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Geochemical evaluation of present-day Tuul River sediments, Ulaanbaatar basin, Mongolia

Environmental Monitoring and Assessment volume 185, pages 2869–2881 (2013)Cite this article

Abstract

The Tuul River flows through the Ulaanbaatar basin of Mongolia and is the main source of water for the capital city, Ulaanbaatar. The Tuul catchment can be divided into three parts around Ulaanbaatar (upper, middle, and lower), according to the extent of urbanization. Sixteen surface water and groundwater samples were collected to evaluate present-day water quality and 34 stream sediment samples taken to examine their geochemical composition in relation to provenance and to assess the impact of urban activity on heavy metal accumulation. Groundwater quality in the upper and central water sources was adequate, but high concentrations of NO −3 were found in the lower water source. Heavy metal concentrations in the sediments are evaluated by comparison with average upper continental crust (UCC) values, coupled with ecological risk assessment by reference to sediment quality guidelines (SQG). The results show average abundances of potentially toxic metals such as As, Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni, Cr, and V are higher in the middle part (within the city) than in the upper and lower parts. However, all three parts show depletion in some chalcophile and high field strength elements (Cu, Ni, Cr, Sr, Nb, Zr, Th, Sc) relative to UCC, indicating that the river sediments were derived from a highly felsic crustal source. The assessment using SQG shows As and Cr are present in levels that cause adverse aquatic biological effects. Although concentrations of Pb, Zn, Cu, and Ni are generally below their respective threshold effect levels, in the middle reaches, values increase and border on the probable effect level. This suggests significant anthropogenic contamination in the urban areas, increasing values above a naturally low regional background.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by a Monbukagakusho (Japanese government scholarship) which is gratefully acknowledged. Our thanks also to Dr. B.P. Roser of the Department of Geoscience, Shimane University, for comments on the manuscript; to Prof. D. Nasandulam (Mongolian State University of Agriculture) and B. Urnaa (Water Supply and Sewerage Authority) for their support during sample survey; and to D.T. Jayawardana and N. Purevjav for their assistance and discussion.

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  1. Department of Geoscience, Shimane University, 1060, Matsue, 690-8504, Japan

    Banzragch Dalai & Hiroaki Ishiga

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  1. Banzragch Dalai
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  2. Hiroaki Ishiga
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Correspondence to Banzragch Dalai.

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Dalai, B., Ishiga, H. Geochemical evaluation of present-day Tuul River sediments, Ulaanbaatar basin, Mongolia. Environ Monit Assess 185, 2869–2881 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-012-2757-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-012-2757-z

Keywords

  • Geochemistry
  • Heavy metals
  • Provenance
  • Pollution
  • Urban activity
  • Quality guideline