Spatial distribution of heavy metals (Cu, Pb, Zn, and Cd) in sediments of a coastal wetlands in eastern Fujian, China

We investigated the spatial distribution (horizontal and vertical concentrations) of copper (Cu), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), and cadmium (Cd) in five wetland types (mudflat, aquaculture wetland, water area, farmland wetland and mangrove) from three areas (Ningde, Fuding, and Xiapu), China. Cu concentrations in five wetland types descended in the order: farm wetland, mudflat, aquaculture, water area and mangrove. Pb concentrations decreased in the order: aquaculture, mangrove, farm wetland, mudflat, and water area. Zn content decreased in the order: farm wetland, water area, aquaculture, mudflat and mangrove, and Cd content decreased as follows: mangrove, aquaculture, water area, mudflat, and farm wetland. Comparison of the concentrations of the same heavy metals in different areas showed that the highest Cu (63.75 mg kg−1) and Zn (152.32 mg kg−1) concentrations occurred in Ningde coastal wetlands; Pb (110.58 mg kg−1) and Cd (2.81 mg kg−1) contents were highest in Fuding wetlands, and the average contents of all heavy metals were very low in Xiapu wetlands. Examination of the vertical distribution showed that the Cu content was high in all mudflat layers; Pb and Cd concentrations were highest in aquaculture and mangrove wetlands, respectively, and Zn content was highest in farm wetlands. The spatial distribution of Cu and Zn contents for different areas decreased as follows: Ningde > Fuding > Xiapu, for Pb and Cd were most concentrated in Fuding coastal wetlands. Concentrations of Zn and Cu were highly correlated, while Zn and Cu were not significantly correlated with Pb.