Spatiotemporal simulation, source identification, and ecological risk assessment of potentially toxic elements in river sediments from the Jinsha River Basin, south-west China

Abstract

The issue of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) pollution in river sediments has a focal point of global concern in the environmental field. This study employed a receptor model and multiple indices to analyze the PTEs in river sediments from a dry-hot valley. The results showed that the average concentrations of PTEs within the river sediments followed the order: Pb > Zn > Cr > Cu > Ni > As > Cd > Hg, with elevated contents mainly observed in the middle and upper reaches. Three sources of PTEs were determined using the positive matrix factorization (PMF) model. Among these, mineral exploitation and transportation activities in the upper reaches mainly contribute to As, Cd, Hg, Pb, and Zn, accounting for the largest proportion (46.41%). This is followed by a natural source characterized by Cr and Ni, representing basalt weathering (27.40%), while agricultural activities (26.19%) in the middle and lower reaches mainly contribute to Hg and Cu. The outcomes of the geo-accumulation index (I_geo), potential ecological risk index (PERI), and environmental capacity based on the linear mass balance model suggest an overall slight to moderate pollution level (53.8%) and low ecological risk (43.6%), with high risks and pollution concentrated in the upper reaches. A total of 41.03% and 5.13% of the samples showed an unacceptable non-carcinogenic risk for children and adults. Cd and As were identified as the leading elements to the ecological and human health risks, respectively. While mining activities are the dominant contributor to both ecological and human health risks. Most areas in the upper reaches are environmental capacity overloaded zones, and the existing environmental capacity gradually increases from the upper reaches to the lower reaches. Moreover, the dynamic environmental capacity fluctuates and decreases over time, while the overloaded zones gradually recover. Overall, this study quantitatively identified three sources of PTEs in river sediments and conducted multi-dimensional evaluations of PTEs, confirming Cd and Pb pollution in the upstream area caused by mining activities.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

PMF model / source-specific risk / environmental capacity / spatiotemporal variation

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