Assessment ecological risk of heavy metal caused by high-intensity land reclamation in Bohai Bay, China

Abstract

The article examines the detailed spatial and temporal distributions of coastal reclamation in the northwest coast of Bohai Bay experiencing rapid coastal reclamation in China from 1974 to 2010 in annual intervals. Moreover, soil elements properties and spatial distribution in reclaimed area and inform the future coastal ecosystems management was also analyzed. The results shows that 910.7 km2 of coastal wetlands have been reclaimed and conversed to industrial land during the past 36 years. It covers intertidal beach, shallow sea and island with a percentage of 76.0%, 23.5% and 0.5%, respectively. The average concentration of Mn is 686.91mg/kg and the order of concentration of heavy metal are Cr>Zn>As>Ni>-Cu>Pb>Cd>Hg. We used the "space for time substitution" method to test the soil properties changes after reclamation. The potential ecological risk of heavy metal is in low level and the risk of Cd and As is relatively higher. The ecosystem-based coastal protection and management are urgent to support sustainable coastal ecosystems in Bohai bay in the future.