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Arid Land Geography ›› 2025, Vol. 48 ›› Issue (12): 2111-2121.doi: 10.12118/j.issn.1000-6060.2025.040

• Ecology and Environment • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Pollution and potential risk assessment of heavy metals in small wetlands in the Bosten Lake Basin

CHEN Mingli1(), Maimaitituerxun AIZEZI1,2(), WANG Liling1, HU Yonglong1   

  1. 1 College of Geographical Science and Tourism, Xinjiang Normal University, Urumqi 830054, Xinjiang, China
    2 Laboratory of Arid Zone Lake Environment and Resources, Urumqi 830054, Xinjiang, China
  • Received:2025-01-19 Revised:2025-03-10 Online:2025-12-25 Published:2025-12-30
  • Contact: Maimaitituerxun AIZEZI E-mail:18742940749@163.com;oasiseco@xjnu.edu.cn

Abstract:

Small wetlands in arid regions are of critical importance to the stability of ecosystems and human life and survival. A total of 86 water samples were collected from representative small wetlands within the Bosten Lake Basin in Xinjiang, China to determine the contents of six heavy metal elements, including Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, Hg, and As. The Nemerow comprehensive pollution index, ecological risk index, and the US EPA health risk assessment model were employed to analyze pollution levels, potential ecological and health risks of heavy metals in small wetlands. The findings indicated that the average concentrations of each heavy metal in the small wetlands within the study area were lower than the Class III standard limit stipulated in the Environmental Quality Standards for Surface Water (GB 3838-2002). The single pollution index and comprehensive pollution index of six heavy metals in the small wetlands fall into the non-pollution level. The single ecological risk index and comprehensive ecological risk index of heavy metals in small wetlands are classified as low ecological risk. The potential health risks assessment revealed that the non-carcinogenic risks caused by six heavy metals in these wetlands were found to be within acceptable limits. However, the carcinogenic risks posed by Cd and As were found to be within acceptable parameters as well. The potential non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks of six heavy metals in small wetlands are higher for adults than for children. Overall, Hg was identified as the predominant pollution and ecological risk factor, while As was determined to be the primary potential health risk factor for small wetlands within the study area. The findings of this study offer a scientific foundation for the environmental security of water in arid regions.

Key words: small wetland, heavy metal, pollution, potential risk, Bosten Lake Basin