School of Engineering, Lebanese American University, P.O. Box 36, Byblos, Lebanon.
Natural Science Division, Lebanese American University, P.O. Box 13-5053, Chouran, Beirut, Lebanon.
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2016 Apr;23(8):7603-14. doi: 10.1007/s11356-015-6022-1. Epub 2016 Jan 6.
This study reports on metal (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) pollution in the sediments of the Qaraoun reservoir over a span period of 9 years (2004, 2008, and 2013) along with key major environmental indicators. This time period corresponds with the onset of the rapid economic and industrial development of the reservoir region. For the first time, this study assessed the degree of environmental pollution by using indices such as enrichment factors (EF), contamination factors (CF), pollution load index (PLI), and geoaccumulation index (I geo). Moreover, sequential extraction was used to study the operationally determined chemical forms of the metals and their spatial and temporal distribution in the sediments. Correlation coefficients were also calculated to delineate the origin and association of the metals. Total metal concentrations and the environmental indices indicated increased pollution with time. Total organic carbon data showed a remarkable and significant increase in the organic fraction in 2013 relative to previous years. The increase in the organic fraction in the sediments was accompanied with a shift in cadmium [Cd] and lead [Pb] fractionation from the carbonate fraction to the organic fraction. The enrichment of the metal in the sediments along with the increased organic content is expected to exacerbate the metal bioavailability in the reservoir.
本研究报告了在 9 年期间（2004 年、2008 年和 2013 年），卡兰水库沉积物中的金属（Cd、Cr、Cu、Ni、Pb 和 Zn）污染以及主要环境指标的情况。这一时间跨度与水库地区快速经济和工业发展的开始相对应。本研究首次使用富集因子（EF）、污染因子（CF）、污染负荷指数（PLI）和地质累积指数（Igeo）等指数评估了环境污染程度。此外，还采用连续提取法研究了金属的操作确定的化学形态及其在沉积物中的时空分布。还计算了相关系数以描绘金属的来源和相关性。金属总浓度和环境指数表明随着时间的推移污染程度增加。总有机碳数据显示，与前几年相比，2013 年有机部分显著增加。沉积物中镉[Cd]和铅[Pb]的分馏从碳酸盐部分向有机部分的转移伴随着金属在沉积物中的富集。预计水库中金属的生物可利用性会因沉积物中金属的增加和有机含量的增加而加剧。
