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Updated: Jun 29, 2026
Clean Sampling and Analysis of River and Estuarine Waters for Trace Metal Studies
Published on: July 1, 2016
Distribution, sources, and probabilistic risk assessment of heavy metals in the wetland water-sediment system: Based
1College of Earth Sciences, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin 541004, China; Key Laboratory of Karst Dynamics, MNR & GZAR, Institute of Karst Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Guilin 541004, China; Guilin Karst Geology Observation and Research Station of Guangxi, Guilin 541004, China; Pingguo Guangxi, Karst Ecosystem, National Observation and Research Station, Pingguo 531406, Guangxi, China; International Research Centre on Karst under the Auspices of UNESCO, National Center for International Research on Karst Dynamic System and Global Change, Guilin 541004, China.
Abstract:
This study aimed to investigate the interactions between heavy metals and physicochemical properties in the water and sediments of the Huixian Wetland, with a particular focus on the ecological and health risks arising from heavy metal pollution. The Comprehensive Environmental Water Quality Index (CEWQI) assessment showed that the overall water quality of the wetland was at a moderate level. Based on the Pollution Load Index (PLI) evaluation of sediment heavy metals, reaching the threshold for moderate pollution. Cd and Hg were found to be severely polluted at all sampling sites, consistent with the CEWQI results, indicating that Hg and Cd are the main pollutants in both water and sediments. A source-specific health risk assessment combining Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) and Monte Carlo simulation revealed that water pollution was primarily influenced by agricultural, domestic, mixed, and industrial sources, whereas sediment pollution is mainly governed by industrial, agricultural, domestic, and natural sources. The carcinogenic risk in water is primarily attributed to Cd from domestic sources, whereas the non-carcinogenic risk in water and the health risks in sediments are mainly associated with As and Cr from industrial sources. Exposure duration (ED) was found to be the most critical factor affecting risk levels. Children showed higher tolerance to water pollution but were more sensitive to sediment exposure, with carcinogenic risks exceeding the threshold of 1E-4 in less than four years. Compared with traditional deterministic methods and one-dimensional Monte Carlo simulation (1D MCS), the two-dimensional Monte Carlo simulation (2D MCS) demonstrated stronger capabilities in identifying key parameters and distinguishing between variability and uncertainty. These findings provide a scientific basis for targeted management of heavy metal pollution in wetland water and sediments, offering important guidance for mitigating ecological damage and protecting public health.
