Evaluation of Zinc Contamination in the Sediments of Salt River Mouth, Taiwan

The distribution, enrichment, and accumulation of Zinc (Zn) in the surface sediments of Salt River mouth, Taiwan, were studied. Results show that samples collected from nine stations near the mouth of Salt River contain 440-1,820 mg/kg of Zn with average of 951 +/- 811 mg/kg. The spatial distribution of Zn reveals is relatively high in the river mouth region, and gradually diminishes toward the harbor region. This indicates that upstream industrial and municipal wastewater discharges along the river bank are major sources of pollution. Enrichment factor analysis indicates that the sediments of Salt River mouth were moderately severe enrichment with Zn. Geo-accumulation index analysis indicates that the sediments of Salt River mouth were strongly accumulated with Zn. Base on the comparison with sediment quality guidelines (SQGs), the concentrations of Zn in the sediments of Salt River mouth may cause acute biological damage.