Assessment of heavy metal contamination in the surface sediments: A reexamination into the offshore environment in China.
The contents of Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Cr, Hg and As in the surface sediments of over 668 sites were monitored in a comprehensive program for assessing the degree of heavy-metal pollution and adverse biological effects of the offshore sediments in China. The contamination factor and geoaccumulation index indicated that As and Pb might be two of the most influential pollution loading in these metals. Cluster analysis separated 19 areas in China's near seas into 7 groups with different pollution characteristic, where the sediments along Zhejiang coast were the most highly-contaminated. Based on biological adverse effects index and sediment quality guideline for As, nearly half of sites in China's near seas induced slight adverse biological effects. With correlation analysis, self-organizing map and factor analysis, different sources as well as various adsorption mechanisms/anthropogenic factors were suggested to be important roles in altering the concentration of heavy metals in the sediments.
Third Institute of Oceanography, State Oceanic Administration, No. 178, Daxue Road, Siming District, Xiamen 361005, Fujian, China.
Hongzhe
H
Chen
Third Institute of Oceanography, State Oceanic Administration, No. 178, Daxue Road, Siming District, Xiamen 361005, Fujian, China. Electronic address: wangjigang@tio.org.cn.
Jigang
J
Wang
Third Institute of Oceanography, State Oceanic Administration, No. 178, Daxue Road, Siming District, Xiamen 361005, Fujian, China.
Jinmin
J
Chen
Third Institute of Oceanography, State Oceanic Administration, No. 178, Daxue Road, Siming District, Xiamen 361005, Fujian, China.
Hui
H
Lin
Third Institute of Oceanography, State Oceanic Administration, No. 178, Daxue Road, Siming District, Xiamen 361005, Fujian, China.
Cai
C
Lin
D002681:China; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis*; D009792:Oceans and Seas; D018570:Risk Assessment; D045483:Rivers / Q000737:chemistry*; D012623:Seawater / Q000737:chemistry*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
D019216:Metals, Heavy; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
Biological adverse effects index; China's near seas; Contamination factor; Geoaccumulation index; Heavy metals; Surface sediment