Assessing the hazards of trace metals in different land use types around a coastal wetland nature reserve in China

An understanding of trace metal pollution due to reclamation activities around Yancheng National Nature Reserve is important for the utilisation and management of the reserve and surrounding coastal and marine areas. In the present study, we evaluated the current state of Cu, Cd, Pb and Zn pollution (total concentrations and ecological risk), their potential hazard (availability index and desorption rate) and soil properties (cation exchange capacity, iron and manganese oxide content, soil organic matter, salinity and pH) in different land use types around this nature reserve. Although the current state of trace metal pollution was not severe, the potential hazards of these trace metals should not be ignored, especially for Cd because of its significantly higher availability index values in farmlands and aquaculture ponds than in natural habitats (by 33 and 32% of the total amount of Cd respectively). Thus, strict monitoring and environmentally responsible land reclamation management practices should be considered for these coastal areas.