About the Journal
In Memory of Professor Jerzy Radecki
Editorial Office
Editorial Board
Scope
Impact Factor
Indexed in...
Journal Impact Factor contributing items
Contact
Subscription
Current issue
Online first
Notes to Authors
Frequently Asked Questions
Editorial policies
PJOES Publication Policy Overview
PJOES Peer Review Policy
PJOES Research Ethics and Malpractice Policy
PJOES Plagiarism Policy
PJOES Conflict of Interest Policy
PJOES Open Access Policy
PJOES Instructions for Reviewers
Generative AI and AI-Assisted Technologies Policy
Archive
ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Ecological Risk Assessment of Heavy
Metals in Rainfall Runoff of Different Land
Use Types in Wuhu City
1
College of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Anhui Polytechnic University, Wuhu 241000, China
2
Engineering Research Center of Anhui Green Building and Digital Construction,
Anhui Polytechnic University, Wuhu 241000, China
3
Shanghai Municipal Engineering Design Institute, Shanghai 310000, China
Submission date: 2024-03-21
Final revision date: 2024-07-06
Acceptance date: 2024-08-15
Online publication date: 2024-11-07
Publication date: 2025-11-14
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2025;34(6):8213-8228
KEYWORDS
species sensitivity distributionheavy metal contaminationecological risk assessmentevent mean concentrationrisk quotient
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
With the rapid development of urbanization, heavy metal pollution resulting from runoff has
increased and also varies significantly according to different land uses. Research is still lacking,
however, on the risk assessment of heavy metals carried by the runoff. In the Wuhu urban area, we
selected seven types of land use, i.e., road square land, green land, commercial land, residential land,
industrial land, public building land, and dock land, to monitor the content of copper (Cu), cadmium
(Cd), and lead (Pb) in rainfall runoff. Furthermore, we evaluated the ecological risk of these three
heavy metals by risk quotient (RQ), which was developed on the basis of the predicted no-effect
concentration (PNEC) obtained by the species sensitivity distribution (SSD) curve. According to
the event mean concentration (EMC) of four effective rainfall events, compared with the Environmental
Quality Standard for Surface Water (GB 3838–2002), the statistical results showed that Cu, Cd, and Pb
in the rainfall runoff met Class II, IV, and V water quality standards, respectively, which were affected
mainly by the traffic activities and roofing materials in different types of land use. Industrial land has
experienced the worst pollution from all three of these heavy metals, and the other areas have been
polluted to different degrees by different heavy metals, which has resulted in significant differences
in toxicity to aquatic organisms. Generally, the ecological risks posed by heavy metals in rainfall runoff
have a high-risk degree, in the order of Cd < Pb < Cu. The ecological risk of Cu and Pb to freshwater
organisms is high, and that of Cd is medium. Therefore, the current environmental quality standard
for surface water in some areas like Wuhu City, China, has not fully considered the ecological impact
and has underestimated the ecological risks of heavy metals.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
REFERENCES (44)
1.
WANG J.X., FU H.Y., XU D.M., MU Z.Q., FU R.B. The Remediation Mechanisms and Effects of Chemical Amendments for Heavy Metals in Contaminated Soils: A Review of Literature. Polish Journal of Environmental Studies, 31 (5), 4511, 2022. https://doi.org/10.15244/pjoes....
2.
XIE F.Y., YU M.C., YUAN Q.K., MENG Y., QIE Y.K., SHANG Z.M., LUAN F.B., ZHANG D.L. Spatial distribution, pollution assessment, and source identification of heavy metals in the Yellow River. Journal Of Hazardous Materials, 436, 129309, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhaz... PMid:35739803.
3.
YEH G., HOANG H.G., LIN C., BUI X.T., TRAN H.T., SHERN C.C., VU C.T. Assessment of heavy metal contamination and adverse biological effects of an industrially affected river. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 27, 34770, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356... PMid:32016863.
4.
IZYDORCZYK G., MIKULA K., SKRZYPCZAK D., MOUSTAKAS K., WITEK-KROWIAK A., CHOJNACKA K. Potential environmental pollution from copper metallurgy and methods of management. Environmental Research, 197, 111050, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envr... PMid:33753074.
5.
RUAN R.J., WU H.Q., YU C.L., ZHAO C.S., ZHOU D.B., SHI X.Y., CAO J.S., HUANG B., LUO J.Y. Impacts of magnetic biochar from reed straw on anaerobic digestion of pigment sludge - Biomethane production and the transformation of heavy metals speciation. Process Biochemistry, 125, 96, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proc....
6.
QIAO P.W., WANG S., LIA J.B., ZHAO Q.Y., WEI Y. Process, influencing factors, and simulation of the lateral transport of heavy metals in surface runoff in a mining area driven by rainfall: A review. Science of The Total Environment, 857, 159119, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scit... PMid:36183764.
7.
LI C.X., LI M., ZENG J.Q., YUAN S.X., LUO X.H., WU C., XUE S. Migration and distribution characteristics of soil heavy metal(loid)s at a lead smelting site. Journal Of Environmental Sciences, 135, 600, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jes.... PMid:37778831.
8.
FRAGA I., CHARTERS F.J., O’SULLIVAN A.D., COCHRANE T.A. A novel modelling framework to prioritize estimation of non-point source pollution parameters for quantifying pollutant origin and discharge in urban catchments. Journal Of Environmental Management, 167, 75, 2016. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenv... PMid:26613353.
9.
EL-SOROGY A.S., AL-HASHIM M.H., ALMADANI S.A., GIACOBBE S., NOUR H.E. Potential contamination and health risk assessment of heavy metals in Hurghada coastal sediments, Northwestern Red Sea. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 198, 115924, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marp... PMid:38103499.
10.
CHEN S.Z., WU D.S. Adapting ecological risk valuation for natural resource damage assessment in water pollution. Environmental Research, 164, 85, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envr... PMid:29482187.
11.
YU L., CHEN S.B., WANG J., QIN L.Y., SUN X.Y., ZHANG X., WANG M. Environmental risk thresholds and prediction models of Cd in Chinese agricultural soils. Science of The Total Environment, 906, 167773, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scit... PMid:37839484.
12.
DING R., WEI D.B., WU Y.H., LIAO Z.T., LU Y., CHEN Z., GAO H.A., XU H.W., HU H.Y. Profound regional disparities shaping the ecological risk in surface waters: A case study on cadmium across China. Journal Of Hazardous Materials, 465, 133450, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhaz... PMid:38198868.
13.
HUANG B., YUAN Z.J., LI D.Q., ZHENG M.G., NIE X.D., LIAO Y.S. Effects of soil particle size on the adsorption, distribution, and migration behaviors of heavy metal(loid)s in soil: a review. Environmental Science-Processes & Impacts, 22 (8), 1596, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1039/D0EM00... PMid:32657283.
14.
WANG Z., XIAO J., WANG L.Q., LIANG T., GUO Q.J., GUAN Y.L., RINKLEBE J. Elucidating the differentiation of soil heavy metals under different land uses with geographically weighted regression and self-organizing map. Environmental Pollution, 260, 114065, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envp... PMid:32041011.
15.
Editorial Board of Water and Wastewater Monitoring and Analysis Methods, Ministry of Environmental Protection of the People’s Republic of China eds. Water and Wastewater Monitoring and Analysis Methods: 4th edition; China Environmental Science Press: Beijing, China, pp. 324, 2002 [In Chinese].
16.
WANG F.Y., TESSIER A. Zero-valent sulfur and metal speciation in sediment porewaters of freshwater lakes. Environmental Science and Technology, 43 (19), 7252, 2009. https://doi.org/10.1021/es8034... PMid:19848130.
17.
Environmental quality standards for surface water. Available online: https://www.mee.gov.cn/ywgz/fg... (Accessed: 28 April 2002).
18.
ZHANG S.X., ZENG X., SUN P., NI T.H. Ecological risk characteristics of sediment-bound heavy metals in large shallow lakes for aquatic organisms: The case of Taihu Lake, China. Journal Of Environmental Management, 342, 118253, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenv... PMid:37295144.
19.
ZHANG Z.X., LI J.K., WANG H.Y., LI Y.J., DUAN X.L. Impact of co-contamination by PAHs and heavy metals on micro-ecosystem in bioretention systems with soil, sand, and water treatment residuals. Journal of Cleaner Production, 383, 135417, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcle....
20.
European Commission. Technical Guidance Document on risk assessment in support of Commission Directive 93/67/EEC on risk assessment for new notified substances, Commission Regulation (EC) No 1488/94 on risk assessment for existing substances. Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, 2003.
21.
VERLICCHI P., AL AUKIDY M., GALLETTI A., PETROVIC M., BARCELÓ D. Hospital effluent: Investigation of the concentrations and distribution of pharmaceuticals and environmental risk assessment. Science of the Total Environment, 430, 109, 2012. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scit... PMid:22634557.
22.
GONG Y.F., ZHANG Z.M., ZENG X.P. Distribution of Heavy Metal Contents in Soil Producing *Uncaria rhynchophylla* (Miq.) Miq. ex Havil. In Guizhou: Driven by Land Use Patterns. Polish Journal of Environmental Studies, 32 (4), 3113, 2023. https://doi.org/10.15244/pjoes... PMid:18594613.
23.
PETROSELLI A., WALEGA A., MLYNSKI D., RADECKI-PAWLIK A., CUPAK A., HATHAWAY J. Rainfall-runoff modeling: A modification of the EBA4SUB framework for ungauged and highly impervious urban catchments. Journal Of Hydrology, 606, 127371, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhyd....
24.
LI W., SHEN Z.Y., TIAN T., LIU R.M., QIU J.L. Temporal variation of heavy metal pollution in urban stormwater runoff. Frontiers Of Environmental Science and Engineering, 6 (5), 692, 2012. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783....
25.
QIAN G.P., ZHANG J.Y., LI X., YU H.N., GONG X.B., CHEN J.Y. Study on pollution characteristics of urban pavement runoff. Water Science and Technology, 84 (7), 1745, 2021. https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.20... PMid:34662310.
26.
LEE J.Y., KIM H., KIM Y., HAN M.Y. Characteristics of the event mean concentration (EMC) from rainfall runoff on an urban highway. Environmental Pollution, 159 (4), 884, 2011. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envp... PMid:21247680.
27.
XUE H.Q., ZHAO L., LIU X.D. Characteristics of heavy metal pollution in road runoff in the Nanjing urban area, East China. Water Science & Technology, 81 (9), 1961, 2020. https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.20... PMid:32666949.
28.
LUO H., YANG J., HE B.J., ZHANG W.H., YANG M.Y., DENG S.Y., ZUO Y.H. Removal effect of typical pollutants from stormwater runoff in ecological ditches. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 30 (40), 92317, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356... PMid:37488381.
29.
YUAN L.Z., WANG K., ZHAO Q.L., YANG L., WANG G.Z., JIANG M., LI L.L. An overview of in situ remediation for groundwater co-contaminated with heavy metals and petroleum hydrocarbons. Journal Of Environmental Management, 349, 119342, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenv... PMid:37890298.
30.
MA Y.K., MCGREE J., LIU A., DEILAMI K., EGODAWATTA P., GOONETILLEKE A. Catchment scale assessment of risk posed by traffic generated heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Ecotoxicology And Environmental Safety, 144, 593, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoe... PMid:28688995.
31.
LIU A., MA Y.K., GUNAWARDENA J.M.A., EGODAWATTA P., AYOKO G.A., GOONETILLEKE A. Heavy metals transport pathways: The importance of atmospheric pollution contributing to stormwater pollution. Ecotoxicology And Environmental Safety, 164, 696, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoe... PMid:30172206.
32.
HERATH D., PITAWALA A., GUNATILAKE J., IQBAL M.C.M. Using multiple methods to assess heavy metal pollution in an urban city. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 190 (11), 657, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661... PMid:30343366.
33.
GUNAWARDANA C., GOONETILLEKE A., EGODAWATTA P., DAWES L., KOKOT S. Source characterisation of road dust based on chemical and mineralogical composition. Chemosphere, 87 (2), 163, 2012. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chem... PMid:22209254.
34.
MARÍN C., EL BACHAWATI M., PÉREZ G. The impact of green roofs on urban runoff quality: A review. Urban Forestry and Urban Greening, 90, 128138, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug....
35.
WANG M.M., LV Y.Y., LV X.Y., WANG Q.H., LI Y.Y., LU P., YU H., WEI P.K., CAO Z.G., AN T.C. Distribution, sources and health risks of heavy metals in indoor dust across China. Chemosphere, 313, 137595, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chem... PMid:36563718.
36.
RASHID S., SHAH I.A., TULCAN R.X.S., RASHID W., SILLANPAA M. Contamination, exposure, and health risk assessment of Hg in Pakistan: A review. Environmental Pollution, 301, 118995, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envp... PMid:35189298.
37.
PÉREZ-FORTES A.P., GIUDICI H. A recent overview of the effect of road surface properties on road safety, environment, and how to monitor them. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 29 (44), 65993, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356... PMid:35907073.
38.
CAO Y., WANG R.M., LIU Y.Y., LI Y.J., JIA L.F., YANG Q.X., ZENG X.P., LI X.L., WANG Q., WANG R.F., RIAZ L. Improved Calculations of Heavy Metal Toxicity Coefficients for Evaluating Potential Ecological Risk in Sediments Based on Seven Major Chinese Water Systems. Toxics, 11 (8), 650, 2023. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics... PMid:37624156 PMCid:PMC10459401.
39.
AVELLANEDA P.M., ENGLEHARDT J.D., OLASCOAGA J., BABCOCK E.A., BRAND L., LIRMAN D., ROGGE W.F., SOLO-GABRIELE H., TCHOBANOGLOUS G. Relative risk assessment of cruise ships biosolids disposal alternatives. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 62 (10), 2157, 2011. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marp... PMid:21821268.
40.
LIU B.Q., WANG J., XU M., ZHAO L., WANG Z.F. Spatial distribution, source apportionment and ecological risk assessment of heavy metals in the sediments of Haizhou Bay national ocean park, China. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 149, 110651, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marp....
41.
JIN X.W., LIU F., WANG Y.Y., ZHANG L.S., LI Z., WANG Z.J., GIESY J.P., WANG Z. Probabilistic ecological risk assessment of copper in Chinese offshore marine environments from 2005 to 2012. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 94 (1-2), 96, 2015. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marp... PMid:25778548.
42.
JIANG C.B., LI J.K., HU Y.H., YAO Y.T., LI H.E. Construction of water-soil-plant system for rainfall vertical connection in the concept of sponge city: A review. Journal Of Hydrology, 605, 127327, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhyd....
43.
LINDFORS S., ÖSTERLUND H., LUNDY L., VIKLANDER M. Evaluation of measured dissolved and bio-met predicted bioavailable Cu, Ni and Zn concentrations in runoff from three urban catchments. Journal Of Environmental Management, 287, 112263, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenv... PMid:33714042.
44.
SHARMA R., MALAVIYA P. Management of stormwater pollution using green infrastructure: The role of rain gardens. Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews-Water, 8 (2), e1507, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1002/wat2.1....
Share
RELATED ARTICLE
| eISSN: | 2083-5906 |
| ISSN: | 1230-1485 |
We process personal data collected when visiting the website. The function of obtaining information about users and their behavior is carried out by voluntarily entered information in forms and saving cookies in end devices. Data, including cookies, are used to provide services, improve the user experience and to analyze the traffic in accordance with the Privacy policy. Data are also collected and processed by Google Analytics tool (more).
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
