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Comprehensive Scheme for Evaluation of Potentially Toxic Elements (PTEs) Pollution in Surface Sediments of Wetlands, Case Study: Anzali Wetland

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Abstract

Heavy metals are a serious concern in terms of their pollution in aquatic ecosystems because of their persistence, environmental toxicity and bioaccumulation. Evaluating the total concentration and mobility of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in surficial sediments of Anzali wetland was taken into consideration in this study. Geo-accumulation index, ecological risk index and effects-range-median quotient were calculated to monitor the pollution risks. Additionally, four-step chemical partitioning analysis was performed on samples from eastern parts of the wetland. Index values categorized the whole area within the moderately to non-contaminated class. PTEs Cd > Pb > As > Zn showed remarkable percentages of total concentration in mobile phases (higher bioavailability risks). High values of LOI (loss on ignition) up to 15% and low values of Fe (1.6–2.62%) in sediment samples (higher shares of organics phase compared with Fe–Mn oxides) confirmed the eutrophic conditions. Findings of this research confirm the necessity of including PTEs index analysis and total concentration data accompanied by chemical partitioning results in mid- and long-term decision-making process within the framework of wetlands monitoring plan.

Highlights

  • A comprehensive scheme for integral interpretation of metals risk in wetland sediments

  • High LOI and low Fe content in sediments confirm eutrophic conditions

  • Higher shares of PTEs in oxidizable phase rather than reducibles were seen

  • Negligible share of Cd in residual phase confirms its anthropogenic source

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All data are available in the manuscript.

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Funding

Authors would like to thank Department of Environment, Guilan Province for providing financial help (grant No. DOE14155).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Graduate Faculty of Environment, University of Tehran, #25, Azin Avenue, Ghods Street, Enghelab Square, Tehran, 1417853111, Iran

    Touraj Nasrabadi

  2. Department of Hydraulics and Environment, School of Civil Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran

    Ali Vosoogh

  3. Graduate Faculty of Environment, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

    Sanaz Tajziehchi, Ali Marefat & Abdolreza Karbassi

  4. Geo-Environmental Scientist, Perth, Australia

    Pouyan Abbasimaedeh

  5. Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey

    Mona Ghorashi

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  1. Touraj Nasrabadi
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  2. Ali Vosoogh
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  3. Sanaz Tajziehchi
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Correspondence to Touraj Nasrabadi.

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Nasrabadi, T., Vosoogh, A., Tajziehchi, S. et al. Comprehensive Scheme for Evaluation of Potentially Toxic Elements (PTEs) Pollution in Surface Sediments of Wetlands, Case Study: Anzali Wetland. Int J Environ Res 16, 96 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41742-022-00478-7

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