Elemental composition of sediments in Lake Jinzai, Japan: Assessment of sources and pollution

• Published in: Environmental monitoring and assessment Vol. 184; no. 7; pp. 4383 - 4396
• Main Authors: Ahmed, Faruque, Bibi, M. Hawa, Asaeda, Takashi, Mitchell, Carl P. J, Ishiga, Hiroaki, Fukushima, Takehiko
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer-Verlag 01.07.2012; Springer Netherlands; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Animal Science and Animal Products; Anthropogenic factors; Aquatic life; Aquatic organisms; arsenic; Assessments; Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Bottom sediments; carbon; Chemical composition; Copper; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecology; Ecotoxicology; Elevated; Environment; Environmental Management; Environmental Monitoring; Environmental science; Freshwater; Geologic Sediments - chemistry; Geologic Sediments - classification; Geology; Guidelines; iron; Japan; Lake sediments; Lakes; Lakes - chemistry; Lead; Lead (metal); Metal concentrations; Metals; Metals - analysis; Monitoring/Environmental Analysis; nitrogen; Nitrogen - analysis; Organic carbon; Organic matter; Organic phosphorus; phosphorus; Phosphorus - analysis; Pollution; Pollution abatement; Pollution index; Pollution load; Rivers; sediment contamination; Sediment load; Sediments; Sewage disposal; Soil erosion; Studies; Trace Elements; Trace metals; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Water Pollution, Chemical - statistics & numerical data; Water quality; zinc; Japan; USA, New York; Lake sediment; Environmental guidelines; Southwest Japan; Trace elements; Geoaccumulation index
• ISSN: 0167-6369; 1573-2959
• DOI: 10.1007/s10661-011-2271-8

Bottom sediments from Lake Jinzai in southwest Japan were analyzed to determine their chemical compositions and to assess the potential for ecological harm by comparison with sediment quality guidelines. The pollution status of lake sediments was evaluated by employing contamination factor (CF), pollution load index (PLI), and geoaccumulation index (I geo), focusing on a suite of elements in lakebed and core sediments. Elevated concentrations of As, Pb, Zn, Cu, TOC, N, and P were present in several layers of the upper core and other surface sediments. The elevated metal concentrations are likely related to the fine-grained nature of the sediments, reducing bottom conditions produced by abundant organic matter, and possibly minor non-point anthropogenic sources. Moreover, correlations between the concentrations of trace metals and organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and iron, suggest that these elements play a role in controlling abundances. Calculated CF, PLI, and I geo indicate that the sediments are strongly polluted with respect to As, moderately to strongly polluted with Zn, and moderately polluted with Pb and Cu. Metal concentrations exceed the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) lowest effect level and the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) interim sediment quality guidelines that indicate moderate impact on aquatic organisms in the study area.