ABSTRACT
This study investigated the dissolved trace metal contamination levels of Zn, Sr, B, Al, Ba, Fe, Mn, Li, V, Be, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mo, Ni, Se, and Pb in 23 surface waters of the Yellow River Delta (YRD) in China. Coefficients of variation with 66–260% reflected large spatial variations of concentrations of metals. Compared to drinking water guidelines established by the World Health Organization and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the primary trace metal pollution components (Al, B, V, and Zn) were above drinking water standard levels by 82.6%, 47.8%, 52.2%, and 52.2%, respectively. Preliminary risk assessments were determined via the Hazard Quotient (HQ) to evaluate the human health risk of these metals. HQingestion of V indicated potential deleterious health effects for residents. Hierarchical cluster results revealed that clusters 1, 2, and 3 were primarily affected by pollution from industrial and domestic activities, natural and agriculture activities, and oil fields, respectively. Principal component analysis results indicated Fe, Mn, Al, and Ba were controlled by natural sources, whereas anthropogenic activities led to high pollution levels of Al, B, V, Zn, and Sr.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
This study was supported by the 100 Talents Program of The Chinese Academy of Sciences. The authors thank Drs. Sun Zhenzhong, Zhao Guangshuai, and Wu Xiangdong for their field sampling.