[Environmental Characteristics and Source Apportionment of Heavy Metals in the Sediments of a River-Lake System]

In this study, the geochemical characteristics and ecological risks of heavy metals in the sediments of a river-lake system were comprehensively identified and the spatial distribution was analyzed. Meanwhile, the potential sources of heavy metals in the sediments were apportioned using the positive matrix factorization model (PMF). The elements Cd, Cu, and Zn were identified as the main pollutants in the sediments of the river-lake system; in particular, Cd indicated an ecological risk. Compared with receiving lakes, the river is more polluted and poses a more significant risk. Spatial analysis of the lake suggested that the entrance of rivers had a relatively higher pollution degree and risk, indicating that rivers may be an important channel to transfer pollutants into the lake. PMF modelling showed that the heavy metals in the sediments were mainly associated with human activities (55.7%), including industrial emissions (20.3%), fertilizer application (19.5%), and aquaculture (15.9%).