Intra- and inter-habitat variation in sediment heavy metals, antibiotics and ecological risks in Mai Po RAMSAR, China

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

4 Scopus Citations
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Author(s)

  • Kit-Ling Lam
  • Nora Fung-Yee Tam
  • Steven Jing-Liang Xu
  • Wing-Yin Mo
  • Ping-Lung Chan
  • And 1 others
  • Fred Wang-Fat Lee

Detail(s)

Original languageEnglish
Article number115178
Journal / PublicationMarine Pollution Bulletin
Volume193
Online published22 Jun 2023
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2023

Abstract

Distribution of heavy metals (HMs) and antibiotics (ABs) in surface sediments of three habitats: mudflat, mangrove and gei wai (inter-tidal shrimp ponds), at Mai Po RAMSAR were determined with inductively coupled plasma and liquid chromatograph tandem - mass spectrometry, respectively. Eight HMs (Cr, As, Pb, Cd, Mn, Ni, Cu and Zn), and ten ABs (tetracyclines, quinolones, macrolides and sulphonamides) were detected in all habitats, with relatively lower concentration in gei wai. Ecological risk assessment based on PNEC revealed that HMs posed a higher ecological risk to microorganisms than ABs. All metals except Mn were above their respective threshold effect levels according to sediment quality guidelines, indicating their potential toxicity to benthos. The enrichment factor and geo-accumulation index on background values suggested sediments were moderately polluted by Zn, Cu and Cd, possibly from anthropogenic inputs. This study implies that HMs pollution must be prevented through proper regulation of agricultural and industrial discharge. © 2023 Elsevier Ltd

Research Area(s)

  • Anthropogenic pollution, Gei wai shrimp pond, Mangrove habitat, Mudflat, Risk quotient

Citation Format(s)

Intra- and inter-habitat variation in sediment heavy metals, antibiotics and ecological risks in Mai Po RAMSAR, China. / Lam, Kit-Ling; Tam, Nora Fung-Yee; Xu, Steven Jing-Liang et al.
In: Marine Pollution Bulletin, Vol. 193, 115178, 08.2023.

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review