Xiaolei Zhu

Heavy Metal Contamination in the Surface Sediments of Representative Limnetic Ecosystems in Eastern China

A comprehensive analysis of heavy metal pollution was conducted in the representative limnetic ecosystems of eastern China, which are subject to rapid economic development and population growth. The results demonstrated that the average contents with standard deviations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn in the surface sediments were 0.925 ± 0.936, 142 ± 46.8, 54.7 ± 29.1, 60.5 ± 21.6, 61.9 ± 36.0 and 192 ± 120u2005mg/kg dry wt., respectively, and that higher values were mainly observed in the southern portion of the study area, especially in the basins of Southeast Coastal Rivers (SCRB) and the Zhu River (ZRB). The six heavy metals in the surface sediments all had anthropogenic origins. In addition, the limnetic ecosystems, especially in the southern portion of the study area were found to be polluted by heavy metals, especially Cd. Overall, two hotspots of heavy metal pollution in the limnetic ecosystems of eastern China were found, one that consisted of the heavy pollution regions, SCRB and ZRB, and another composed of Cd pollution. These results indicate that heavy metal contamination, especially Cd, should be taken into account during development of management strategies to protect the aquatic environment in the limnetic ecosystems of eastern China, especially in the two aforementioned basins.

Evidence for organic phosphorus activation and transformation at the sediment–water interface during plant debris decomposition

The processes and mechanisms through which phosphorus (P) is released from sediment and organic P is transformed, induced by the decomposition of plant (duckweed (Lemma minor L.)) debris, were studied experimentally. In the simulation experiments, the dissolved oxygen concentration, pH, and oxidation-reduction potential at the water-sediment interface first decreased rapidly. The lowest oxidation-reduction potential reached was 225.4mV, and the solution became weakly acidic (pH5.14) and anoxic (dissolved oxygen concentration 0.17mg·L-1). The dissolved oxygen concentration, pH, and oxidation-reduction potential then became stable. The soluble reactive P, total dissolved P, and total P concentrations in the overlying water all increased rapidly because of the particulate P and dissolved organic P released as the plant debris decomposed. 31P NMR analysis of the solution showed that orthophosphate monoesters were the main organic P compounds in the sediment. The orthophosphate monoester and orthophosphate diester concentrations were higher during the first 7d of the experiment (at 71.2 and 15.3mg·kg-1, respectively) than later (60.8 and 14.6mg·kg-1, respectively). The decomposition of the duckweed could have mineralized the orthophosphate monoesters and orthophosphate diesters to give orthophosphate. The results indicated that the decomposition of aquatic plant debris is a key factor in the release of P from sediment even when external P is excluded. It is therefore necessary to remove plant debris from freshwater ecosystems to control the release of P from plant debris and sediment.

Distributions, fluxes, and toxicities of heavy metals in sediment pore water from tributaries of the Ziya River system, northern China

The distributions and mobilities of metals in pore water strongly influence the biogeochemical processes and bioavailabilities of metals at sediment–water interfaces. Heavy metal concentrations were measured in pore water samples from the Shaocun River (SR), the Wangyang River (WR), and the Xiao River (XR), tributaries of the Ziya River system, northern China. The aim was to assess heavy metal contamination in the system and the associated environmental risks. The mean Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn concentrations in all three tributaries were 0.373, 57.1, 37.7, 20.4, 14.0, and 90.6xa0μg/L, respectively. The calculated Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn diffusion fluxes in the rivers were −0.427 to 0.469, −71.8 to 42.5, 3.16 to 86.6, 5.29 to 14.0, 7.24 to 19.0, and −204 to 21.9xa0μg/(m2xa0day), respectively, showing that the pore water was a source of most of the metals to the water column. Only Cu and Pb in the XR and Cu in the WR exceeded the final chronic value recommended by the US Environmental Protection Agency, but the metals in the WR sediment could have caused toxic effects. These results are likely to be useful to the authorities responsible for sustainable river management.

Characteristics and Distribution of Phosphorus in Surface Sediments of Limnetic Ecosystem in Eastern China

Phosphorus (P) is an essential nutrient for aquatic organisms; however, excessive P inflow to limnetic ecosystems can induce eutrophication. P concentrations in the rivers, wetlands and lakes of Eastern China have been amplified by fertilizer and sewage inputs associated with the development of industry and agriculture. Yet, knowledge of the distribution and speciation of P is lacking at the regional scale. We determined the distribution and speciation of P in limnetic ecosystems in Eastern China using Standards, Measurements and Testing (SMT) and phosphorus nuclear magnetic resonance (31P-NMR). The results indicate that P pollution in surface sediments was serious. Inorganic P (Pi) was the primary drive of variation in total P (TP) among different river systems, and Pi accounted for 71% to 90% of TP in surface sediment in Eastern China. Also, the concentrations of TP and Pi varied among watersheds and Pi primarily drove the variation in TP in different watersheds. Sediments less than 10-cm deep served as the main P reservoir. Environmental factors affect the speciation and origin of P. NaOH-Pi, HCl-Pi and organic P (Po) were related to pH accordingly at the regional scale. The physicochemical properties of sediments from different limnetic ecosystems affect the P speciation. HCl-Pi was higher in wetland sediments than in riverine and lake sediments in Eastern China. Conversely, NaOH-Pi was lowest in wetland sediments. Total Po concentration was lower in riverine sediments than in other sediments, but Mono-P was higher, with an average concentration of 48 mg kg−1. Diesters-P was highest in lake sediments. By revealing the regional distribution of TP, Pi and Po, this study will support eutrophication management in Eastern China.

Heavy metals in surface sediments of the shallow lakes in eastern China: their relations with environmental factors and anthropogenic activities

The aquatic environment is affected by heavy metal pollution. This study was conducted to test the hypothesis that environmental factors and anthropogenic activities influence the distributions and the risks posed by heavy metals in surface sediments in shallow lakes in eastern China, which is an area affected by rapid urbanization, industrialization, and population growth. Total Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Se, and Zn concentrations in sediment samples were determined using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. The Igeo showed that sediments in the lakes were moderately polluted with Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn, and the EF method showed that Cd and Se were significantly enriched in lakes. The heavy metals were found to pose moderate risks in most of the lakes, except for Gaoyou Lake, Honghu Lake, Poyang Lake, and Weishan Lake. The RI method indicated that very high risks were posed in Dongting Lake and Poyang Lake. Cd was found to pose much higher levels of risk than the other metals. Significant correlations were found between the heavy metal concentrations and the total carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur concentrations. The gross domestic product represented anthropogenic activities well. The gross domestic product of an area and the gross domestic products of primary and secondary industries in an area all had significant relationships with the concentrations of Cu and Pb, indicating that anthropogenic activities have different impacts on pollution with different heavy metals. The gross domestic product index was found to be a driving force behind the pollution of lakes with heavy metals.

Phosphorus characteristics, distribution, and relationship with environmental factors in surface sediments of river systems in Eastern China

Phosphorus (P) is an essential nutrient for aquatic organisms. However, too much P discharged into limnetic ecosystems can induce eutrophication. The concentration of P in freshwater ecosystems has escalated in Eastern China due to overuse of fertilizer and excess emission of sewage, which is the result of the development of industry and agriculture in this area. However, little is known about the P characteristics and its environmental factors in river systems. Here, we present the results of P characterization and its relationships with environmental factors in Eastern China by applying SMT and 31P-NMR methods. The results showed that the concentrations of P in surface sediments varied with the river system, and more than 50xa0% of the samples had P concentrations exceeding 500xa0mgxa0kg−1. HCl-Pi was the dominant Pi in surface sediments, with the highest percentage (96.5xa0%) in the Yellow River System. Mono-P was the dominant Po in river sediments, followed by DNA-P. The PCA approach indicated that NaOH-Pi and ortho-P clustered in one group, with a second group including mono-P, diesters-P, and HCl-Pi. Phon-P and pyro-P belonged to different groups. On a regional scale, NaOH-Pi and Po showed a negative relationship with pH in sediments. Continuous eutrophication was induced by the presence of dams, and oxygen-consuming pollutants, such as NH3-N and CODcr, even when external P input was cut in heavily polluted rivers. The research revealed the characteristics of P in different river systems and proposed a conceptual model of P biogeochemical cycles in heavily polluted rivers. Results from this study may provide insight into P characteristics in Eastern China and would set a scientific basis for effective P management in developing countries.

Dynamics of heavy metals and phosphorus in the pore water of estuarine sediments following agricultural intensification in Chao Lake Valley

Previous research has revealed that agricultural intensification in the Chao Lake Valley since the 1980s has led to significant heavy metal and phosphorus (P) contamination of estuarine sediments in this region. However, the pore water plays a more important role than do sediments in the cycling of nutrients and metals in estuarine ecosystems. Average concentrations of Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, and P in the pore water of estuarine sediments were 0.634, 3.11, 4.98, 3.98, and 49.9xa0μgxa0L−1, respectively. Average diffusive fluxes of these elements from the pore water to overlying water were −0.015, 0.058, 0.768, −0.238, and 20.0xa0μgxa0m−2xa0d−1, respectively. Compared with similar studies, the values of heavy metal fluxes were low, indicating minimal diffusion between sediments and overlying waters; however, P diffusion from the sediment pore water to overlying water was high, indicating that the sediments may be a direct source of P to overlying water. Since P is a major cause of algal blooming in agricultural estuaries of Chao Lake, the obtained results could be useful in developing effective management strategies to control pollution in the Chao Lake Valley.

Heavy metal in sediments of Ziya River in northern China: distribution, potential risks, and source apportionment

The concentration partitioning between the sediment particle and the interstitial water phase plays an important role in controlling the toxicity of heavy metals in aquatic systems. The aim of this study was to assess the sediment quality in a polluted area of the Ziya River, Northern China. The contamination potential and bioavailability of six metals were determined from the concentrations of total metals and the bioavailable fractions. The results showed that the concentrations of Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn, and Pb exceeded the probable effect concentration at several sites. The high geoaccumulation indices showed that the sediments were seriously contaminated by Cd. The ratio of acid-volatile sulfide (AVS) to simultaneously extracted metal (SEM) was higher than 1, which indicated that the availability of metals in sediments was low. The risk assessment of interstitial waters confirmed that there was little chance of release of metals associated with acid-volatile sulfide into the water column. Values of the interstitial water criteria toxicity unit indicated that none of the concentrations of the studied metals exceeded the corresponding water quality thresholds of the US Environmental Protection Agency. Positive matrix factorization showed that the major sources of metals were related to anthropogenic activities. Further, if assessments are based on total heavy metal concentrations, the toxicity of heavy metals in sediment may be overestimated.

Heavy metal speciation, risk, and bioavailability in the sediments of rivers with different pollution sources and intensity.

A comprehensive analysis of heavy metal speciation, risk, and bioavailability in the sediments of three rivers in northern China (Shaocun River (SR), Wangyang River (WR), and Xiao River (XR)) was conducted. The results showed that higher pollution input resulting from urbanization and industrialization caused higher heavy metal contents and bioavailable proportion in the studied sediments. Total contents of all studied metals (Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in the sediments of SR, WR, and XR were 270.31, 902.62, and 2367.46xa0mg/kg, respectively. The average percentages of bioavailable fractions were 31.16, 61.73, and 81.69xa0%, respectively. Cr, Ni, and Pb were all mainly observed in the B4 (residual) fraction in the studied sediments, with an average percentage of 42.03, 48.19, and 55.08xa0%, respectively. Cu was mainly observed in the B2 (reducible) fraction (40.53xa0%). Zn was mainly observed in the B1 (exchangeable/acid soluble/carbonate) fraction (36.01xa0%), resulting in medium or high risk associated with Zn in the sediments of SR, WR, and XR. Sedimentary heavy metal risk and bioavailability associated with regional urbanization and industrialization should be taken into consideration with respect to the health of aquatic ecosystems.

Phosphorus speciation of sediments from lakes of different tropic status in Eastern China

Information about the chemical composition of phosphorus (P) in sediment is critical for understanding P dynamics and eutrophication in lake ecosystems. Eutrophication as a result of P pollution still persists so we chose to determine the P characteristics of sediments from ten lakes of different trophic status and the relationships between P fractions and environmental factors. The results show that the Standards, Measurements and Testing (SMT) method combined with 31P-nuclear magnetic resonance (31P-NMR) can efficiently show the P characteristics of sediment. Phosphorus concentrations in sediments decreased as the trophic status of the lake improved. Inorganic P (Pi) was the dominant form of total P (TP) in most of the lake sediments and was mainly comprised of HCl-Pi, a stable Pi fraction. Results of 31P-NMR analysis show that the extracts were dominated by ortho-P (36.4–94.8xa0%) and mono-P (4.0–36.2xa0%), with smaller amounts of diester-P (.6–23.1xa0%), pyro-P (.2–4.4xa0%), and phon-P (.3–.7xa0%). Analysis of the relationships between the P composition and the trophic status of the lakes indicated that the bioavailability of P forms has an influence on the surface water trophic conditions and the health of aquatic ecosystems.