Trace metal contamination of sediments in an e-waste processing village in China

This study examined trace metal contamination of sediments in Guiyu, China where primitive e-waste processing activities have been carried out. It was found that some river sediments in Guiyu were contaminated with Cd (n.d.–10.3 mg/kg), Cu (17.0–4540 mg/kg), Ni (12.4–543 mg/kg), Pb (28.6–590 mg/kg), and Zn (51.3–324 mg/kg). The 206Pb/ 207Pb and 208Pb/ 207Pb ratios of the Pb-contaminated sediments of Lianjiang (1.1787 ± 0.0057 and 2.4531 ± 0.0095, respectively) were lower than those of Nanyang River (1.1996 ± 0.0059 and 2.4855 ± 0.0082, respectively), indicating a significant input of non-indigenous Pb with low 206Pb/ 207Pb and 208Pb/ 207Pb ratios. Copper, Pb and Zn in the non-residual fractions noticeably increased in the contaminated sediments compared to those in the uncontaminated sediments. A genuine concern is associated with potential transport of the contaminated sediments downstream and enhanced solubility and mobility of trace metals in the non-residual fractions. A long history of extensive and primitive processing activities of e-waste has caused serious trace metal contamination of the aquatic environment in Guiyu, China.