TY - JOUR
T1 - Spatial and temporal organic and heavy metal pollution at Mai Po Marshes Nature Reserve, Hong Kong
AU - Liang, Y.
AU - Wong, M. H.
N1 - Funding Information:
The authors thank Dr. L. Young, Mr. K. H. Kok and Miss P. L. Chiu for technical assistance and comments from Prof. B. Shutes and Prof. M. Revitt at the initial stage of the study. Financial support from the Academic Link sponsored by the British Council and the Research Grants Council of the University Grants Committee of Hong Kong, and the Faculty Research Grant of Hong Kong Baptist University is gratefully acknowledged.
PY - 2003/9
Y1 - 2003/9
N2 - An intensive monthly sampling of water and sediments from 12 sites over 8 months covering wet and dry seasons at Mai Po Marshes Nature Reserve was conducted during June 1997-February 1998. Major organic (C, N and P) and heavy metal pollutants (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn) water and sediment samples were examined. The results showed that Mai Po Marshes were severely polluted by organic matter and heavy metals, and the water from Deep Bay appeared to be the source of pollution. Up to 13-55% chance that the sediments of Mai Po Marshes were classified as moderately to seriously metal contaminated materials, according to the guideline set by Hong Kong Government. Empirical models describing organic matter and heavy metal spatial and seasonal dynamics in the water and sediments were formulated, based on data analysis. During wet season (June-October), more than 58% variations of total P can be explained by ortho-P in water, while ammonia-N explained up to 90% variations of total Kjeldahl nitrogen in water. Throughout the whole sampling period (June-February), there were significant correlations (p < 0.01) between total organic C in water. pH in the sediments and salinity in water appeared to be important factors determining heavy metal mobility in sediments, while potential metal release from the sediments is a concern when any oxidizing processes such as flooding or dredging are imposed on sediments.
AB - An intensive monthly sampling of water and sediments from 12 sites over 8 months covering wet and dry seasons at Mai Po Marshes Nature Reserve was conducted during June 1997-February 1998. Major organic (C, N and P) and heavy metal pollutants (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn) water and sediment samples were examined. The results showed that Mai Po Marshes were severely polluted by organic matter and heavy metals, and the water from Deep Bay appeared to be the source of pollution. Up to 13-55% chance that the sediments of Mai Po Marshes were classified as moderately to seriously metal contaminated materials, according to the guideline set by Hong Kong Government. Empirical models describing organic matter and heavy metal spatial and seasonal dynamics in the water and sediments were formulated, based on data analysis. During wet season (June-October), more than 58% variations of total P can be explained by ortho-P in water, while ammonia-N explained up to 90% variations of total Kjeldahl nitrogen in water. Throughout the whole sampling period (June-February), there were significant correlations (p < 0.01) between total organic C in water. pH in the sediments and salinity in water appeared to be important factors determining heavy metal mobility in sediments, while potential metal release from the sediments is a concern when any oxidizing processes such as flooding or dredging are imposed on sediments.
KW - Biological conservation
KW - Heavy metals
KW - Organic pollution
KW - RAMSAR site
KW - Wetland
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0642375268&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/S0045-6535(03)00505-8
DO - 10.1016/S0045-6535(03)00505-8
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 12867199
AN - SCOPUS:0642375268
SN - 0045-6535
VL - 52
SP - 1647
EP - 1658
JO - Chemosphere
JF - Chemosphere
IS - 9
ER -