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Factor analysis and sequential extraction unveil geochemical processes relevant for trace metal distributions in fluvial sediments of a pyrite mining area, China

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Abstract

Four fluvial sediment cores were geochemically analysed for their major elements and for their trace metal contents and represent a sensitive environmental record for heavy metal contamination in a pyrite mining area, Pearl River Basin, South China. While an identification of depositional and post-depositional processes is not possible by means of the vertical profiles of the trace metal contents alone, factor analysis uncovers four main factors that control trace metal distributions in the sediment cores. After analysing the geochemical fractions of heavy metals by a sequential extraction procedure, these four factors could be explained as (i) complexation with organic matter in the sediment (As, Cu, Ni and Zn), (ii) weathering processes by iron reduction and oxidation (Pb, Mo and Cr), (iii) weathering by Mn reduction and oxidation (Tl and Co) and (iv) binding effects of sulphur in the sediment or physical transport of pyrite tailings (Zn). The environmental evaluation by geoaccumulation indices and enrichment factors reveals that the studied sediment cores are significantly contaminated and enriched with As, Tl, Pb and Zn. The risk assessment code additionally suggests low to medium risk of these studied heavy metals on the whole.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank K. Franke, A. Mansel, U. Gottschalch, M. Stockmann and C. Schößler from the FZD for technical assistance and helpful suggestions. We are also thankful to Y. Wu, P. Zhang and X. Chang from the GU for their constructive advice. Support by the Urban Water Centre, Guangzhou, is gratefully acknowledged. This project was supported by The United Foundation of National Nature Science Foundation Committee of P. R. China, the Guangdong Provincial Government (No. U0633001) and a DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst) scholarship to J. L. This is contribution No. 1164 from GIG-CAS.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences (GIG-CAS), Kehua Str. 511, Guangzhou, 510640, People’s Republic of China

    Juan Liu, Jin Wang & Chunlin Wang

  2. Forschungszentrum Dresden Rossendorf (FZD), Institute of Radiochemistry, Research Site Leipzig, Permoserstraße 15, 04318, Leipzig, Germany

    Juan Liu, Holger Lippold & Johanna Lippmann-Pipke

  3. Graduate School of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (GS-CAS), Yuquan Road 19, Beijing, 100049, People’s Republic of China

    Juan Liu

  4. Guangzhou University (GU), Waihuan Xi Road 230, Guangzhou, 510006, People’s Republic of China

    Yongheng Chen

  5. Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Institute of Radiation Protection (ISS), Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany

    Jin Wang

  6. South China Institute of Environmental Science (SCIES), Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP), Yuancun West Str. 7, Guangzhou, 510655, People’s Republic of China

    Jianying Qi

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  1. Juan Liu
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Correspondence to Johanna Lippmann-Pipke.

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Liu, J., Chen, Y., Wang, J. et al. Factor analysis and sequential extraction unveil geochemical processes relevant for trace metal distributions in fluvial sediments of a pyrite mining area, China. Carbonates Evaporites 25, 51–63 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13146-010-0007-4

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