The Level and Distribution Characteristics of Heavy Metals in Sediments of Huaihe River

O-31B7-3 Background/Aims: To describe the pollution characteristics of heavy metals in the Huaihe River sediment. Methods: We collected the articles on heavy metals in Huai River Basin and analyzed the pollution characteristics of 8 heavy metals elements in 50 sediment sections. Results: The average level of Cr in sediments of the Huaihe River is 63.7 mg/kg (47.2–123.6 mg/kg), which is 1.10 times the average levels in stream sediments of China and higher than that in other water systems in China except the Yangtze River. The Mn is 719 mg/kg (439–1124 mg/kg), which is 1.05 times the average levels in stream sediments of China. The Cu is 29.9 mg/kg (6.0–65.6 mg/kg), which is 1.42 times the average levels in stream sediments of China. The Zn is 79.2 mg/kg (39.2–230.1 mg/kg), which is 1.16 times the average levels in stream sediments of China. The Cd is 0.29 mg/kg (0.10–0.96 mg/kg), which is 2.07 times the average levels in stream sediments of China. The Pb is 29.5 mg/kg (17.3–72.8 mg/kg), which is 1.18 times the average levels in stream sediments of China. The Hg is 0.08 mg/kg (0.03∼0.36 mg/kg), which is 2.00 times the average levels in stream sediments of China. The As is 12.6 mg/kg (9.0–21.8 mg/kg), which is 1.38 times the average levels in stream sediments of China. The percentage of cross-section where the levels of heavy metals in sediments of Huaihe River are higher than average in stream sediments of China are 90.5% for As, 86.0% for Cd, 68.0% for Zn, 66.7% for Hg, 65.0% for Cu, 57.6% for Mn, 55.3% for Cr, and 50.0% for Pb, respectively. Conclusion: The levels of heavy metals in Huaihe River sediments are at a relatively high level compared with other river basins in China. Of them, the Cr is the most serious pollution, which is higher than that of other 6 China's major river basins, except the Yangtze River.