Seasonal heavy metal speciation in sediment and source tracking via Cu isotopic composition in Huangpu River, Shanghai, China

Yao-Jen Tu; Peng-Cheng Luo; Ya-Long Li; Jin Liu; Ting-Ting Sun; Gao-Jun Li; Yan-Ping Duan

doi:10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115068

Seasonal heavy metal speciation in sediment and source tracking via Cu isotopic composition in Huangpu River, Shanghai, China

Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2023 Jul 15:260:115068. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115068. Epub 2023 May 29.

Authors

Yao-Jen Tu¹, Peng-Cheng Luo², Ya-Long Li³, Jin Liu², Ting-Ting Sun², Gao-Jun Li⁴, Yan-Ping Duan¹

Affiliations

¹ School of Environmental and Geographical Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, No. 100, Guilin Rd., Shanghai 200234, China; Yangtze River Delta Urban Wetland Ecosystem National Field Observation and Research Station, Shanghai Normal University, No. 100 Guilin Rd., Shanghai 200234, China; Institute of Urban Study, Shanghai Normal University, No. 100, Guilin Rd., Shanghai 200234, China.
² School of Environmental and Geographical Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, No. 100, Guilin Rd., Shanghai 200234, China.
³ School of Environmental and Geographical Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, No. 100, Guilin Rd., Shanghai 200234, China; Yangtze River Delta Urban Wetland Ecosystem National Field Observation and Research Station, Shanghai Normal University, No. 100 Guilin Rd., Shanghai 200234, China. Electronic address: yalongli@shnu.edu.cn.
⁴ School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China.

PMID: 37257348
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115068

Abstract

The present study systematically analyzed and evaluated the variations in chemical speciation, pollution assessment, and source identification of heavy metals in sediments of Huangpu River. The methods employed included heavy metal concentration, chemical speciation and Cu isotopic compositions analysis. Results showed that the chemical speciation of sediment-bound heavy metals, characterized by significant seasonal variation, shifted from non-residual fractions dominating in spring and summer to residual fractions dominating in autumn and winter. Precipitation was identified as an important factor influencing the chemical speciation of sediment-bound heavy metals. Furthermore, ratio of the secondary phase to the primary phase, RSP (=C_non-residual/C_residual) values in Huangpu River sediments were higher than 1 in spring and summer, indicating that sediment-bound heavy metals in Huangpu River were mainly composed of non-residual fractions and could potentially be released into the river water. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that navigation, traffic, agricultural, and industrial activities could be the potential sources of heavy metal pollution. Notably, the δ⁶⁵Cu values in Huangpu River sediments were observed to be isotopically lighter (from -0.37 to +0.18 ‰), suggesting that navigation might be the primary pollution source. These results will not only provide guidance in reducing heavy metal concentrations, but also serve as a crucial basis for policy making regarding heavy metal control.

Keywords: Chemical speciation; Cu isotopic composition; Heavy metal; Huangpu River sediment; Seasonal variation.

MeSH terms

China
Environmental Monitoring / methods
Geologic Sediments / chemistry
Metals, Heavy* / analysis
Risk Assessment
Rivers / chemistry
Seasons
Water Pollutants, Chemical* / analysis

Substances

Water Pollutants, Chemical
Metals, Heavy