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Heavy Metals Enrichment Associated with Water-Level Fluctuations in the Riparian Soils of the Xiaowan Reservoir, Lancang River

Author

Listed:
  • Ronghua Zhong

    (Institute of International Rivers and Eco-Security, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China)

  • Yun Zhang

    (Institute of International Rivers and Eco-Security, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China)

  • Xingwu Duan

    (Institute of International Rivers and Eco-Security, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China)

  • Fei Wang

    (Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China)

  • Raheel Anjum

    (Department of Economics, Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan 23200, Pakistan)

Abstract

The cascade hydropower development in the Lancang River has significantly modified the hydrologic regime and is consequently responsible for many local environmental changes. The influence of the altered hydrological regime on heavy metals accumulation in the soils of the riparian zone was evaluated for the Xiaowan Reservoir (XWR). Specifically, this study focused on investigating the trace metals As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn and their concentrations in the riparian soils. Furthermore, this research aimed to examine the contamination levels of heavy metals by employing the geoaccumulation index ( I geo ) and the ecological risk index ( RI ), respectively. Additionally, the relationship between heavy metals and water level fluctuations as caused by the dam operation was explored. The results showed that heavy metals deposits occurred in relatively low levels in the riparian soils of XWR, even though several of these metals were revealed to occur in higher concentrations than the local background value. The I geo assessment indicated that the riparian soils exhibited slight pollution by Hg at the Zhujie wharf (ZJW) and Cr at the transect of the Heihui River (HHR), and moderate contamination by As at ZJW. Moreover, the RI revealed that As in riparian soils is moderately hazardous while Hg poses a high risk at ZJW. The polluted water and sediments from upstream and upland of the riparian zone may be contributing to the changed concentrations of heavy metal in the riparian soils. The present study inferred that the WLFs due to reservoir impoundment play a vital role in the accumulation of trace metals in the riparian zone. However, more exhaustive investigations are necessary for verification.

Suggested Citation

  • Ronghua Zhong & Yun Zhang & Xingwu Duan & Fei Wang & Raheel Anjum, 2022. "Heavy Metals Enrichment Associated with Water-Level Fluctuations in the Riparian Soils of the Xiaowan Reservoir, Lancang River," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-16, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:19:p:12902-:d:936558
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Fernando Santos-Francés & Antonio Martínez-Graña & Carmelo Ávila Zarza & Antonio García Sánchez & Pilar Alonso Rojo, 2017. "Spatial Distribution of Heavy Metals and the Environmental Quality of Soil in the Northern Plateau of Spain by Geostatistical Methods," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-20, May.
    2. Wei Zhang & Jinghua Long & Xueru Zhang & Weining Shen & Zhongyi Wei, 2020. "Pollution and Ecological Risk Evaluation of Heavy Metals in the Soil and Sediment around the HTM Tailings Pond, Northeastern China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-10, September.
    3. Xiuling Li & Henglun Shen & Yongjun Zhao & Weixing Cao & Changwei Hu & Chen Sun, 2019. "Distribution and Potential Ecological Risk of Heavy Metals in Water, Sediments, and Aquatic Macrophytes: A Case Study of the Junction of Four Rivers in Linyi City, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-13, August.
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