Advanced Search
Pollution history and potential ecological risk assessment of heavy metals in core sediments in Hulun Lake during the past 150 years
Received:August 22, 2017  
View Full Text  View/Add Comment  Download reader
KeyWord:heavy metals;sediments;sources;risk assessment;Hulun Lake
Author NameAffiliationE-mail
SUN De-yao Key Laboratory of Geographical Resources and Environmental Remote Sensing, Harbin Normal University, Harbin 150025, China  
ZANG Shu-ying Key Laboratory of Geographical Resources and Environmental Remote Sensing, Harbin Normal University, Harbin 150025, China  
SUN Hua-jie Key Laboratory of Geographical Resources and Environmental Remote Sensing, Harbin Normal University, Harbin 150025, China  
ZHANG Nan-nan Key Laboratory of Geographical Resources and Environmental Remote Sensing, Harbin Normal University, Harbin 150025, China  
ZHANG Ke Key Laboratory of Geographical Resources and Environmental Remote Sensing, Harbin Normal University, Harbin 150025, China  
SUN Li Key Laboratory of Geographical Resources and Environmental Remote Sensing, Harbin Normal University, Harbin 150025, China sunli_wabb@163.com 
Hits: 2636
Download times: 2974
Abstract:
      Understanding the evolution process of the historical environment is the foundation of lake ecosystem restoration. Heavy metals of Cr, Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, Cd, As, and Pb, fine particle sizes of clay, as well as 210Pb dating data were measured in the central core sediments of Hulun Lake, due to the scarce research of its historical pollution characteristics. The vertical distribution, possible sources, and potential ecological risk assessment of heavy metals were investigated using Pearson correlation analysis and principal component analysis. Results showed that the contents of all heavy metals were relatively low, and were derived from a natural input source from 1865-1973. Heavy metal concentrations increased from 1973-1992, while after 1994, all metals except for As and Pb showed a decreasing tendency with regard to the sources of natural and anthropogenic input. Single element pollution coefficients were in the order of Cd > As > Pb > Cu > Co > Cr > Mn > Zn, with the major and harmful ecological risk factors being mainly from Cd and As. The pollution coefficient of As ranged from 30~60 after 1992, which indicated a medium potential ecological risk, while other metals were minor ecological hazards. Therefore, heavy metals in the core sediments of Hulun Lake had potential risks, and appropriate attention must be paid to the pollution control of the lake. The current study can provide reference and basic data for the improvement of the ecological environment in Hulun Lake.