LIJun,JIAOLiang,LIKai-ming,et al.Characteristics and Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metal Contamination from Urban River Surface Sediments in the Lanzhou Reach of the Yellow River[J].China Water & Wastewater,2023,39(15):81-88.
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Characteristics and Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metal Contamination from Urban River Surface Sediments in the Lanzhou Reach of the Yellow River

China Water & Wastewater[ISSN:1000-4062/CN:12-1073/TU] volume: 第39卷 Number: 第15期 Page: 81-88 Column: Date of publication: 2023-08-01
Author(s):
LI　Jun1; 2;  JIAO　Liang2;  LI　Kai-ming1;  ZANG　Fei3;  TAI　Xi-sheng1;  ZHOU　Fa-yuan1;  TUO　Xin-ying1;  YANG　Yun-qin1
（1. College of Urban Environment， Lanzhou City University， Lanzhou 730070， China； 2. Gansu Province Key Laboratory of Resource Environment and Sustainable Development of Oasis， Northwest Normal University， Lanzhou 730070， China； 3. College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology， Lanzhou University， Lanzhou 730020， China）
Keywords:
Yellow River basin;  urban river surface sediments;  heavy metal;  health risk assessment
Abstract:
To reveal the contamination characteristics and health risk of heavy metals in the urban river surface sediments from the Yellow River basin, the present study determined the concentrations of 8 heavy metal elements (Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Hg and Pb) in the urban river surface sediments from the Lanzhou reach of the Yellow River. The contamination factor, contamination degree, pollution load index, and sediment quality guidelines were employed to assess the contamination status and ecotoxicological risk of heavy metals in the sediments, and human health risk was evaluated based on the USEPA health risk assessment models. The results indicated that the mean contents of Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Hg and Pb were 306.60 mg/kg, 115.71 mg/kg, 23.84 mg/kg, 58.63 mg/kg, 9.03 mg/kg, 0.70 mg/kg, 0.09 mg/kg and 55.90 mg/kg, respectively. The contamination levels of Cu, Zn and Hg were low to moderate, while the contamination levels of Cr, Ni, As, Cd and Pb were considerable to very high contamination. Cr and Ni in the sediment posed adverse biological effects according to the sediment quality guideline, and the total contamination degree of the heavy metal was between considerable degree and very high degree. Health risk assessment indicated that heavy metal elements in the sediments did not pose a non-carcinogenic threat to children and adults, but posed an acceptable carcinogenic risk. Children are at greater risk than adults when exposed to heavy metals, and thus more attention should be paid to children’s health.
Last Update: 2023-08-01