Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Pt and Pd in sediments from the Pearl River Estuary, South China: background levels, distribution, and source

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Environmental Science and Pollution Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

This study assessed the concentrations of platinum (Pt) and palladium (Pd) in surface sediments and sedimentary cores collected from the Pearl River Estuary with a view of evaluating the distribution, background levels, possible sources, and contamination level of anthropogenic Pt and Pd.

Materials and methods

Thirty-six samples of surface sediments and 12 samples from sedimentary cores were collected. Al2O3 was analyzed on fused glass disks by X-ray fluorescence spectrometer. Heavy metal elements were measured by inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry. Pt and Pd were separated from the sample matrix by anion exchange chromatography and subsequent solvent extraction after samples had been digested in Carius tubes using aqua regia. The analysis of Pt and Pd was performed by isotopic dilution-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry.

Results and discussion

Pt and Pd concentrations in surface sediments were 0.28–2.11 and 0.39–38.30 ng/g, respectively, and Pt and Pd concentrations in sedimentary cores were 0.19–1.18 and 0.15–1.76 ng/g, respectively. Background values of Pt and Pd were 0.20–1.17 and 0.10–1.34 ng/g, respectively. The spatial distribution of the enrichment factor differed between Pt and Pd in surface sediments. Down-core variations in Pt, Pd, and other heavy metal elements were similar in all cases and were related to sediment type.

Conclusions

Some of the Pt and Pt in surface samples were derived from anthropogenic emissions. Pt and Pd were delivered to the sediment by fluvial input. In addition to vehicle exhaust catalysts, Pt and Pd were derived from other sources (e.g., industrial process). An important post-burial remobilization process of Pt and Pd is likely to be particle mixing by billows caused by typhoon.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Buat-Menard P, Chesselet R (1979) Variable influence of the atmospheric flux on the trace metal chemistry of oceanic suspended matter. Earth Planet Sci Lett 42:399–411

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ely JC, Neal CR, Kulpa CF, Schneegurt MA, Seidler JA, Jain JC (2001) Implications of platinum-group element accumulation along US roads from catalytic-converter attrition. Environ Sci Technol 35:3816–3822

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fumagalli A, Faggion B, Ronchini M, Terzaghi G, Lanfranchi M, Chirico N, Cherchi L (2010) Platinum, palladium, and rhodium deposition to the Prunus laurus cerasus leaf surface as an indicator of the vehicular traffic pollution in the city of Varese area. Environ Sci Pollut Res 17:665–673

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gomez B, Gomez M, Sanchez JL, Fernandez R, Palacios MA (2001) Platinum and rhodium distribution in airborne particulate matter and road dust. Sci Total Environ 269:131–144

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Huang X, Liang K, Liu X (2006) Distribution and assessment of heavy metals in surficial sediments in the Pearl River Estuary. Transactions Oceanol Limnol 3:27–36 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ip CCM, Li XD, Zhang G, Farmer JG, Wai OWH, Li YS (2004) Over one hundred years of trace metal fuxes in the sediments of the Pearl River Estuary, South China. Environ Poll 132:157–172

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ip CCM, Li X-D, Zhang G, Wai OWH, Li Y-S (2007) Trace metal distribution in sediments of the Pearl River Estuary and the surrounding coastal area, South China. Environ Poll 147:311–323

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jollie D (2009) Platinum 2009. Johnson Matthey, Hertfordshire. pp. 52–56

  • Kan SF, Tanner PA (2005) Platinum concentrations in ambient aerosol at a coastal site in South China. Atmos Environ 39:2625–2630

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kümmerer K, Helmers E, Hubner P, Mascart G, Milandri M, Reinthaler F, Zwakenberg M (1999) European hospitals as a source for platinum in the environment in comparison with other sources. Sci Total Environ 225:155–165

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leopold K, Maier M, Weber S, Schuster M (2008) Long-term study of palladium in road tunnel dust and sewage sludge ash. Environ Poll 156:341–347

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li XD, Wai OWH, Li YS, Coles BJ, Ramsey MH, Thornton I (2000a) Heavy metal distribution in sediment profiles of the Pearl River estuary, South China. Appl Geochem 15:567–581

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li XD, Shen ZG, Wai OWH, Li YS (2000b) Chemical partitioning of heavy metal contaminants in sediments of the Pearl River Estuary. Chem Spec Bioavailab 12:17–25

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li XD, Shen ZG, Wai OWH, Li YS (2001) Chemical forms of Pb, Zn and Cu in the sediment profiles of the Pearl River Estuary. Mar Pollut Bull 42:215–223

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li Q, Wu Z, Chu B, Zhang N, Cai S, Fang J (2007) Heavy metals in coastal wetland sediments of the Pearl River Estuary, China. Environ Poll 149:158–164

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu FW, Yan W, Hang XP, Shi P (2003a) Distributional characteristics of heavy metal and its available phases in sediments from Zhujiang River mouth. J Tropic Oceanography 22:16–24 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu WX, Li XD, Shen ZG, Wang DC, Wai OWH, Li YS (2003b) Multivariate statistical study of heavy metal enrichment in sediments of the Pearl River Estuary. Environ Poll 121:377–388

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Palacios MA, Gomez MM, Moldovan M et al (2000) Platinum-group elements: quantification in collected exhaust fumes and studies of catalyst surfaces. Sci Total Environ 257:1–15

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pan S, Zhang G, Sun Y, Chakraborty P (2009) Accumulating characteristics of platinum group elements (PGE) in urban environments, China. Sci Total Environ 407:4248–4252

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pearson DG, Woodland SJ (2000) Solvent extraction/anion exchange separation and determination of PGEs (Os, Ir, Pt, Pd, Ru) and Re-Os isotopes in geological samples by isotope dilution ICP-MS. Chem Geol 165:87–107

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Prichard HM, Jackson MT, Sampson J (2008) Dispersal and accumulation of Pt, Pd and Rh derived from a roundabout in Sheffield (UK): from stream to tidal estuary. Sci Total Environ 401:90–99

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shinotsuka K, Suzuki K (2007) Simultaneous determination of platinum group elements and rhenium in rock samples using isotope dilution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry after cation exchange separation followed by solvent extraction. Anal Chim Acta 603:129–139

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Simitchiev K, Stefanova V, Kmetov V, Andreev G, Sanchez A, Canals A (2008) Investigation of ICP-MS spectral interferences in the determination of Rh, Pd and Pt in road dust: assessment of correction algorithms via uncertainty budget analysis and interference alleviation by preliminary acid leaching. Talanta 77:889–896

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sun Y, Guan X, Du A (1998) Determination of platinum group elements by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry combined with nickel sulfide fire assay and tellurium coprecipitation. Spectrochim Acta B 53:1463–1467

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tuit CB, Ravizza GE, Bothner MH (2000) Anthropogenic platinum and palladium in the sediments of Boston Harbor. Environ Sci Technol 34:927–932

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang X, Sun C (2009) Pt and Pd concentrations and source in urban roadside soils from Xuzhou, China. Environ Geol 56:1129–1133

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang ZH, Lin Q, Li CH, Huang HH, Yang ML, Gan JL, Cai WG (2004) The concentration distribution and assessment of Cu, Pb, Zn and Gd in surface sediments from Pearl River Estuary. Res Environ Sci 17:5–9 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang J, R-h Z, Y-z S (2007) Distribution of platinum group elements in road dust in the Beijing metropolitan area, China. J Environ Sci 19:29–34

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wedepohl HK (1995) The composition of the continental crust. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 59:1217–1232

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wen XS, Zhao HT, Zhang QM, Song CJ (1994) The U & Th characteristics and dating analyses of the quaternary deposits in the Lingdingyang Estuary. Tropic Oceanology 13:90–94 (in Chinese)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Xia Z, Ma SZ, Liang K, Shi YH (2008) The characteristics analysis of sea bottom deposit in Lingdingyang Bay of the Pearl River Estuary. Mar Geol Quarter Geol 28:7–13 (in Chinese)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yan M, Wang C, Gu T, Chi Q, Zhang Z (1998) Platinum-group element geochemical certified reference materials (GPt1-7). Geostand Geoanal Res 22:235–246

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yang Y -Q (2007) Distribution, speciation and the potential ecological risk assessment of heavy metals in the Pearl River estuary and Adjacent Shelf. Dissertation, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences (in Chinese)

  • Zereini F, Dirksen F, Skerstupp B, Urban H (1998) Sources of anthropogenic platinum-group elements (PGE): automotive catalysts versus pge-processing industries. Environ Sci Pollut Res 5:223–230

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang J, Liu CL (2002) Riverine composition and estuarine geochemistry of particulate metals in China-weathering features, anthropogenic impact and chemical fluxes. Estuar Coast Shelf Sci 54:1051–1070

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang W, Yu L, Lu M, Hutchinson SM, Feng H (2007) Magnetic approach to normalizing heavy metal concentrations for particle size effects in intertidal sediments in the Yangtze Estuary, China. Environ Pollut 147:238–244

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We thank Guo-sheng Li, Li-feng Xu, and Zhi-chang Zheng for sample collection and technical assistance. This work was financially supported by the CAS/SAFEA International Partnership Program for Creative Research Teams through grant # KZCX2-YW-T001 and by the Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) through grant # 40806049. We are grateful to anonymous reviewers for thorough reviews and constructive comments, which helped to improve the paper.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. CAS Key Laboratory of Marginal Sea Geology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510301, China

    Li-feng Zhong & Wen Yan

  2. Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, China

    Jie Li, Xiang-lin Tu & Bao-ming Liu

  3. Guangzhou Marine Geological Survey, Guangzhou, 510760, China

    Zhen Xia

Authors
  1. Li-feng Zhong
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Wen Yan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jie Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Xiang-lin Tu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Bao-ming Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Zhen Xia
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Wen Yan.

Additional information

Responsible editor: Zhihong Xu

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Zhong, Lf., Yan, W., Li, J. et al. Pt and Pd in sediments from the Pearl River Estuary, South China: background levels, distribution, and source. Environ Sci Pollut Res 19, 1305–1314 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-011-0653-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-011-0653-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation