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Tempo-spatial variations of sediment-associated nutrients and contaminants in the Ruxi tributary of the Three Gorges Reservoir, China

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Abstract

Ruxi River is a tributary of the Three Gorges Reservoir. This study examined the temporal and spatial dynamics in particle size characteristics and the associated nutrients and contaminants of the fluvial suspended and deposited sediments along the Ruxi River. Temporal variations in the particle size distribution of the suspended sediment are controlled mainly by differences in sediment source during different seasons. Total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorous (TP) in the < 62 μm fraction of the suspended sediment exhibit considerably higher concentrations in spring, indicating high probability of algal blooms in the backwater areas. Downstream trends in the nutrient contents of < 62 μm deposited sediments imply the greatest potential for eutrophication in the backwater ends, where highest nutrient concentrations were detected. Assessment of metal contamination shows that the sediments deposited in the water-level fluctuation zone were moderately to strongly contaminated by Cadmium (Cd), with a considerably high potential ecological risk. The findings reported have emphasized the impacts of reservoir impoundment on aquatic and/or terrestrial environment in this region. More information on physical, chemical and biological processes of sediment and sediment-associated materials are needed for developing environmentally and ecologically sound policies of water and sediment management.

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Acknowledgements

The study reported in this paper was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (41430750, 41301293) and the National Key R&D Program of China (2017YFD0800505, 2016YFC0402301).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Mountain Surface Processes and Ecological Regulation, Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, 610041, China

    Zhong-lin Shi, Yong-yan Wang, An-bang Wen, Dong-chun Yan & Jia-cun Chen

  2. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China

    Yong-yan Wang & Jia-cun Chen

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  1. Zhong-lin Shi
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  2. Yong-yan Wang
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  3. An-bang Wen
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  4. Dong-chun Yan
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Correspondence to Yong-yan Wang.

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Shi, Zl., Wang, Yy., Wen, Ab. et al. Tempo-spatial variations of sediment-associated nutrients and contaminants in the Ruxi tributary of the Three Gorges Reservoir, China. J. Mt. Sci. 15, 319–326 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11629-017-4486-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11629-017-4486-9

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