Multivariate analysis of heavy metal contaminations in seawater and sediments from a heavily industrialized harbor in Southern Taiwan
Journal
Marine Pollution Bulletin
Journal Volume
76
Journal Issue
1-2
Pages
266-275
Date Issued
2013
Author(s)
Abstract
Heavy metal pollution, including chromium, zinc, arsenic, cadmium, mercury, copper, lead, and aluminum, in the largest industrial harbor in southern Taiwan was investigated. Increasing metal contamination was observed by monitoring heavy metal concentrations in seawater and sediments and estimating the enrichment factors, particularly those inside the harbor. Compared to other metal-polluted harbors worldwide, the presence of chromium in the sediments was relatively high. Excluding the background contribution, the harbor area was polluted by outflows from river mouths, wastewater discharging pipes, and point sources near industrial activities within the harbor. It is shown by principal component and cluster analyses that metal contamination was affected by a wide range of different and complex contamination mechanisms inside and outside the harbor, suggesting managing the pollution using straightforward strategies, i.e., solutions that only consider a single source or single pathway of metal emissions, is problematic. © 2013 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Subjects
Enrichment factor; Heavy metals; Principal component analysis; Seawater; Sediment
SDGs
Other Subjects
Enrichment factors; Heavy metal concentration; Heavy metal contamination; Heavy metal pollution; Industrial activities; Multi variate analysis; Principal Components; Straightforward strategy; Chromium; Cluster analysis; Heavy metals; Industry; Principal component analysis; River pollution; Seawater; Sediments; aluminum; arsenic; cadmium; chromium; copper; heavy metal; lead; mercury; sea water; zinc; cluster analysis; concentration (composition); enrichment; harbor; heavy metal; marine pollution; marine sediment; principal component analysis; seawater; sediment pollution; article; cluster analysis; controlled study; environmental enrichment; industrial waste; marine environment; metal recovery; multivariate analysis; nonhuman; pipeline; principal component analysis; river; seasonal variation; sediment; Taiwan; waste water; water contamination; Taiwan; Enrichment factor; Heavy metals; Principal component analysis; Seawater; Sediment; Environmental Monitoring; Geologic Sediments; Metals, Heavy; Multivariate Analysis; Seawater; Taiwan; Water Pollutants, Chemical
Type
journal article