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Pollution characteristics and ecological risk of heavy metals in ballast tank sediment

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Abstract

This study was conducted to illustrate the contents and potential ecological risk of heavy metals in ballast tank sediment. Ballast sediment samples were collected from six ships during their stay in shipyard, and the heavy metals were determined by inductive coupled plasma emission spectrometer. Results showed that high concentrations of heavy metals were detected in all six sediment samples following the order: Zn > Cu > Pb > Cr > As > Cd > Hg. The geoaccumulation index explained the average pollution degree of heavy metals decreased as the following: Zn > Pb > Cu > As > Cr > Hg, and the environmental risk indices suggested that concentration found of Zn, Pb, and Cu might be highly toxic to aquatic organisms. Principal component and correlation analysis indicated the metal pollution in ballast tank sediment was affected by complex and different contamination mechanisms, and the corrosion of ballast tank played an important role in this process. In conclusion, this study is very useful for comprehensive consideration and efficient management of ballast tank sediment in order to protect the marine environment.

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Acknowledgements

The research was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (51508318), the “Chenguang Program” (15CG53) from Shanghai Education Development Foundation and Shanghai Municipal Education Commission, the training project of young college faculty of Shanghai (ZZshhs15106), and the project from Shanghai Committee of Science and Technology (16ZR1414800).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Ocean Science and Engineering, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai, 201306, China

    Daolun Feng, Xiaofei Chen, Qun Qian, Dexiang Liao & Baoyi Lv

  2. Jiangyin Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau, Jiangyin, 214442, China

    Wen Tian & Hao Shen

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  1. Daolun Feng
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  2. Xiaofei Chen
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  3. Wen Tian
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  4. Qun Qian
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  5. Hao Shen
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  6. Dexiang Liao
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  7. Baoyi Lv
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Correspondence to Baoyi Lv.

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Responsible editor: Philippe Garrigues

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Feng, D., Chen, X., Tian, W. et al. Pollution characteristics and ecological risk of heavy metals in ballast tank sediment. Environ Sci Pollut Res 24, 3951–3958 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-016-8113-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-016-8113-z

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