Distribution Patterns and Evaluation on Potential Ecological Risk of Heavy Metals in Surface Sediments of the Yellow Sea

[Objective] The aim was to study distribution patterns of heavy metals in surface sediments of the Yellow Sea and evaluate its potential ecological risk.[Method] Content distribution and enrichment situation of heavy metals including Cu,Mn,Pb,Zn,Cr,Fe,Hg and Cd in surface sediments of the Yellow Sea were analyzed.The correlativity between every two heavy metals as well as between the heavy metal and organic matter were analyzed.Simultaneously,pollution levels of these heavy metals including Cu,Pb,Zn,Cr,Hg and Cd and their potential ecological risks were evaluated by the index method on potential ecological risk.[Result] The contents of Cu,Pb,Zn,Cr,Fe and Hg in surface sediments appeared higher in the mid of South Yellow Sea and west of North Yellow Sea but lower at the Haizhou bay and north of North Yellow Sea,and Mn,Cd distributed unevenly.Positive correlation was found between the concentrations of every two metals;the correlation coefficient between Pb and Zn,Zn and Cr was 0.97 and 0.96,respectively,while for Pb and Cr the coefficient was 0.94.The correlation coefficients between Cd and the other metals(except Cu) was very low,showing no remarkable correlation relationship.The potential ecological evaluation proves that surface sediment in the major sites were in the slight ecological risk condition,but that of some sites were in moderate ecological risk condition.The pollution degree of these heavy metal was in order of CdHgCuPbCrZn,with Cd being the potential impact element for the ecological environment of the Yellow Sea.From the results of cluster analysis,the mid of South Yellow Sea had lower sediment environmental quality,therefore much attention should be paid to these areas.[Conclusion] The research provides theoretical basis for environmental protection of the Yellow Sea and the sustainable development of ecological system.