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The legacy of lead (Pb) in fluvial bed sediments of an urban drainage basin, Oahu, Hawaii

Environmental Science and Pollution Research volume 23, pages 5495–5506 (2016)Cite this article

Abstract

The study of fluvial bed sediments is essential for deciphering the impact of anthropogenic activities on water quality and drainage basin integrity. In this study, a systematic sampling design was employed to characterize the spatial variation of lead (Pb) concentrations in bed sediment of urban streams in the Palolo drainage basin, southeastern Oahu, Hawaii. Potentially bioavailable Pb was assessed with a dilute 0.5 N HCl extraction of the <63 μm grain-size fraction from the upper bed sediment layer of 169 samples from Palolo, Pukele, and Waiomao streams. Contamination of bed sediments was associated with the direct transport of legacy Pb from the leaded gasoline era to stream channels via a dense network of storm drains linked to road surfaces throughout the basin. The Palolo Stream had the highest median Pb concentration (134 mg/kg), and the greatest road and storm drain densities, the greatest population, and the most vehicle numbers. Lower median Pb concentrations were associated with the less impacted Pukele Stream (24 mg/kg), and Waiomao Stream (7 mg/kg). The median Pb enrichment ratio values followed the sequence of Palolo (68) > Pukele (19) > Waiomao (8). Comparisons to sediment quality guidelines and potential toxicity estimates using a logistic regression model (LRM) indicated a significant potential risk of Palolo Stream bed sediments to bottom-dwelling organisms.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geography, Portland State University, 1721 SW Broadway, Portland, Oregon, 97201, USA

    Veronica K. Hotton

  2. Geomorphology Laboratory, Department of Geography, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2424 Maile Way, Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA

    Ross A. Sutherland

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  1. Veronica K. Hotton
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  2. Ross A. Sutherland
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Correspondence to Ross A. Sutherland.

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Responsible editor: Philippe Garrigues

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Hotton, V.K., Sutherland, R.A. The legacy of lead (Pb) in fluvial bed sediments of an urban drainage basin, Oahu, Hawaii. Environ Sci Pollut Res 23, 5495–5506 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-015-5777-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-015-5777-8

Keywords

  • Lead (Pb)
  • Bed sediment
  • Urban drainage basin
  • Contamination
  • Toxicity
  • Sediment quality guidelines