Investigation on Heavy Metal Pollution Risk of Sediment in a Human-disturbed River, China

Analysis of heavy metal pollution in sediment is of importance to water treatment. In the present study, borehole columnar sediment samples with 3∼4 m thickness from 86 points along Maozhou River were collected to determine the concentrations of six main metal elements (Cu, Cr, Cd, Pb, Zn, Ni) using plasma direct reading spectroscopy. Then, the vertical distribution of heavy metal among sediment is revealed. What's more, the pollution risk levels at different depths are determined by potential ecological risk index. The heavy metal source is also discussed through correlation analysis between different heavy metal elements. The result of this study provide valuable reference for dredging depth determination as well as treatment of malodorous black water body. (paper)