The trace metal pollution of sediments in Chaohu Lake, one of the most highly eutrophic lakes in East China, was investigated. Surface sediment (0–5 cm) samples were collected from 35 different positions and analyzed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry to determine trace metal contents. Results showed that the mean content of trace metals was as follows: Cr, 85.09 mg kg−1; Cu, 34.49 mg kg−1; Ni, 26.46 mg kg−1; Pb, 34.17 mg kg−1 and Zn, 107.46 mg kg−1. The trace metal concentrations from different sampling sites displayed spatial diversity; the heavily polluted sampling sites were close to where estuaries flow in to the lake. A four-step sequential extraction was used to examine the partitioning of the trace metals. Results demonstrated that the percentage of the species bound to the oxidizable phase for all trace metals ranged from 15.6 to 37.7%, while for Cu, Cr and Ni, the main forms were residual (41.3, 62.3 and 69.8%, respectively). Trace metals in the oxidizable fraction may mainly exist in the form of sulfides. The ecological potential risks of trace metals decreased as follows: Pb > Zn > Cu > Cr > Ni.
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Research Article|
June 01 2013
Mobility, binding behavior and potential risks of trace metals in the sediments of the fifth largest freshwater lake, China
Guolian Li;
Guolian Li
1CAS Key Laboratory of Crust-Mantle Materials and Environment, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
2Department of Environment Engineering, Anhui Institute of Architecture & Industry, Hefei 230601, China
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Guijian Liu;
1CAS Key Laboratory of Crust-Mantle Materials and Environment, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
E-mail: lgj@ustc.edu.cn
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Chuncai Zhou;
Chuncai Zhou
1CAS Key Laboratory of Crust-Mantle Materials and Environment, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
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Yu Kang;
Yu Kang
1CAS Key Laboratory of Crust-Mantle Materials and Environment, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
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Wanqing Yuan;
Wanqing Yuan
1CAS Key Laboratory of Crust-Mantle Materials and Environment, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
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Fazhi Xie
Fazhi Xie
1CAS Key Laboratory of Crust-Mantle Materials and Environment, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
2Department of Environment Engineering, Anhui Institute of Architecture & Industry, Hefei 230601, China
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Water Sci Technol (2013) 67 (11): 2503–2510.
Article history
Received:
August 21 2012
Accepted:
January 14 2013
Citation
Guolian Li, Guijian Liu, Chuncai Zhou, Yu Kang, Wanqing Yuan, Fazhi Xie; Mobility, binding behavior and potential risks of trace metals in the sediments of the fifth largest freshwater lake, China. Water Sci Technol 1 June 2013; 67 (11): 2503–2510. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.2013.099
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