Heavy metal contamination from sediment and soil in the riparian zone of the Three Gorges Reservoir, China

In last ten years, significant sedimentation has occurred, particularly in the lower portions of riparian zone of the Three Gorges Reservoir. However, the sediment and related environment effect did no explore well. In this study, sediment and soil in situ were collected in riparian zone, Three Gorges Reservoir, and heavy metals were analyzed and assessment. Results demonstrated:( 1) concentration of heavy metals (except Cr and Ni) in sediment were significantly higher than those in soil; (2) sediment was moderately polluted by Cu and Pb, while soil were unpolluted-moderately polluted by As and Cu; (3) all of heavy metals both from sediment and soil are a potentially minor risk. Enrichment of heavy metals in riparian sediment is probably of formation regime and anthropogenic activities related pollutant emission. Therefore, enhanced control of water and soil, and pollution in the upper stream of the Yangtze River and the Three Gorges Reservoir area are recommended.