Chemical partitioning of heavy metal contaminants in sediments of the Pearl River Estuary

Authors: Li, Xiangdong; Shen, Zhenguo; Wai, Onyx W. H.; Li, Yok-sheung

Source: Chemical Speciation and Bioavailability, Volume 12, Number 1, February 2000 , pp. 17-25(9)

Publisher: Science Reviews 2000 Ltd

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Abstract:

Sequential extraction was used to study the operationally determined chemical forms of four heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Ni and Co) and their spatial distribution in the sediments of the Pearl River Estuary. It was found that the residual fraction was the most important phase for the four metals in these sediments. Among non-residual fractions, Zn, Ni and Co were mainly associated with the Fe-Mn oxide fraction while Cu was associated with the organic fraction. The Zn bound to the Fe-Mn oxide fraction had significant relationships with reducible Mn and reducible Fe concentrations (Fe-Mn oxides), suggesting that Fe-Mn oxides may be the main carriers of Zn from the fluvial environment to the marine body. There was a significant relationship between Cu bound to the organic fraction and sediment organic contents. The Zn bound to the Fe-Mn oxide fraction and Cu bound to the organic fraction showed general distinctive decrease from the west side to the east side of the estuary, and from upstream in the north to the sea in the south. This was in the same trend with the total Zn and Cu concentrations in these sediments. The results may reflect the anthropogenic inputs of heavy metals to the top sediments from recent rapid industrial development and urbanisation in the surrounding area.

Keywords: heavy metals; sequential extraction; chemical forms; sediments; estuary; the Pearl River; China

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3184/095422900782775607

Affiliations: 1: Department of Civil & Structural Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong

Publication date: 2000-02-10

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Chemical Speciation & Bioavailability covers a rapidly expanding area in environmental science.
Research on the interactions between the chemical forms and behaviour of toxic compounds and their subsequent biological uptake, metabolism and ecological fate involves many scientific fields. These studies are often published in discipline-specific journals, leading to inadequate review and information scatter. This situation hinders both the development of an international community of experienced colleagues and the open flow of information and discussion. Additionally, the importance of speciation and bioavailability research to the development of pollution law and control technologies is being increasingly appreciated by environmental regulatory agencies throughout the world.
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Chemical partitioning of heavy metal contaminants in sediments of the Pearl River Estuary

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