Particle dynamics of 7Be, 210Pb and the implications of sedimentation of heavy metals in the Wenjiao/Wenchang and Wanquan River estuaries, Hainan, China

Radionuclides (i.e., 7Be and 210Pb) can be used to trace particle and sediment dynamics and to quantify coastal oceanic processes with time scales ranging from a few days to a hundred years. Here, we study the settling dynamics of suspended particles and the implication by sedimentary heavy metals in the Wenjiao/Wenchang River and Wanquan River estuaries through the measurement of the particulate 7Be and 210Pb nuclides. Activity in the particulate phase had a range of 2.1–54.5 and 4.6–67.9 Bq kg−1 for 7Be and excess 210Pb (210Pbxs), respectively, in the Wenjiao/Wenchang River estuary. In the Wanquan River estuary, activity is in the range of 1.2–43.5 Bq kg−1 for 7Be and 6.2–194.5 Bq kg−1 for 210Pbxs. At the same time, activity in the dissolved phase had a range of 0.46–1.26 and 0.30–1.17 Bq m−3 for 7Be and 210Pb, respectively, in the Wenjiao/Wenchang River estuary; ranges of 0.10–2.31 and 0.09–1.87 Bq m−3 for 7Be and 210Pb, respectively, were observed in the Wanquan River estuary. The distribution coefficients (Kd) for the two nuclides decreased within increased in suspended particle matters (SPM) concentration and/or salinity in Wanquan River estuary. The residence times of particulate 7Be and 210Pbxs had ranges of 0.4–1.6 and 1.65–5.15 days, respectively, in the Wenjiao/Wenchang River estuary; and ranges of 0.02–3.2 and 0.61–4.44 days, respectively in the Wanquan River estuary. All residence times for the two nuclides increased in the seaward direction. In the Wenjiao/Wenchang River estuary, we found that 11.8–21.0% of Cu, 3.0–9.0% of Zn and 43.2–69.9% for Cd is removed from the water column and deposited into the estuary, and 24.2–34.8% for Cu, 7.2–23.8% for Zn, and 70.0–82.5% for Cd in the Wanquan River estuary, respectively.

► We study the distribution and transport of radionuclides and the removal of heavy metals.
► The distribution coefficients (Kd) decreased with SPM concentration.
► Residence times increased in the seaward direction.
► Cd was deposited in the estuary and Cu and Zn were transport to the coast.
► The approach can be used to evaluate the removal of particle-reactive contaminants.