Distribution patterns, risk assessment and potential sources of heavy metals in sediment in the Qiongzhou Strait, China

Xiayu Ouyang; Zhe Wang; Xiaoshou Liu

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116481

Distribution patterns, risk assessment and potential sources of heavy metals in sediment in the Qiongzhou Strait, China

Mar Pollut Bull. 2024 May 10:203:116481. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116481. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Xiayu Ouyang¹, Zhe Wang¹, Xiaoshou Liu²

Affiliations

¹ College of Marine Life Sciences and Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China; Key Laboratory of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ministry of Education of China, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China.
² College of Marine Life Sciences and Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China; Key Laboratory of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ministry of Education of China, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China. Electronic address: liuxs@ouc.edu.cn.

PMID: 38733891
DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116481

Abstract

Risk assessment and pollutant source analysis are crucial tools for the management and protection of coastal ecosystems. The distribution patterns, risk assessment, and potential sources of heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Hg, and Pb) in surface sediment were analyzed in the Qiongzhou Strait, China, in summer and autumn of 2022. Heavy metals in autumn showed higher ecological risk than that in summer. Seasonal shifts in ocean currents may result in variations in heavy metal accumulation and dispersion. Cd and Hg were the priority heavy metals found, and according to the Positive Matrix Factorization results, the study area contains five sources of pollution, with natural sources, shipping-related activities, and industrial activities being the primary contributors. This study indicated that pollutants from adjacent areas should be considered for managing the environmental quality of Qiongzhou Strait.

Keywords: Heavy metals; Pollution risk assessment; Pollution sources; Qiongzhou Strait.