title: Pollution characteristics and ecological risk of heavy metals in ballast tank sediment.
abstract: This study was conducted to illustrate the contents and potential ecological risk of heavy metals in ballast tank sediment. Ballast sediment samples were collected from six ships during their stay in shipyard, and the heavy metals were determined by inductive coupled plasma emission spectrometer. Results showed that high concentrations of heavy metals were detected in all six sediment samples following the order: Zn > Cu > Pb > Cr > As > Cd > Hg. The geoaccumulation index explained the average pollution degree of heavy metals decreased as the following: Zn > Pb > Cu > As > Cr > Hg, and the environmental risk indices suggested that concentration found of Zn, Pb, and Cu might be highly toxic to aquatic organisms. Principal component and correlation analysis indicated the metal pollution in ballast tank sediment was affected by complex and different contamination mechanisms, and the corrosion of ballast tank played an important role in this process. In conclusion, this study is very useful for comprehensive consideration and efficient management of ballast tank sediment in order to protect the marine environment.
authors.affiliation: College of Ocean Science and Engineering, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai, 201306, China.
authors.forename: Daolun
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.affiliation: College of Ocean Science and Engineering, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai, 201306, China.
authors.forename: Xiaofei
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Jiangyin Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau, Jiangyin, 214442, China.
authors.forename: Wen
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Tian
authors.affiliation: College of Ocean Science and Engineering, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai, 201306, China.
authors.forename: Qun
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Qian
authors.affiliation: Jiangyin Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau, Jiangyin, 214442, China.
authors.forename: Hao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.affiliation: College of Ocean Science and Engineering, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai, 201306, China.
authors.forename: Dexiang
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.affiliation: College of Ocean Science and Engineering, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai, 201306, China. bylv@shmtu.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Baoyi
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lv
mesh_terms: D017753:Ecosystem; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000032:analysis*; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis*; D018570:Risk Assessment
chemical_list: D019216:Metals, Heavy
keywords: Ballast tank sediment; Heavy metal; Multivariate analysis; Potential source; Risk assessment; Sediment management