Comprehensive assessment of heavy metal pollution and ecological risk in lake sediment by combining total concentration and chemical partitioning

Abstract Total concentration and chemical partitioning of heavy metals are commonly used in environmental quality assessment; however, their comparability and comprehensive application are far less discussed. Herein, bioavailability, pollution and eco-risk of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn in surface sediments of Erhai Lake were evaluated referring to multiple indices following the experimental methods of complete digestion, optimized Community Bureau of Reference (BCR) and 1.0 M HCl extractions. Results of bioavailability for most metals were similar and comparable from BCR and HCl extractions. While bioavailable concentrations of Cd and Pb from HCl extraction were significantly (p