中文

Journal of Shanghai University（Natural Science Edition） ›› 2026, Vol. 32 ›› Issue (2): 187-201.doi: 10.12066/j.issn.1007-2861.2691

• Special Paper •    

Accumulation characteristics and influencing factors of heavy metals in sediments of the Changjiang River Estuary

HAO Xuezhi1, LIAN Ergang2, LI Yalong3, HE Zhongfa4, TAO Sicheng2, YANG Shouye1   

  1. 1. School of Ocean and Earth Science, State Key Laboratory of Marine Geology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China;
    2. Ecological Environment Monitoring and Scientific Research Center, Taihu Basin & East China Sea Ecological Environment Supervision and Administration Bureau, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Shanghai 200125, China;
    3. School of Environmental and Geographical Sciences, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai 200234, China;
    4. Shanghai Institute of Natural Resources Survey and Utilization, Shanghai 200072, China
  • Received:2025-06-03 Published:2026-05-11

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Abstract: Based on the sedimentary geochemical analysis of sediments from core ZK6 in the muddy sedimentary area of the Changjiang River Estuary and the collection of literature data, this study comprehensively evaluated the accumulation characteristics and influencing factors of four heavy metals (Cu, Pb, Zn, and Cr) in the sediments of the Changjiang River Estuary from interdecadal to millennial scales. The results of the enrichment factor (EF) and the index of geoaccumulation method indicate that the hazard quotient of heavy metals with the whole core is overall low. On the millennial scale (from ca. 1500 aBP to the present), the heavy metal contents were primarily determined by the changes of natural background values in the catchment, while Cu and Pb contents decreased and then increased from the bottom to the top, and Zn and Cr contents displayed decreasing trends. Before 1899, two historical periods, Tang and Song Dynasties, were mainly identified. Due to the social and economic prosperity and strong human activities during these periods, the degree of heavy metal enrichment fluctuated under certain influences. After 1899, the degree of heavy metal enrichment increased significantly due to the influence of global industrial development. On the centennial scale, the degree of heavy metal enrichment was significantly correlated with the stage of economic development in China. The accumulation degree of heavy metals was low before 1950 and intensified with the rapid industrial development from 1950 to 1990. The content of some elements declined due to the environmental protection policy after 1990. On the interdecadal scale (from 2003 to 2019), Pb and Cr element accumulation in sediments of the Changjiang River Estuary showed small variations after 2010, and Cu emission was controlled effectively, but the continuous Zn enrichment deserved more attention. This study revealed the natural and anthropogenic driving mechanisms of the spatial and temporal changes of heavy metals in the Changjiang River Estuary and provided scientific evidence for estuarine environmental management and governance.

Key words: sediment, heavy metals, spatial and temporal variability, Changjiang River Estuary

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