In the present study, concentrations of 23 metallic elements (Al, Fe, K, Mg, Ti, Mn, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, As, Sr, Zr, Mo, Cd, Ba, W, Hg, Pb and U) were determined in superficial sediments from 20 sites within the Tien Hai nature reserve of the Red River delta. An integrated approach including correlation analysis (CA), principal components analysis (PCA) and positive matrix factorization (PMF) was combined to identify and quantify the sources of these metals. The results indicated that the correlation analysis was able to identify both allochthonous and authigenous origin of metals while the remaining methods were unable to identify these origins. With the help of CA, the PMF model performed better at the source identification of metals than the PCA. The results of PMF demonstrated that weathering products formed on different parent rocks were the biggest contributor to natural sources of metals in the superficial sediments, while agricultural activities were regarded as the major contributor to anthropogenic sources of metals. These findings could provide a scientific basis for environmental protection authority to prevent and control the sediment metal pollution. Accordingly, application of organic amendments and reduction of inorganic fertilizer should be encouraged to minimize metal accumulation in sediments.
Keywords: Metals; Red River Delta; Sediment; Source apportionment.
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