Assessment of Heavy Metals in the Urban River Sediments in Suzhou City, Northern Anhui Province, China

In order to investigate the pollution of heavy metal in urban river, a total of 12 samples collected in the city of Suzhou, northern Anhui Province, China, were analyzed by X-ray Fluorescence for 5 metals (Fe, Cu, Zn, As and Pb). Enrichment factor (EF) and geo-accumulation index (Igeo) were used to quantitatively assess the influences of human activities on heavy metal concentrations. Moreover, the potential ecological risk of heavy metal is applied to evaluating pollution. The results indicate that: (1) the concentrations of heavy metals were Fe 2.10 similar to 2.96% (2.69%), Cu 41 similar to 173 mg/kg (105.8 mg/kg), Zn 54 similar to 1040 mg/kg (414.8 mg/kg), As 8 similar to 23 mg/kg (15.67 mg/kg), Pb 27 similar to 74 mg/kg (54.67 mg/kg). (2) the results of EF and Igeo had consistency. The sediments in urban river were polluted by Cu, Zn and Pb, and its turn is Zn> Cu> Pb> As. (3) the levels of potential ecological risk of heavy metals are low, and its turn of is Zn> Cu> Pb> As, and the turn of RI in each spot is S3(39.19) > S7(37.76) > S1(36.5) > S9(30.33) > S10(28.84) > S6(27.46) > S11(26.6) > S12(25.96) > S5(24.72) > S8(20.53) > S2(18.09) > S4(11.67). By investigating, some treatment scheme must formulate and implement, not only by the government, but also by all citizens. (C) 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and/or peer-review under responsibility of Conference ESIAT2011 Organization Committee.