ANTHROPOGENIC IMPACT ON THE CHEMICAL COMPOSITION IN THE TAIHU LAKE SEDIMENT

The concentrations of major elements and some trace elements were determined at 8 core locations in Taihu Lake. The chemical composition of the cores was related to the sediment particle size-chronology and location of sampling site.Concentrations of Al, Mg, K, Ca and Na, the major mineral species in the sediments, were generally uniform, with only slight fluctuation influenced by water waves and current. Surface enrichment of Cu, Zn, and Ni at some locations was observed to be greater than that of the sediments accumulated 100 years ago. The enrichment of these elements is attributed to anthropogenic input in recent years. Concentration profiles for Mn and Fe are related to the migration of these elements in the pore water.