Heavy Metal Signatures of Highly Anthropogenic Developments from the Dongjiang River Basin in Southeastern China

Abstract

Dongjiang River Basin is the world's most populous and highly economic development region over last few decades. Heavy metal records of 51 representative points of the Dongjiang River were presented, aim to evaluate the expected water resources and to investigate the potential for improving our aquatic environment. We find, heavy metal concentrations of both water and sediments indicated a good level of the aquatic environment in the most parts of Dongjiang River. However, it also illuminated that the river has been gradually degrading with highly anthropogenic development especially in downstream. Different factors of five principal components (PCs) gave a reasonable explanation on relation of each tracer between water and sediment. It implied their favorite conveyances or processes from sources to the aquatic systems.