Assessment of heavy metals contamination in Mamut river sediments using sediment quality guidelines and geochemical indices

Abstract

This paper describes the concentration of selected heavy metals (Co, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in the Mamut river sediments and evaluate the degree of contamination of the river polluted by a disused copper mine. Based on the analytical results, copper showed the highest concentration in most of the river samples. A comparison with Interim Canadian Sediment Quality Guidelines (ICSQG) and Germany Sediment Quality Guidelines (GSQG) indicated that the sediment samples in all the sampling stations, except Mamut river control site (M1), exceeded the limit established for Cu, Ni, and Pb. On the contrary, Zn concentrations were reported well below the guidelines limit (ICSQG and GSQG). Mineralogical analysis indicated that the Mamut river sediments were primarily composed of quartz and accessory minerals such as chalcopyrite, pyrite, edenite, kaolinite, mica, and muscovite, reflected by the geological character of the study area. Enrichment factor (EF) and geoaccumulation index (Igeo) were calculated to evaluate the heavy metal pollution in river sediments. Igeo values indicated that all the sites were strongly polluted with the studied metals in most sampling stations, specifically those located along the Mamut main stream. The enrichment factor with value greater than 1.5 suggested that the source of heavy metals was mainly derived from anthropogenic activity such as mining. The degree of metal changes (δfold) revealed that Cu concentration in the river sediments has increased as much as 20 to 38 folds since the preliminary investigation conducted in year 2004.

Spatiotemporal estimation of heavy metals pollution in the Mediterranean Sea from Volturno River, southern Italy: distribution, risk assessment and loads

“…On the other hand, Cd amount in this manuscript was lower than those detected in the Fusaro Lagoon by Arienzo et al [68], in the Sardinia Coast by Schintu et al [69] and in the Calore River by Zuzolo et al [25] in Italy, in the Heer River (China) by Zhu et al [70] and Xiangjiang River (China) by Li et al [64]. Excluding Palma de Mallorca Bay (Spain) by Moukhchan et al [71], Northern Tyrrenian Sea (Italy) by Piazzolla et al [72] and the Karstic River (China) by Ling et al [63], at all each sampling point, Ni concentration found in the sediments of Volturno River was lower compared to data reported in previous studies (Table 5) [3,25,35,64,70,73]. The concentrations of Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn found in the sediments of this river were lower than literature data (Table 5).…”

Heavy metals risk assessment of water and sediments collected from selected river tributaries of the Mara River in Tanzania

“…Pollution indices are an efficient and rapid tool for producing a single value, the indicator, emanating from different parameters. Most of the indices have been employed globally to study the contamination of toxic heavy metals in river sediments [17,18]. Pollution indices are powerful tools for evaluating, developing, and conveying raw environmental data into more meaningful information for politicians and decision-makers [19].…”

Impact of Industrially Affected Soil on Humans: A Soil-Human and Soil-Plant-Human Exposure Assessment

“…Measured EF value ranges of 2.80–4.754, 0.823–1.491, 0.795–1.446, 1.646–4.957, 0.995–3.262 for Cr, Cu, Zn, As and Pb among the sites, respectively ( Table 4 ). According to Mohammad et al [ 51 ], when EF < 1.5, the elements are most likely earth’s cluster origin, resulting from natural processes. In this study, Fe showed enrichment factor 1 for all the sites, indicating cluster metal, coming from weathering practice [ 52 ].…”