Pollution character of heavy metals in the water-sediment system from Baotou section of the Yellow River
黄河包头段水-沉积物系统中重金属的污染特征

The numerous experimental researches were carried out on chemical forms of heavy metals to assess pollution characteristics of heavy metals of the sediments in the Baotou section of the Yellow River. Based on the experimental researches, using sediment quality criteria (SQC), and combining heavy metals distribution in the water column, suspensions, sediments and porewater, the potential risk of heavy metals in the sediments and piled effect of pollution on the industrial wastewater from the Baotou city for the mainstream of the Yellow River was assessed. The results showed that the trend of change of concentrations of heavy metals in the surface sediments is basically same as that in the suspensions, and the concentrations of heavy metals in the porewater are higher than those in the water column in the mainstream of the Baotou section of the Yellow River. The preliminary Sediment Quality Criteria (SQC) value showed that Pb and Cd are more harmful and easier pollution than Cu and Zn in the sediments. The industrial wastewaters from the Baotou city have obviously piled pollution effect on the mainstream of the Yellow River. In addition, the SQC calculated according to depth showed that it isn't appropriate that SQC values in a certain area or in a certain river section are represented for SQC values that are gotten from the mixed sediments of different depth sediments or the surface sediments.