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Article

Island-Chain Monitoring of Heavy Metals in Sediments of the East China Sea: Distribution Characteristics, Ecological Risk Assessment and Source Apportionment

by
Ziming Wang
1,2,
Jialiang Yang
3,*,
Pengcheng Yao
1,2,
Wei Wang
1,2,4,*,
Xiaoli Yang
3 and
Yongshu Zhu
1
1
Zhejiang Institute of Hydraulics and Estuary (Zhejiang Institute of Marine Planning and Design), Hangzhou 310020, China
2
Zhejiang Key Laboratory of River-Lake Water Network Health Restoration, Hangzhou 310000, China
3
College of Water Conservancy and Hydropower Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing 210024, China
4
Key Laboratory of Marine Ecosystem Dynamics, Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou 310012, China
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2026, 14(3), 256; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse14030256
Submission received: 30 December 2025 / Revised: 21 January 2026 / Accepted: 23 January 2026 / Published: 26 January 2026
(This article belongs to the Section Marine Pollution)
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Abstract

In November 2023, surface sediments were collected at 46 sites around the main islands of the Zhoushan Archipelago (Dinghai, Daishan, Qushan, and Shengsi) in the East China Sea. The concentrations of Cu, Zn, Cr, Pb, Cd, Hg, and As were determined, together with sediment TOC and Eh. Pollution and ecological risks were evaluated using the single-factor index (Pi), Nemerow pollution index (PN), and Hakanson’s potential ecological risk index (RI). Source apportionment was investigated using FA–PC and EPA PMF 5.0. Mean concentrations (mg/kg) were Zn 77.58, Cr 70.08, Cu 28.44, Pb 18.92, As 9.40, Cd 0.09, and Hg 0.073, with higher levels generally observed near Dinghai, Daishan, and Shengsi. The overall risk was low, whereas Cd and Hg contributed disproportionately to RI. FA–PC suggested two major source groups, and PMF resolved three factors related to (i) agriculture/aquaculture (As), (ii) industrial and domestic effluents (Hg), and (iii) port and ship-related activities (Cd, Cu, Cr, Pb, Zn). The results support targeted management focusing on Cd, Hg, Cu, and As in identified hotspots.
Keywords: East China Sea; island chain monitoring; heavy metals; spatial distribution; ecological risks; PMF source apportionment East China Sea; island chain monitoring; heavy metals; spatial distribution; ecological risks; PMF source apportionment

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MDPI and ACS Style

Wang, Z.; Yang, J.; Yao, P.; Wang, W.; Yang, X.; Zhu, Y. Island-Chain Monitoring of Heavy Metals in Sediments of the East China Sea: Distribution Characteristics, Ecological Risk Assessment and Source Apportionment. J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2026, 14, 256. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse14030256

AMA Style

Wang Z, Yang J, Yao P, Wang W, Yang X, Zhu Y. Island-Chain Monitoring of Heavy Metals in Sediments of the East China Sea: Distribution Characteristics, Ecological Risk Assessment and Source Apportionment. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering. 2026; 14(3):256. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse14030256

Chicago/Turabian Style

Wang, Ziming, Jialiang Yang, Pengcheng Yao, Wei Wang, Xiaoli Yang, and Yongshu Zhu. 2026. "Island-Chain Monitoring of Heavy Metals in Sediments of the East China Sea: Distribution Characteristics, Ecological Risk Assessment and Source Apportionment" Journal of Marine Science and Engineering 14, no. 3: 256. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse14030256

APA Style

Wang, Z., Yang, J., Yao, P., Wang, W., Yang, X., & Zhu, Y. (2026). Island-Chain Monitoring of Heavy Metals in Sediments of the East China Sea: Distribution Characteristics, Ecological Risk Assessment and Source Apportionment. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 14(3), 256. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse14030256

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