Total concentrations and sources of heavy metal pollution in global river and lake water bodies from 1972 to 2017
Hunan Agricultural University · Guangdong Urban & Rural Planning and Design Institute · +1 more institution
Abstract
This study collected past sampling data on total concentrations of 12 heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Cr, Hg, Zn, Cu, Ni, Al, Fe, Mn, As, and Co) in surface water bodies, i.e., 168 rivers and 71 lakes, from 1972 to 2017. The intent was to investigate the levels and sources of heavy metal pollution across five decades and five continents. Mean heavy metal concentrations in global river and lake water, and the number of heavy metals with concentrations greater than the published threshold limits as per the standards of both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) were generally lower in the 1970s and 1980s than in the 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s. Over time, heavy metal…
Citation impact
- FWCI
- 20.52
- Percentile
- 100%
- References
- 158
Authors
7Topics & keywords
- Pollution
- Weathering
- Environmental science
- Surface water
- Environmental protection
- Water pollution
- Heavy metals
- Water quality