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Purpose <p>This study investigated trace metal(loid) contamination in sediments near a coal power plant in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam, using multiple environmental assessment approaches to evaluate contamination levels, ecological risk, and bioavailability between seasons.</p> Materials and methods <p>Sediment samples were collected during both dry and rainy seasons and analyzed for trace metal(loid)s. Contamination was assessed using Enrichment Factor (EF) calculations referenced against both Upper Continental Crust (UCC) and pre-industrial local baseline values. Two single-extraction tests – acetic acid and ammonium-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) – were conducted to evaluate acidification mobility and metal bioavailability. Ecological risk was further assessed using Potential Ecological Risk (PER) indices, Risk Assessment Code (RAC), and Bioavailability Risk Assessment Index (BRAI).</p> Results and discussion <p>As, Cu, and Pb exceeded Threshold Effect Levels (TEL), while Ni consistently exceeded Probable Effect Levels (PEL), with concentrations elevated during wet season. EF calculations yielded contrasting results depending on the reference material used: UCC-based normalization indicated severe contamination (EF = 7–92, highest for As), whereas pre-industrial local baseline normalization suggested negligible recent anthropogenic contribution (EF = 0.9–2.3). Potential Ecological Risk values ranged from 123 to 188 (average 150–170), reflecting moderate ecological risk across both marine and riverine sediments, with higher values observed in the dry season. Bioavailability assessment indicated limited risk overall (BRAI = 1.03; RAC &lt; 1% for most trace metal(loids)), with the exception of Ni at 7%, suggesting that most trace metal(loid)s remain bound in stable mineral phases with restricted mobility and biological uptake.</p> Conclusion <p>These findings suggest minimal recent industrial accumulation of trace metal(loid)s in the study area. However, the exceedance of effect-based sediment quality guidelines for several trace metal(loid)s – particularly Ni – and the influence of seasonal dynamics highlight the need for continued long-term monitoring, especially given potentially changing environmental conditions associated with ongoing industrial activity in the region.</p>

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Seasonal variability and environmental risk assessment of trace metal(loid)s in sediments around a thermal coal power plant in Tra Vinh, Mekong delta, Vietnam

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月28日

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  • Tran Thi Thu Dung,
  • Nguyen Hoang Nam,
  • Le Truong An,
  • Ly Sy Phu Nguyen,
  • Nguyen Ngoc Trinh,
  • Tran Bich Chau,
  • Truong Minh Hoang

摘要

Purpose

This study investigated trace metal(loid) contamination in sediments near a coal power plant in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam, using multiple environmental assessment approaches to evaluate contamination levels, ecological risk, and bioavailability between seasons.

Materials and methods

Sediment samples were collected during both dry and rainy seasons and analyzed for trace metal(loid)s. Contamination was assessed using Enrichment Factor (EF) calculations referenced against both Upper Continental Crust (UCC) and pre-industrial local baseline values. Two single-extraction tests – acetic acid and ammonium-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) – were conducted to evaluate acidification mobility and metal bioavailability. Ecological risk was further assessed using Potential Ecological Risk (PER) indices, Risk Assessment Code (RAC), and Bioavailability Risk Assessment Index (BRAI).

Results and discussion

As, Cu, and Pb exceeded Threshold Effect Levels (TEL), while Ni consistently exceeded Probable Effect Levels (PEL), with concentrations elevated during wet season. EF calculations yielded contrasting results depending on the reference material used: UCC-based normalization indicated severe contamination (EF = 7–92, highest for As), whereas pre-industrial local baseline normalization suggested negligible recent anthropogenic contribution (EF = 0.9–2.3). Potential Ecological Risk values ranged from 123 to 188 (average 150–170), reflecting moderate ecological risk across both marine and riverine sediments, with higher values observed in the dry season. Bioavailability assessment indicated limited risk overall (BRAI = 1.03; RAC < 1% for most trace metal(loids)), with the exception of Ni at 7%, suggesting that most trace metal(loid)s remain bound in stable mineral phases with restricted mobility and biological uptake.

Conclusion

These findings suggest minimal recent industrial accumulation of trace metal(loid)s in the study area. However, the exceedance of effect-based sediment quality guidelines for several trace metal(loid)s – particularly Ni – and the influence of seasonal dynamics highlight the need for continued long-term monitoring, especially given potentially changing environmental conditions associated with ongoing industrial activity in the region.