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Spatial distribution and seasonal variations of heavy metal contamination in surface waters of Liaohe River, Northeast China

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Abstract

Heavy metal pollutants are a worldwide concern due to slow decomposition, biocondensation, and negative effects on human health. We investigated seasonal and spatial variations of the five heavy metals and evaluated their health risk in the Liaohe River, Northeast China. A total of 324 surface water samples collected from 2009 to 2010 were analyzed. Levels (high to low) of heavy metals in the Liaohe River were: zinc (Zn) > chromium (Cr) > copper (Cu) > cadmium (Cd) > mercury (Hg). Spatial and seasonal changes impacting concentrations of Cu and Zn were significant, but not significant for Cr, Cd and Hg. The highest concentrations of heavy metals were: Hg at Liuheqiao, Cu at Fudedian, Zn at Tongjiangkou, Cr at Mahushan, and Cd at Shenglitang. The highest concentrations of Hg and Cr were found in the wet period, Cu and Cd in the level period, and Zn in the dry period. The surface water of a tributary was an important accumulation site for heavy metals. Health risks from carcinogens and non-carcinogens increased from upstream to downstream in the mainstream of the Liaohe River. The total health risk for one person in the Liaohe River exceeded acceptable levels. The total health risk was the greatest during the wet period and least in the dry period. Among the five heavy metals in the Liaohe River, Cr posed the greatest single health risk.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank the staff of Shenyang University Laboratory of Eco-Remediation and Resource Reuse for their support during field sampling, logistics and laboratory analysis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Regional Environmental and Eco-Remediation, Ministry of Education, Shenyang University, Shenyang, 110044, China

    Hui Wang, Lina Sun & Qing Luo

  2. School for Resource and Environmental Studies, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4R2, Canada

    Zhe Liu

Authors
  1. Hui Wang
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  2. Lina Sun
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  3. Zhe Liu
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  4. Qing Luo
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lina Sun.

Additional information

Foundation item: Under the auspices of Major Science and Technology Program for Water Pollution Control and Treatment (No. 2012ZX07202-004-05), National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 41401352), Science and Enterprise Competitive Selection Project of Shenyang City, Shenyang Science and Technology Plan Project (No. F14-133-9-00)

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Wang, H., Sun, L., Liu, Z. et al. Spatial distribution and seasonal variations of heavy metal contamination in surface waters of Liaohe River, Northeast China. Chin. Geogr. Sci. 27, 52–62 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11769-017-0846-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11769-017-0846-1

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