Journal of Yangtze River Scientific Research Institute ›› 2024, Vol. 41 ›› Issue (9): 44-52.DOI: 10.11988/ckyyb.20230602

• Water Environment and Water Ecology • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Characteristics of Heavy Metal Distribution and Health Risk Assessment in the Inland River Water Environment of Wuhu City

WANG Xing-ming1,2(), SHEN Jie1,2, FAN Ting-yu1,2, CHU Zhao-xia3,4, DONG Zhong-bing1,2, DONG Peng5, LIANG Shu-ying6, DENG Rui-lai7   

  1. 1 School of Earth and Environment, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan 232001, China
    2 Anhui Provincial Laboratory of Water and Soil Resources Comprehensive Utilization and Ecological ProtectionEngineering for Mining Areas with High Groundwater Level, Anhui University of Science and Technology,Huainan 232001, China
    3 School of Biological Engineering, Huainan Normal University,Huainan 232038,China
    4 Key Laboratory of Bioresource and Environmental Biotechnology of Anhui Higher Education Institutes,Huainan Normal University,Huainan 232038, China
    5 School of Metallurgy and Energy Engineering, KunmingUniversity of Science and Technology, Kunming 650031,China
    6 Chuzhou Environmental Protection Bureau,Chuzhou 239004, China
    7 Anhui Open Source Landscaping Engineering Co., Ltd., Hefei 230031, China
  • Received:2023-06-05 Revised:2023-08-14 Published:2024-09-01 Online:2024-09-20

Abstract:

To assess the health risks associated with heavy metals in Wuhu’s inland waters, we selected sampling sections in three typical urban rivers in Wuhu to test the concentrations of six heavy metals—Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn. We used a health risk model to evaluate the potential risks these metals pose to human health. Analysis of water samples revealed that Mn and Ni exceeded Class III water quality standards (according to the Environmental Quality Standard for Surface Water (GB3838—2002)), while Cr and Pb also surpassed the standard at certain locations. Principal component analysis identified that Cu, Ni, Mn, and Zn are influenced by industrial and domestic sources, Pb is associated with traffic, and Cr is affected by both natural geological factors and human activities. The health risk assessment indicated no non-carcinogenic risk for the six metals overall. However, there was a non-carcinogenic risk in the Huicheng River Channel and the Zhongshan South Road Channel, and a carcinogenic risk for Cr and Ni through direct intake pathways. These findings offer guidance for measures and recommendations to mitigate heavy metal pollution in Wuhu’s urban inland waters and ensure safe drinking water for residents.

Key words: inland rivers of Wuhu City, urban rivers, heavy metals, principal component analysis, health risk assessment

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