Comprehensive evaluation of heavy metal contamination of sediment in Lake Dianchi by using modified AHP method and Cs dating

Abstract

Through the use of general sampling and measurement by ¹³⁷ Cs dating, problems regarding the absence of monitoring data can easily be resolved. Further, weighted values need to be determined while Environment Quality Comprehensive Index (EQCI) is commonly used as applied in environmental quality comprehensive evaluation. In order to overcome the subjectivity in determining weights, the modified Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) method was designed. The modified AHP method involved the following key procedures: First, the parameters y_i1 and y_i2 were calculated based on the monitoring data; second, the factors were put in order according to the symbol and value of y_i1 and y_i2; third, the continuous odd integers, which represented the importance of factors, were given to factors according to their seating order; and, fourth, the factor weights were determined from the pair-wise comparison matrix calculated by the ratio of the given odd integers. Therefore, the weights were completely based on the monitoring data. In the present study, the comprehensive quality of sediments in five sections of Lake Dianchi were evaluated and the results indicated that the current contamination of sediments in each lake section is much more serious than at any other time in history.

Keywords

¹³⁷Cs dating / modified AHP method / environment quality comprehensive evaluation / heavy metal contamination of sediment / Lake Dianchi