Geochemistry, health risk assessment and statistical source identification of dissolved trace elements in surface water of the Chishui River, China

Abstract

As the most famous wine industry area in China, the concentration of dissolved trace elements (DTEs) in surface water of the Chishui River has attracted attention. Ten DTEs including Li, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, As, Cd, Tl and Pb in surface water were determined from five specific sampling sites in the Chishui River. The concentrations of DTEs were between 0.001 μg L⁻¹ and 77.6 μg L⁻¹. The DTEs showed a different spatial distribution. Among the ten DTEs, the average concentration of Fe at five sites was the highest (39.2 μg L⁻¹). The results indicated that the concentrations of ten DTEs in the Chishui River were within the allowed standard of safe water guidelines, and at a lower level compared with most rivers in China. The hazard quotient (HQ) and the hazard index (HI) value levels of the ten DTEs in all sampling sites did not exceed the acceptable risk limits of non-carcinogenic value. Adults are less sensitive to the risks than children, and oral intake was the primary exposure pathway. Pearson's correlation analysis, principal component analysis (PCA), and cluster analysis (CA) indicated that V, Cr, Fe and Pb were mainly derived from the parent material of soil, geochemical action and various municipal wastewater. The sources of Li, As, and Tl were closely related to municipal and industrial wastewater. Mn, Ni and Cd were mainly derived from agricultural non-point sources.