating that the microenvironments of riparian and riverbed sediment systems were quite different. Variations of Zn, Cu, Pb and Ni between the surface and the pore water were different in each section. Most metals had similar horizontal and profile distribution characteristics in the three sections except for Zn and Ni. Hg, Fe and Mn concentrations in the pore water increased gradually with the increase in horizontal distance from water body, in contrast to this, Cu decreased, and Pb presented a fluctuating trend. With the increase in depth, Pb and Fe, Cu and Mn showed the same trends, and Hg showed a variable trend. The above distribution characteristics could mainly be attributed to the properties and the interactions of metals, pH and oxidation-reduction conditions, and the complex pollution sources and hydrologic regime in history. The probable sources of metals include the historical and ongoing discharge of industrial wastewater, mining activities, sewage irrigation for agricultural production, and atmospheric deposition from coal-fired plants.