Spatial Distribution, Risk Index, and Correlation of Heavy Metals in the Chuhe River (Yangtze Tributary): Preliminary Research Analysis of Surface Water and Sediment Contamination

作者：Adharsh Rajasekar, Raphinos Tackmore Murava, Eyram Norgbey, Xukun Zhu · 发表于：Applied Sciences · 年份：2024 · DOI：10.3390/app14020904 · 被引用次数：45 · 研究领域：Heavy metals in environment、Water Quality and Pollution Assessment、Geochemistry and Geologic Mapping

This comprehensive study aimed to evaluate the water quality and sediment contamination in the Chuhe River in Nanjing. The spatial assessment of 10 samples collected in September highlighted that, in surface water, Copper (Cu) > Nickel (Ni) > Zinc (Zn) > Chromium (Cr) > Lead (Pb) > Arsenic (As) > Cadmium (Cd) > Mercury (Hg), whereas in sediments, Zn > Cr > Cu > Pb > Ni > As > Cd > Hg. The coefficient of variation (CV) for Ni and Zn in surface water was >15, whereas As, Cu, Pb, and Ni had a CV that was higher than 15 in sediments, indicating variability in contamination sources. The Pollution Load Index values ranged between 2.16 and 3.05, reflecting varying contamination levels across samples. The Geoaccumulation Index data also showed moderate-to-considerable contamination, especially for elements such as Cd and Cu. Correlation analyses in water and sediments unearthed significant relationships, with notable links between Cu and Pb in the water and strong correlations between As and Cu and between Cr and Ni in sediments. In sediments, Total Nitrogen and Phosphorus were significantly correlated with As, Cu, Pb, and Ni. The Potential Ecological Response Index for sediments indicated that they are at medium to high risk (307.47 ± 33.17) and could be potentially detrimental to aquatic life in the tributary. The tributary, influenced by agricultural runoff, residential areas, and other anthropogenic activities, showed that despite Neme...