A geochemical study of Beijiang River sediments was carried out to analyze the concentrations, distribution, accumulation and potential sources of the seldom monitored trace elements (SMTEs: Sc, V, Co, Ga, Y, Sn and Sb). The mean concentrations of Sc, V, Co, Ga, Y, Sn and Sb were 8.2, 60.3, 9.6, 17.2, 28.6, 85.6 and 39.0 mg/kg, respectively. The concentrations of the SMTEs, together with their spatial distribution showed that the SMTEs were mainly due to anthropogenic inputs from the metal smelting industries and local mining activities in the upper region of the river. The assessment by geoaccumulation index indicates that Sc, V, Co, Ga and Y are at the unpolluted level, Sn is at the ‘strongly contaminated’ level, and Sb is at the ‘extremely contaminated’ level. The pollution level of the SMTEs is: Sb > Sn > Y > Ga > Co > V > Sc. The results of correlation analysis and principal component analysis indicated the Sn and Sb were positively correlated with each other, indicating a common source in sediments. In conclusion, our results indicate that the sediments in Beijiang River have been severely contaminated by Sn and Sb.
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Research Article|
June 01 2012
The distribution, accumulation and potential source of seldom monitored trace elements in sediments of Beijiang River, South China
Bo Gao;
1State Key Laboratory of Simulation and Regulation of Water Cycle in River Basin, China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, Beijing, 100038, China
E-mail: gaobo@iwhr.com
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Jin Lu;
Jin Lu
1State Key Laboratory of Simulation and Regulation of Water Cycle in River Basin, China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, Beijing, 100038, China
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Huai-Dong Zhou;
Huai-Dong Zhou
1State Key Laboratory of Simulation and Regulation of Water Cycle in River Basin, China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, Beijing, 100038, China
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Shu-Hua Yin;
Shu-Hua Yin
1State Key Laboratory of Simulation and Regulation of Water Cycle in River Basin, China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, Beijing, 100038, China
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Hong Hao
Hong Hao
1State Key Laboratory of Simulation and Regulation of Water Cycle in River Basin, China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, Beijing, 100038, China
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Water Sci Technol (2012) 65 (12): 2118–2124.
Article history
Received:
October 22 2011
Accepted:
January 31 2012
Citation
Bo Gao, Jin Lu, Huai-Dong Zhou, Shu-Hua Yin, Hong Hao; The distribution, accumulation and potential source of seldom monitored trace elements in sediments of Beijiang River, South China. Water Sci Technol 1 June 2012; 65 (12): 2118–2124. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.2012.128
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