ABSTRACT
This study investigated the level of dissolved heavy metals in the water of Longhu Lake and focused on the speciation, mobility, and risks of heavy metals (Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, and Pb) in sediment. The levels of heavy metals in the water were found to be below the thresholds set by the Chinese safe drinking water standard. The highest average percentages of Cr, Ni, Zn, and As were bound with residual fractions, while Pb and Cu were bound with reducible fractions. Additionally, the highest percentage of Cd and Mn was bound to the acid-soluble fraction in the sediment. These findings suggest that Cd, Mn, Pb, and Cu likely originated from anthropogenic sources in the lake. There was a strong correlation between total organic carbon (TOC) and metal fractions in the sediment, indicating that TOC may play a role in transporting heavy metal fractions. Risk assessment code values for Cd and Mn indicated higher risks and mobility, while Ni, Cu, and Zn showed medium risks and mobility for aquatic biota. To mitigate heavy metal contamination, it is recommended to improve monitoring and regulation of urban runoff and inlet areas.
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This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.
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Mohammad Mazbah Uddin
Mohammad Mazbah Uddin, Postdoctoral Researcher, College of the Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China.
Guogan Peng
Guogang Peng, Postdoctoral Researcher, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Microbiome Engineering, Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China.
Fuliu Xu
Fuliu Xu, Professor, College of the Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China.
Lingfeng Huang
Lingfeng Huang, a professor of ecology, writes on both marine ecology and on marine ecosystem restoration. Among his recent books are Marine Ecology (3rd edition, Science Press, Beijing, 2010) and Coastal Marine Ecology in China: Research and Management (Science Press, Beijing, 2022).