Occurrence, bioavailability, and environmental risk of heavy metals and metalloids in the sediment and drawdown area of fengshuba drinking water reservoir

Heavy metal and metalloid pollution in reservoir systems has attracted widespread attention due to their toxic, persistent, and nonbiodegradable characteristics. This study investigated the distribution and risks of heavy metals and metalloids in the sediment and drawdown area of the Fengshuba reservoir system. Sediment phase exhibited substantial heavy metal and metalloid pollution and higher ecological risk that the drawdown phase. There were significant differences in the structure and composition of the total metal content and the bioavailable fraction between the sediment and the drawdown area, which indicates that the total metal content and the bioavailable fraction might dominantly regulate by a complex combination of sediment characteristics. Positive Matrix Factorization model was used to identify sources of heavy metals and metalloids pollution and revealed that heavy metals and metalloids contamination in Fengshuba reservoir might originate from anthropogenic activities. Evaluations from risk assessment show that As and Cd in the reservoir system may pose health risks. Knowledge of distribution, potential risk assessment, and source apportionment of heavy metals and metalloids in the Fengshuba drinking water is critical in promoting the sustainable development of the reservoir, developing water management and conservation strategies in the Fengshuba reservoir.