Abstract:
To assess the trace metal pollution in the Siran
River, sedimentswere collected from 12 sites, from the left
and right banks of the river in 2013. The concentrations,
accumulation, distribution pattern, and pollution status of
heavy metals in sediments were investigated using
geoaccumulation index (Igeo) and enrichment factor (EF).
The toxic risk of heavy metals was assessed using interim
sediment quality guidelines (ISQGs), portable effect level
(PEL), threshold effect level (TEL), and toxic effect
threshold (TET). Igeo and EF values showed that sediments
were loaded with Ni, Cd, Pb, and Co and no obvious
variations were found among the left and right banks of
the river. The EF and Igeo values were found in order of
Co > Pb > Ni > As > Cd > Cu > Zn > Fe and
Cd > Co > Pb > Ni > As > Fe > Zn > Cu > Mn, respectively.
Furthermore, multivariate statistical analysis like
inter-metal correlation, cluster analysis (CA), and principal
component analysis (PCA) results revealed that geogenic
and anthropogenic activities were major sources of sediment
contamination in the study area. These results indicated
that more attention should be paid to the inner loads
of sediment in order to achieve improvements in reservoir
water quality after the control of external pollution.
