Spatial distribution and pollution assessment of nitrogen, phosphorus, and heavy metals in the surface sediments of Xiaonanhai Lake, Hubei Province

Abstract Located in Nanhai Town, Songzi City, Hubei Province, Xiaonanhai Lake is the largest natural lake in Songzi. It was once severely polluted due to the discharge of urban and rural domestic sewage, disorderly development of agricultural planting, unregulated aquaculture, and poultry farming. H...

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Main Authors: Wei Liang, Yang Ding, Jinyong Zhao, Qiwen Wang, Wenqi Peng, Zhenghe Xu, Muyun Yan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley-VCH 2025-05-01
Series:River
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/rvr2.70007
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author Wei Liang
Yang Ding
Jinyong Zhao
Qiwen Wang
Wenqi Peng
Zhenghe Xu
Muyun Yan
author_facet Wei Liang
Yang Ding
Jinyong Zhao
Qiwen Wang
Wenqi Peng
Zhenghe Xu
Muyun Yan
author_sort Wei Liang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Located in Nanhai Town, Songzi City, Hubei Province, Xiaonanhai Lake is the largest natural lake in Songzi. It was once severely polluted due to the discharge of urban and rural domestic sewage, disorderly development of agricultural planting, unregulated aquaculture, and poultry farming. However, relevant estimations of the pollutant content in its sediment have not been carried out. This study analyzed the spatial patterns of heavy metal pollution and eutrophication at 36 water sampling sites in the Xiaonanhai Lake area, focusing on eight heavy metals: Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, As, Pb, Hg, and Zn. The nutrient status of the lake area was evaluated using the nitrogen‐phosphorus comprehensive pollution index, and heavy metal pollution status of the lake area was evaluated using geo‐accumulation and the potential ecological risk index. Spatial autocorrelation analysis revealed the spatial correlation and aggregation of eutrophication levels in Xiaonanhai Lake. The results showed that the overall trophic state of the Xiaonanhai Lake area was moderate eutrophication, with a gradually decreasing eutrophication level from north to south. The Chengnan Wastewater Treatment Plant in the northern part of the lake area and surface source pollution from aquaculture were the main nitrogen and phosphorus sources. The overall ecological risk index of heavy metal pollution was medium and gradually weakened from north to south, consistent with the thickness of the bottom mud. The heavy metal pollution load was mainly precipitated from the bottom mud in the lake area. The eutrophication and heavy metal pollution levels in the lake area showed significant positive spatial autocorrelation, the influence range of the regional eutrophication level was small, and the spatial heterogeneity of the eutrophication and heavy metal pollution levels in Xiaonanhai Lake was relatively high. The northern part of the lake was a hotspot (high/high aggregation) of eutrophication (p < 0.01) while the southern part was a cold spot (low/low concentration; p < 0.05). The middle and northern part of the lake area was the hot spot (high/high concentration) of heavy metal pollution level (p < 0.1) while the southern part was the cold spot (low/low concentration; p < 0.1). Therefore, when carrying out water environment management in Xiaonanhai Lake, the northern area and the middle area should be prioritized for eutrophication prevention and control and dredging.
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spelling doaj-art-413f8089c6e04f7e899d55d8e7e2e45d2025-07-01T09:46:22ZengWiley-VCHRiver2750-48672025-05-014222323610.1002/rvr2.70007Spatial distribution and pollution assessment of nitrogen, phosphorus, and heavy metals in the surface sediments of Xiaonanhai Lake, Hubei ProvinceWei Liang0Yang Ding1Jinyong Zhao2Qiwen Wang3Wenqi Peng4Zhenghe Xu5Muyun Yan6School of Water Conservancy and Environment University of Jinan Jinan ChinaChina Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research Beijing ChinaChina Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research Beijing ChinaChina Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research Beijing ChinaChina Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research Beijing ChinaChina Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research Beijing ChinaShanghai Pinghe School Shanghai ChinaAbstract Located in Nanhai Town, Songzi City, Hubei Province, Xiaonanhai Lake is the largest natural lake in Songzi. It was once severely polluted due to the discharge of urban and rural domestic sewage, disorderly development of agricultural planting, unregulated aquaculture, and poultry farming. However, relevant estimations of the pollutant content in its sediment have not been carried out. This study analyzed the spatial patterns of heavy metal pollution and eutrophication at 36 water sampling sites in the Xiaonanhai Lake area, focusing on eight heavy metals: Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, As, Pb, Hg, and Zn. The nutrient status of the lake area was evaluated using the nitrogen‐phosphorus comprehensive pollution index, and heavy metal pollution status of the lake area was evaluated using geo‐accumulation and the potential ecological risk index. Spatial autocorrelation analysis revealed the spatial correlation and aggregation of eutrophication levels in Xiaonanhai Lake. The results showed that the overall trophic state of the Xiaonanhai Lake area was moderate eutrophication, with a gradually decreasing eutrophication level from north to south. The Chengnan Wastewater Treatment Plant in the northern part of the lake area and surface source pollution from aquaculture were the main nitrogen and phosphorus sources. The overall ecological risk index of heavy metal pollution was medium and gradually weakened from north to south, consistent with the thickness of the bottom mud. The heavy metal pollution load was mainly precipitated from the bottom mud in the lake area. The eutrophication and heavy metal pollution levels in the lake area showed significant positive spatial autocorrelation, the influence range of the regional eutrophication level was small, and the spatial heterogeneity of the eutrophication and heavy metal pollution levels in Xiaonanhai Lake was relatively high. The northern part of the lake was a hotspot (high/high aggregation) of eutrophication (p < 0.01) while the southern part was a cold spot (low/low concentration; p < 0.05). The middle and northern part of the lake area was the hot spot (high/high concentration) of heavy metal pollution level (p < 0.1) while the southern part was the cold spot (low/low concentration; p < 0.1). Therefore, when carrying out water environment management in Xiaonanhai Lake, the northern area and the middle area should be prioritized for eutrophication prevention and control and dredging.https://doi.org/10.1002/rvr2.70007eutrophication levelheavy metal pollutionspatial autocorrelationspatial characteristicsXiaonanhai Lake
spellingShingle Wei Liang
Yang Ding
Jinyong Zhao
Qiwen Wang
Wenqi Peng
Zhenghe Xu
Muyun Yan
Spatial distribution and pollution assessment of nitrogen, phosphorus, and heavy metals in the surface sediments of Xiaonanhai Lake, Hubei Province
River
eutrophication level
heavy metal pollution
spatial autocorrelation
spatial characteristics
Xiaonanhai Lake
title Spatial distribution and pollution assessment of nitrogen, phosphorus, and heavy metals in the surface sediments of Xiaonanhai Lake, Hubei Province
title_full Spatial distribution and pollution assessment of nitrogen, phosphorus, and heavy metals in the surface sediments of Xiaonanhai Lake, Hubei Province
title_fullStr Spatial distribution and pollution assessment of nitrogen, phosphorus, and heavy metals in the surface sediments of Xiaonanhai Lake, Hubei Province
title_full_unstemmed Spatial distribution and pollution assessment of nitrogen, phosphorus, and heavy metals in the surface sediments of Xiaonanhai Lake, Hubei Province
title_short Spatial distribution and pollution assessment of nitrogen, phosphorus, and heavy metals in the surface sediments of Xiaonanhai Lake, Hubei Province
title_sort spatial distribution and pollution assessment of nitrogen phosphorus and heavy metals in the surface sediments of xiaonanhai lake hubei province
topic eutrophication level
heavy metal pollution
spatial autocorrelation
spatial characteristics
Xiaonanhai Lake
url https://doi.org/10.1002/rvr2.70007
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