Spatial distribution, health risk assessment and statistical source identification of the trace elements in surface water from the Xiangjiang River, China

Abstract

Surface water samples were collected from the sampling sites throughout the Xiangjiang River for investigating spatial variation, risk assessment and source identification of the trace elements. The results indicated that the mean concentrations of the elements were under the permissible limits as prescribed by guidelines except arsenic (As). Based on the health risk indexes, the primary contributor to the chronic risks was arsenic (As), which was suggested to be the most important pollutant leading to non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic concerns. Individuals, who depend on surface water from the Xiangjiang River for potable and domestic use, might be subjected to the integrated health risks for exposure to the mixed trace elements. Children were more sensitive to the risks than the adults, and the oral intake was the primary exposure pathway. Besides, multivariate statistical analyses revealed that arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), selenium (Se), and mercury (Hg) mainly derived from the chemical industrial wastewaters and the coal burning, and zinc (Zn) copper (Cu) and chromium (Cr) mainly originated from the natural erosion, the mineral exploitation activities, and the non-point agricultural sources. As a whole, the upstream of the Xiangjiang River was explained as the high polluted region relatively.

Multivariate Analyses and Human Health Assessments of Heavy Metals for Surface Water Quality in the Xiangjiang River Basin, China

“…The Xiangjiang River is an important water body in the global ecosystem, and the alleviation of water pollution in the Xiangjiang River can be an example of global river pollution remediation. The Xiangjiang River basin is afflicted by severe heavy metal problems attributable to the development of mining and metallurgical industries along the river and the disorganized discharge of urban and industrial wastes (Zeng et al ). There are many studies that pertain to water and sediment quality, environmental risk assessment, and future predictions regarding heavy metal contamination trends in the Xiangjiang River (Zeng et al ; Chai et al ; Fei et al ).…”

“…The Xiangjiang River basin is afflicted by severe heavy metal problems attributable to the development of mining and metallurgical industries along the river and the disorganized discharge of urban and industrial wastes (Zeng et al ). There are many studies that pertain to water and sediment quality, environmental risk assessment, and future predictions regarding heavy metal contamination trends in the Xiangjiang River (Zeng et al ; Chai et al ; Fei et al ). However, these studies focus on a relatively restricted time span and limited environmental or health risk assessments (Zhang et al ; Zeng et al ).…”

Application of multivariate statistical approach to identify trace elements sources in surface waters: a case study of Kowalskie and Stare Miasto reservoirs, Poland

“…Trace elements penetrate to surface waters from natural and anthropogenic sources (Krishna et al 2009; Férauda et al 2009; Zhao et al 2011; Walna and Siepak 2012; Zeng et al 2015). In non-contaminated water reservoirs, the concentrations of most trace elements are low and originate mainly from the weathering of parent rock and soil (Reza and Singh 2010).…”

Assessing Water Quality of Mamasın Dam, Turkey: Using Water Quality Index Method, Ecological and Health Risk Assessments

“…Health risk assessment was employed by using hazard quotient, direct ingestion, and dermal absorption . According to the risk guidelines, the adsorbed daily dose for direct oral ingestion (ADD ingestion ) and dermal absorption (ADD dermal ) were computed from Equations and .…”