Enrichment, Accumulation, and Potential Ecological Risk of Lead in the Sediments of Love River Mouth, Taiwan

Abstract

Major objectives of this study are to evaluation the enrichment, accumulation, and potential ecological risk of lead (Pb) in the sediments of Love River mouth, Taiwan. Ten monitoring stations were installed near the mouth of Love River to collect sediment samples for analyzing Pb. Results of laboratory analyses show that concentrations of Pb in the sediments are between 44 and 105 mg/kg with an average of 74±19 mg/kg. The spatial distribution of Pb reveals that the Pb concentration is relatively high in the river mouth region, and gradually diminishes toward the harbor region. This indicates that upstream industrial and municipal wastewater discharges along the river bank are major sources of pollution. Results from the enrichment factor (EF) analysis imply that the sediments can be characterized as moderately severe to severe degree of Pb enrichment. Results of geo-accumulation index (Igeo) analysis indicate that the sediments can be characterized as moderate to moderately strong degree of Pb accumulation. However, results of potential ecological risk index indicate that the sedimentation at Love River mouth has the low ecological potential risk.