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2026 Vol.31, Issue 4 Preview Page

Research Paper

Integrated Assessment of Heavy Metal Contamination Types in River and Lake Sediments Using Principal Component Analysis and Ecological Risk Index

주성분분석과 생태위험지수를 이용한 하천 ∙ 호소 퇴적물 중금속 오염유형의 복합평가

Chanyoung Jeong1
,
In-Sil Kwak2
,
Jong-Hyeon Lee3
,
Dongsoo Kong1*
정 찬영1
,
곽 인실2
,
이 종현3
,
공 동수1*
1Department of Life Science, Kyonggi University, Suwon 16227, Republic of Korea
2Department of Ocean Integrated Science, Chonnam National University, Yeosu 59626, Republic of Korea
3EH R&C Co. Ltd. Bucheon 14487, Republic of Korea
1경기대학교 생명과학과
2전남대학교 해양융합과학과
3이에이치알앤씨㈜
*Corresponding Author
31 August 2026. pp. 26-36
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Abstract

This study proposed a PCA-ERI dual assessment framework for comparing multimetal accumulation and potential ecological risk in freshwater sediments. Metal concentrations from four surveys were averaged at each of 80 sites across major river systems of South Korea, and site-mean data for eight metals were analyzed. PCA was applied to log-transformed and standardized concentrations, with PC1 representing a multimetal accumulation gradient. The Hakanson ecological risk index was calculated separately and converted to a percentile-based RI score. PC1 and RI scores were strongly correlated, although discordant sites were identified. Using the 75th percentiles of both scores, sites were classified as Low accumulation-risk, Accumulation-dominant, RI-dominant, or Complex contamination-risk. Urban and industrial streams had higher proportions of Complex contamination-risk sites, whereas general streams and lakes were dominated by Low accumulation-risk sites. RI-dominant sites showed relatively elevated As, Cd, and Hg, while Complex contamination-risk sites exhibited broad multimetal enrichment. The framework supports screening and prioritization of sediment contamination.

Keywords
Ecological risk index
Heavy metals
Principal component analysis
Sediment
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Information
  • Publisher :The Korean Society of Soil and Groundwater Environment
  • Publisher(Ko) :한국지하수토양환경학회
  • Journal Title :Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
  • Journal Title(Ko) :지하수토양환경
  • Volume : 31
  • No :4
  • Pages :26-36
  • Received Date : 2026-07-03
  • Revised Date : 2026-07-14
  • Accepted Date : 2026-07-23
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.7857/JSGE.2026.31.4.026
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