TY  - JOUR
AU  - Sharmin, Shaila 
AU  - Zakir, H. M. 
AU  - Shikazono, Naotatsu 
PY  - 2010
TI  - Rare Earth Elements and Geochemical Partitioning of Zn and Pb in Sediments of an Urban River
JF  - American Journal of Environmental Sciences
VL  - 6
IS  - 5
DO  - 10.3844/ajessp.2010.406.415
UR  - https://thescipub.com/abstract/ajessp.2010.406.415
AB  - Problem statement: Urban river sediment pollution due to Zn and Pb is a serious problem
in all over the world. The source and level of Zn and Pb pollution in sediments of Nomi River of Ota
Ward, one of the most industrialized areas in Tokyo, Japan is still lacking. Approach: The present
study focused on Rare Earth Elements (REEs) and geochemical partitioning of Zn and Pb in sediments
of 19 sampling sites of Nomi River in order to examine the mobility pattern. The amounts of Zn and
Pb in the liquid extract of 5 (five) geochemical phases were measured by using Inductively Coupled
Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) and the concentrations of REEs in sediments were determined
by using X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (XRF). Results: Speciation data indicate dominant labile
fraction of Zn, which is related to the presence of several anthropogenic influence of the investigated
area. Enrichment Factor (EFc) and Index of geoaccumulation (Igeo) value were compatible with the
result, which confirm pollution status of Zn. Environmental risk of Zn and Pb were also evaluated
using the Risk Assessment Code (RAC) and sequential extraction results and found Zn poses high to
very high risk (34-59), whereas Pb poses low to medium environmental risk (0-19). Conclusion: The
mean values of REEs and other minor elements were lower or very close to average shale and Japanese
river sediment value but Sr, Sn, Zr and Sb contents were little bit higher than average Japanese river
sediment values. Anthropogenic activities, prevalent in the study area play a key role in the
accumulation of Zn and Pb in aquatic system. Early warning on the sediment pollution to respective
authorities help in preserving the aquatic system from further degradation of the river.