Heavy metals of natural and reclaimed tidal riparian wetlands in south estuary, China

The concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn in two plant species (Scirpus tripueter Linn. and Cyperus malaccensis Lam.), water, and soils sampled from the reclaimed tidal riparian wetlands (RTRWs) and the natural riparian wetlands (NRWs) in the Pearl River estuary (PRE), were analyzed to investigate and compare their distribution and accumulation. The results show that the concentrations of the six studied heavy metals in soils exceed the eco-toxic threshold recommended by USEPA. The concentrations of Cd, Cr, and Zn in plants may lead to toxic effects compared to others.The hydraulic conditions and the degree of human disturbances can affect the heavy metal accumulation in RTRWs and NRWs. The heavy metal concentrations in water are higher whereas they are lower in soils of RTRWs Compared with that in the NRWs. The accumulation of heavy metals in the roots of plants is higher in NRWs than those in RTRWs while the opposite result is found for heavy metal accumulation in shoots. Based on the bioaccumulation and translocation factors, the plants in NRWs have the higher capacity to accumulate heavy metals, while higher abilities to transport heavy metals from roots to shoots are observed in RTRWs. Heavy metal contaminations in RTRWs are dominated by anthropogenic sources from both side uplands and river water, whereas in NRWs, the metal accumulations are simultaneously affected by anthropogenic and natural factors.