IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v19y2022i10p6204-d819568.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Heavy Metals in the Mainstream Water of the Yangtze River Downstream: Distribution, Sources and Health Risk Assessment

Author

Listed:
  • Yang Jin

    (Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing 100037, China
    Nanjing Center, China Geological Survey, Nanjing 210016, China
    Key Laboratory of Watershed Eco-Geological Processes, Ministry of Natural Resources, Nanjing 210016, China)

  • Quanping Zhou

    (Nanjing Center, China Geological Survey, Nanjing 210016, China
    Key Laboratory of Watershed Eco-Geological Processes, Ministry of Natural Resources, Nanjing 210016, China)

  • Xiaolong Wang

    (Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China)

  • Hong Zhang

    (Nanjing Center, China Geological Survey, Nanjing 210016, China
    Key Laboratory of Watershed Eco-Geological Processes, Ministry of Natural Resources, Nanjing 210016, China)

  • Guoqiang Yang

    (Nanjing Center, China Geological Survey, Nanjing 210016, China)

  • Ting Lei

    (Nanjing Center, China Geological Survey, Nanjing 210016, China)

  • Shijia Mei

    (Nanjing Center, China Geological Survey, Nanjing 210016, China
    Key Laboratory of Watershed Eco-Geological Processes, Ministry of Natural Resources, Nanjing 210016, China)

  • Hai Yang

    (Nanjing Center, China Geological Survey, Nanjing 210016, China
    Key Laboratory of Watershed Eco-Geological Processes, Ministry of Natural Resources, Nanjing 210016, China)

  • Lin Liu

    (Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing 100037, China
    Nanjing Center, China Geological Survey, Nanjing 210016, China
    Key Laboratory of Watershed Eco-Geological Processes, Ministry of Natural Resources, Nanjing 210016, China)

  • Hui Yang

    (Nanjing Center, China Geological Survey, Nanjing 210016, China
    Key Laboratory of Watershed Eco-Geological Processes, Ministry of Natural Resources, Nanjing 210016, China)

  • Jinsong Lv

    (Nanjing Center, China Geological Survey, Nanjing 210016, China
    Key Laboratory of Watershed Eco-Geological Processes, Ministry of Natural Resources, Nanjing 210016, China)

  • Yuehua Jiang

    (Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing 100037, China
    Nanjing Center, China Geological Survey, Nanjing 210016, China
    Key Laboratory of Watershed Eco-Geological Processes, Ministry of Natural Resources, Nanjing 210016, China)

Abstract

Since the mainstream of the Yangtze River lower reach is an important drinking water source for residents alongside it, it is essential to investigate the concentration, distribution characteristics and health risks of heavy metals in the water. In this study, a total of 110 water samples were collected on both the left and right banks from the upstream to the downstream. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to determine the sources of heavy metals. Their non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks were studied with health risk assessment models, and uncertainties were determined through Monte Carlo simulation. Results showed that concentrations of all heavy metals were significantly lower than the relevant authoritative standards in the studied area. From the upstream to the downstream, Ni, Cu and Cr had similar concentration distribution rules and mainly originated from human industrial activities. Pb, Cd and Zn had a fluctuating but increasing trend, which was mainly due to the primary geochemistry, traffic pollution and agricultural activities. The maximum As concentration appeared in the upstream mainly because of the carbonatite weathering or mine tail water discharge. Concentrations of Zn, As, Cd and Pb on the left bank were higher than those on the right bank, while concentrations of Cu, Ni and Cr on the right bank were higher than those on the left bank. The non-carcinogenic risk index (HI) was less than 1 (except of L11), and HI on the left bank was higher than that on the right bank. The carcinogenic risk (CR) was generally larger than 1.0 × 10 −4 , CR on the right bank overall was higher than that on the left bank, and the health risk of kids was greater than that of adults. Furthermore, Monte Carlo simulation results and the actual calculated values were basically the same.

Suggested Citation

  • Yang Jin & Quanping Zhou & Xiaolong Wang & Hong Zhang & Guoqiang Yang & Ting Lei & Shijia Mei & Hai Yang & Lin Liu & Hui Yang & Jinsong Lv & Yuehua Jiang, 2022. "Heavy Metals in the Mainstream Water of the Yangtze River Downstream: Distribution, Sources and Health Risk Assessment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-17, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:10:p:6204-:d:819568
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/10/6204/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/10/6204/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Xiongyi Miao & Mian Song & Gaohai Xu & Yupei Hao & Hucai Zhang, 2022. "The Accumulation and Transformation of Heavy Metals in Sediments of Liujiang River Basin in Southern China and Their Threatening on Water Security," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-16, January.
    2. Kui Cai & Chang Li, 2022. "Ecological Risk, Input Flux, and Source of Heavy Metals in the Agricultural Plain of Hebei Province, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(4), pages 1-23, February.
    3. Alexander Suhobokov, 2007. "Application of Monte Carlo simulation methods in risk management," Journal of Business Economics and Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 8(3), pages 165-168.
    4. Xiaosi Su & Huang Wang & Yuling Zhang, 2013. "Health Risk Assessment of Nitrate Contamination in Groundwater: A Case Study of an Agricultural Area in Northeast China," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 27(8), pages 3025-3034, June.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. B. Jianmin & W. Yu & Z. Juan, 2015. "Arsenic and fluorine in groundwater in western Jilin Province, China: occurrence and health risk assessment," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 77(3), pages 1903-1914, July.
    2. Juan Wang & Xuejing Wang & Guoxue Li & Jingtao Ding & Yujun Shen & Di Liu & Hongsheng Cheng & Ying Zhang & Ran Li, 2022. "Speciation Analysis Method of Heavy Metals in Organic Fertilizers: A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-20, December.
    3. Leah Grout & Simon Hales & Nigel French & Michael G. Baker, 2018. "A Review of Methods for Assessing the Environmental Health Impacts of an Agricultural System," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-27, June.
    4. Liping Li & Lanfang Han & Aiju Liu & Fayuan Wang, 2022. "Imperfect but Hopeful: New Advances in Soil Pollution and Remediation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-3, August.
    5. Fawen Li & Yong Zhao & Ping Feng & Wei Zhang & Jiale Qiao, 2015. "Risk Assessment of Groundwater and its Application. Part I: Risk Grading Based on the Functional Zoning of Groundwater," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 29(8), pages 2697-2714, June.
    6. Ardian, Aldin & Kumral, Mustafa, 2020. "Incorporating stochastic correlations into mining project evaluation using the Jacobi process," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 65(C).
    7. Jie Xiang & Peiwei Xu & Weizhong Chen & Xiaofeng Wang & Zhijian Chen & Dandan Xu & Yuan Chen & Mingluan Xing & Ping Cheng & Lizhi Wu & Bing Zhu, 2022. "Pollution Characteristics and Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Agricultural Soils over the Past Five Years in Zhejiang, Southeast China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-14, November.
    8. Wujuan Mi & Minghua Zhang & Yuan Li & Xiaoxuan Jing & Wei Pan & Xin Xing & Chen Xiao & Qiusheng He & Yonghong Bi, 2023. "Spatio-Temporal Pattern of Groundwater Nitrate-Nitrogen and Its Potential Human Health Risk in a Severe Water Shortage Region," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-12, September.
    9. Robert Duda & Robert Zdechlik & Jarosław Kania, 2021. "Semiquantitative Risk Assessment Method for Groundwater Source Protection Using a Process-based Interdisciplinary Approach," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 35(10), pages 3373-3394, August.
    10. Gwon-Soo Bahn & Byung-Chul An, 2020. "Analysis of Environmental Purification Effect of Riparian Forest with Poplar Trees for Ecological Watershed Management: A Case Study in the Floodplain of the Dam Reservoir in Korea," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-17, August.
    11. Xiongyi Miao & Jianping Liang & Yupei Hao & Wanjun Zhang & Yincai Xie & Hucai Zhang, 2022. "The Influence of the Reduction in Clay Sediments in the Level of Metals Bioavailability—An Investigation in Liujiang River Basin after Wet Season," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-16, November.
    12. Wenyu Ma & Yuchun Pan & Zaijin Sun & Changhua Liu & Xiaolan Li & Li Xu & Yunbing Gao, 2023. "Input Flux and the Risk of Heavy Metal(Loid) of Agricultural Soil in China: Based on Spatiotemporal Heterogeneity from 2000 to 2021," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-22, June.
    13. Wenwen Feng & Chao Wang & Xiaohui Lei & Hao Wang & Xueliang Zhang, 2020. "Distribution of Nitrate Content in Groundwater and Evaluation of Potential Health Risks: A Case Study of Rural Areas in Northern China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-14, December.
    14. Wenyong Wu & Shiyang Yin & Honglu Liu & Honghan Chen, 2014. "Groundwater Vulnerability Assessment and Feasibility Mapping Under Reclaimed Water Irrigation by a Modified DRASTIC Model," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 28(5), pages 1219-1234, March.
    15. José María Orellana-Macías & María Jesús Perles Roselló & Jesús Causapé, 2021. "A Methodology for Assessing Groundwater Pollution Hazard by Nitrates from Agricultural Sources: Application to the Gallocanta Groundwater Basin (Spain)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-15, June.
    16. Md. Iftakharul Muhib & Mir Mohammad Ali & Shafi M. Tareq & Md. Mostafizur Rahman, 2023. "Nitrate Pollution in the Groundwater of Bangladesh: An Emerging Threat," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-20, May.
    17. Jianwei Bu & Ziyong Sun & Rui Ma & Yunde Liu & Xulong Gong & Zhao Pan & Wenhao Wei, 2020. "Shallow Groundwater Quality and Its Controlling Factors in the Su-Xi-Chang Region, Eastern China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-18, February.
    18. Lorelei Ford & Lalita Bharadwaj & Lianne McLeod & Cheryl Waldner, 2017. "Human Health Risk Assessment Applied to Rural Populations Dependent on Unregulated Drinking Water Sources: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-22, July.
    19. Longxia Qian & Hongrui Wang & Keni Zhang, 2014. "Evaluation Criteria and Model for Risk Between Water Supply and Water Demand and its Application in Beijing," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 28(13), pages 4433-4447, October.
    20. Irina Marinov & Anca Marinov, 2014. "A Coupled Mathematical Model to Predict the Influence of Nitrogen Fertilization on Crop, Soil and Groundwater Quality," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 28(15), pages 5231-5246, December.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:10:p:6204-:d:819568. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.