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<p>Heavy metal pollution in protected areas raises concern on surrounding ecosystem, and potential risks to human settlements and biodiversity around these sites. We conducted an analysis of heavy metals such as iron (Fe), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), and cadmium (Cd) across 20 soil sampling locations in the catchment around Rara Lake. The results showed that the order of the mean concentrations of heavy metal was Fe &gt; Mn &gt; Cr &gt; Ni &gt; Co &gt; Cu &gt; Pb &gt; Cd. Pollution assessment employed various indices, such as the enrichment factor (EF), index of geoaccumulation (I<sub>geo</sub>) and risk indices for individual metals and the environment (<InlineEquation ID="IEq1"> <EquationSource Format="TEX">\(E_{r}\)</EquationSource> </InlineEquation> &amp; RI). Among the heavy metals, Mn had the highest enrichment, while the I<sub>geo</sub> results indicated exceptionally high average levels of Mn and Fe. For other heavy metals, the study indicated light to moderate pollution for Co, Cd, Cr and Cu. The ecological risk index (RI) associated with individual metals surpassed the combined risk posed by multiple heavy metals, indicating heightened signatures of heavy metal contamination attributed to anthropogenic influences within the lake catchment (Er &gt; 30). Correlation and principal component analyses revealed shared geological origins for Mn, Cu, Cd, and Ni, while Pb and Cr originated from anthropogenic sources. These influences included extensive littering resulting from cattle and horse activities, solid waste pollution, and inadequate drainage infrastructure. Notably, the direct discharge of wastewater into wetland soil emerges as a significant contributor to the observed ecological risks.</p>

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Assessment of heavy metal contamination and source identification in wetland soils of Rara National Park, central Himalayas

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年12月29日

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  • Binija Kaphle,
  • Junbo Wang,
  • Jianting Ju,
  • Xinmiao Lü,
  • Jinlei Kai,
  • Binish Raj Khanal,
  • Subash Adhikari,
  • Sima Humagain,
  • Gaurav Srivastava,
  • Khum Narayan Paudayal

摘要

Heavy metal pollution in protected areas raises concern on surrounding ecosystem, and potential risks to human settlements and biodiversity around these sites. We conducted an analysis of heavy metals such as iron (Fe), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), and cadmium (Cd) across 20 soil sampling locations in the catchment around Rara Lake. The results showed that the order of the mean concentrations of heavy metal was Fe > Mn > Cr > Ni > Co > Cu > Pb > Cd. Pollution assessment employed various indices, such as the enrichment factor (EF), index of geoaccumulation (Igeo) and risk indices for individual metals and the environment ( \(E_{r}\) & RI). Among the heavy metals, Mn had the highest enrichment, while the Igeo results indicated exceptionally high average levels of Mn and Fe. For other heavy metals, the study indicated light to moderate pollution for Co, Cd, Cr and Cu. The ecological risk index (RI) associated with individual metals surpassed the combined risk posed by multiple heavy metals, indicating heightened signatures of heavy metal contamination attributed to anthropogenic influences within the lake catchment (Er > 30). Correlation and principal component analyses revealed shared geological origins for Mn, Cu, Cd, and Ni, while Pb and Cr originated from anthropogenic sources. These influences included extensive littering resulting from cattle and horse activities, solid waste pollution, and inadequate drainage infrastructure. Notably, the direct discharge of wastewater into wetland soil emerges as a significant contributor to the observed ecological risks.