In this study, the sediment of the Dianshan Lake, one of the major freshwater sources for Shanghai, was analyzed at varying depths to determine its historical environmental toxicity profile. Six heavy metal elements (Cd, Cr, Pb, Zn, Hg, and As) were analyzed, using a three step Sequential Extraction Procedure to determine the speciation of each metal, which gives a more accurate profile on their mobility and bioavailability(toxicity). The order of mobility was found to be Cd > Pb > Zn > Cr > Hg > As. Levels of mobile species of Cr, Zn, Hg, and As were found to increase in the past decade, while Cd and Pb have remained constant. Peaks in mobile or total species concentration for Cr, Pb, and As are observable at 9-13 cm depth, corresponding to China's rapid industrialization in the 1980's.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Sciore, Aaron B.

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042910-135951

Advisor

• MacDonald, John C.
• DiBiasio, David

Year

• 2010

Center

• Shanghai, China Project Center - MQP

Sponsor

• Shanghai Jiao Tong University

Date created

• 2010-04-29

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Chemistry

Rights statement

• In Copyright