Authors: Xuelu Gao Fengxia Zhou HonKit Lui JiannYuh Lou ChenTung Arthur Chen Wen Zhuang
Publish Date: 2015/10/30
Volume: 23, Issue: 11, Pages: 10494-10503
Abstract
The concentration and geochemical fractionation of six trace metals related with environmental quality assessment namely Cd Cr Cu Ni Pb and Zn in 30 surface sediments from both inshore and offshore areas of the Taiwan Strait were measured to investigate their distribution characteristics evaluate their potential mobility and assess their pollution status The geoaccumulation index results indicated that on average the studied metals presented an order of Cd Pb Ni Zn Cu Cr and were practically in uncontaminated status except Cd The results of the sequential extraction analysis indicated that on average the studied metals were mostly accumulated in residual fraction except Cd whose concentration was the highest in the acid soluble fraction presenting a high risk to the environment and their mobility decreased in the sequence of Cd Pb Ni Cu Zn Cr Based on the mean probable effect level quotients the combination of the studied metals had an 8 probability of being toxic at two sampling sites and had a 21 probability of being toxic at the rest of sites The spatial distribution of the studied metals in total concentrations and different geochemical fractions corroborated the previous findings about the possible sediment transportation routes in and around the Taiwan StraitThis study was cosupported by the Ministry of Science and Technology of Taiwan MOST 1032611M110010 NSC 1012611M110010MY3 the Taiwan’s Aim for the Top University Program 04C030204 the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences XDA11020102 and the National Natural Science Foundation of China 41376083 The assistance of Ms Hui Gao in the sample preparation is greatly appreciated Our thanks also go to three anonymous reviewers who provided constructive comments which helped improve the manuscript
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