Accumulation, ecological health risks, and source identification of potentially toxic elements in river sediments of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China

The Qarhan Salt Lake is the largest brine lake on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP), which contains some potentially toxic elements (PTEs) due to the increase of human activities. This study endeavor encompassed the collection of 62 sediment samples from eight rivers that recharge the Qarhan Salt Lake, and the measurement of seven PTEs' concentrations (As, Hg, Pb, Cd, Cu, Ni, and Zn). Results indicated that the concentrations of most PTEs were lower than their local soil background values, except for Hg and Cd, which surpassed the background contents by 6.8 and 1.1 times, respectively. The Igeo and PLI outcomes demonstrated a relatively low level of Hg contamination. Hg was the most hazardous elements with the mean ecological risk factor of 273.88. The Hazard Index (HI) values for PTEs were computed at 0.20 and 0.46 for adults and children, respectively, indicating that neither group was at a non-carcinogenic risk. Through the utilization of source identification methods, this study identified three predominant sources responsible for PTEs in the area: natural geogenic sources, anthropogenic sources and atmospheric deposition inputs. The findings of this study provide a robust scientific foundation for the management of the ecological environment security of rivers in the QTP.