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<p>Rare earth elements (REEs) are emerging environmental contaminants due to industrial intensification, yet their behavior in urban rivers remains poorly characterized. This study investigates the “source–sink–risk” dynamics of REEs in the Funan River and its tributaries in Chengdu, China, a representative rapidly urbanizing megacity. Surface sediments and fish were collected to determine REE concentrations via ICP-MS. Source apportionment was performed using integrated receptor modeling (PCA and PMF). Ecological risks were characterized using the Potential Ecological Risk Index (PERI) and Risk Assessment Code (RAC), while bioavailability was evaluated through bioaccumulation analysis in benthic and pelagic fish. Significant spatial heterogeneity was observed, with REE concentrations in tributaries (155–170&#xa0;µg g⁻¹) exceeding those in the mainstream (135&#xa0;µg g⁻¹). Source apportionment revealed that while natural weathering is the primary driver (76.4%), localized anthropogenic activities triggered distinct heavy REE (HREE) anomalies in tributaries. Although cumulative ecological risk was low (ΣRI &lt; 110), specific elements (Gd, Dy, Lu, Tb) in tributary sediments exhibited moderate-to-high individual risks. Furthermore, higher REE levels in benthic fish (10.4–13.9 times those of pelagic fish) indicated restricted sediment-to-biota transfer and overall low bioavailability. These findings demonstrate that urban hydrodynamics and zoning significantly modulate the sedimentary fate of REEs. While predominantly geogenic, localized HREE anomalies necessitate targeted monitoring. This study establishes a transferable methodological paradigm for assessing emerging REE contaminants in global urban waterways.</p>

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Sediment-associated Rare Earth Elements in an Urban River: Bioavailability and Ecological Risks to Aquatic Biota

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月8日

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  • Ruijie Peng,
  • Pingping Wu,
  • Zhilin Chen,
  • Junzhuo Cai,
  • Yu Bon Man,
  • Ming Hung Wong,
  • Zhang Cheng

摘要

Rare earth elements (REEs) are emerging environmental contaminants due to industrial intensification, yet their behavior in urban rivers remains poorly characterized. This study investigates the “source–sink–risk” dynamics of REEs in the Funan River and its tributaries in Chengdu, China, a representative rapidly urbanizing megacity. Surface sediments and fish were collected to determine REE concentrations via ICP-MS. Source apportionment was performed using integrated receptor modeling (PCA and PMF). Ecological risks were characterized using the Potential Ecological Risk Index (PERI) and Risk Assessment Code (RAC), while bioavailability was evaluated through bioaccumulation analysis in benthic and pelagic fish. Significant spatial heterogeneity was observed, with REE concentrations in tributaries (155–170 µg g⁻¹) exceeding those in the mainstream (135 µg g⁻¹). Source apportionment revealed that while natural weathering is the primary driver (76.4%), localized anthropogenic activities triggered distinct heavy REE (HREE) anomalies in tributaries. Although cumulative ecological risk was low (ΣRI < 110), specific elements (Gd, Dy, Lu, Tb) in tributary sediments exhibited moderate-to-high individual risks. Furthermore, higher REE levels in benthic fish (10.4–13.9 times those of pelagic fish) indicated restricted sediment-to-biota transfer and overall low bioavailability. These findings demonstrate that urban hydrodynamics and zoning significantly modulate the sedimentary fate of REEs. While predominantly geogenic, localized HREE anomalies necessitate targeted monitoring. This study establishes a transferable methodological paradigm for assessing emerging REE contaminants in global urban waterways.