Spatial and seasonal characteristics of dissolved heavy metals in the surface seawater of the Yellow River Estuary, China

Spatial-seasonal variations, sources and correlations with seawater physiochemical factors and the pollution indexes of dissolved heavy metals in the surface seawater of the Yellow River Estuary in China were investigated. The concentrations of copper (Cu), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As) and mercury (Hg) had ranges of 0.04–31.0 (11.6 ± 7.08), 0.42–13.3 (5.61 ± 3.55), 1.97–42.2 (14.9 ± 12.0), 0.10–1.90 (0.66 ± 0.37), 0.16–5.89 (2.59 ± 1.12) and 0.10–0.52 μg/L (0.24 ± 0.07), respectively, throughout the four seasons of the year. The concentrations of Cu, Pb, Zn and Cd were significantly high in winter relative to those in the other seasons, and the highest concentrations of Zn and Hg were detected in spring. The single contaminator factors of the elements are in the following order: Pb > Hg > Cu > Zn > Cd > As. The obtained degree of contamination showed that the Yellow River Estuary was highly polluted. The Cu and Zn concentrations were significantly correlated with temperature and suspended particulate matter (SPM). The Cd concentrations were significantly correlated with temperature, SPM, chemical oxygen demand (COD) and dissolved oxygen (DO). The As concentrations were significantly correlated with temperature, salinity, SPM and DO. The Hg concentrations were significantly correlated with salinity. We performed hierarchical cluster and principal component analyses to investigate the possible sources of heavy metals. Agricultural, industrial and atmospheric deposition resources were found to be possible sources of dissolved heavy metals in the studied area. Longshore currents, upwelling and the physicochemical parameters were possible influence factors of dissolved heavy metals spatial and seasonal distribution. •Spatial-seasonal variations of heavy metals in the Yellow River Estuary were studied.•The obtained degree of contamination showed that the Yellow River Estuary was highly polluted.•Multiple pollution sources were found.•Longshore currents, upwelling and the physicochemical parameters were possible influence factors of dissolved heavy metals spatial and seasonal distribution.