Contamination and Ecological Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Surface Sediments of Huangshui River, Northwest China

In the Xining area of Huangshui River, China, concentrations globally alarming toxic heavy metals such as chromium (Cr), arsenic (As), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and zinc (Zn) in surface sediments were measured to determine ecological risks riverine ecosystem. Overall, relatively high. The results indicated that Pb/Zn/Cr lower than 120/250/200 mg·kg−1 which was risk screening value each metal for soil contamination agricultural land (GB15618-2018). As/Cd higher 120/3.0 intervention Their values arranged following decreasing order: As (151.23–818.55 mg·kg−1) > Cr (44.18–201.70 Pb (29.10–121.95 Zn (1.45–86.18 Cd (4.36–6.21 mg·kg−1). As, Pb, greatly exceeded background contents elements Qinghai soils. While background. factor (CF), geoaccumulation index (Igeo), potential (RI) Cr, Cd, followed descending order Zn. enrichment (EF) follows: level implied condition is frightening probably severely affecting aquatic ecology. main contributing should be mainly studied prevented.