Distribution, Enrichment, Accumulation, and Potential Ecological Effect of Lead in the Sediment of Jen-Gen River Estuary, Taiwan

This study was conducted using the data collected at the estuary of Jen-Gen River to investigate and analyze Lead (Pb) contained in the sediments, and to evaluate the accumulation of Pb and the degree of its potential effect. The results show that samples collected at all monitoring stations near the mouth of Jen-Gen River contain 31–87 mg/kg of Pb with a mean of 65±17 mg/kg. The spatial distribution of Pb reveals that the Pb concentration is relatively high in the river estuary region. This indicates that upstream industrial and municipal wastewater discharges along the river bank are major sources of pollution. Results from the enrichment factor (EF) analysis imply that the sediments can be characterized as moderately severe to severe degree of Pb enrichment. Results of geo-accumulation index (Igeo) analysis indicate that the sediments can be characterized as moderate to moderately strong degree of Pb accumulation. Base on the comparison with sediment quality guidelines (SQGs), the concentrations of Pb in the sediments of Jen-Gen River estuary may cause acute biological damage.