Influence of land use class and configuration on water-sediment partitioning of heavy metals

Influence of land use and population characteristics on solid-liquid partitioning of heavy metals in aquatic ecosystems is little understood. This study hypothesised that the partitioning of heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) between water and sediments is influenced by different land use classes, their configuration patterns including patch density, Shannon's diversity index, largest patch index, and splitting index and population density. Relationships between variables were investigated from different distances to the stream network (sub-catchment and riparian scales) and considering land use patterns within individual land use classes and individual sub-catchments as a whole (class and landscape levels, respectively). The study outcomes confirmed that the influence of land use and configuration on metals partitioning is scale independent. However, population density increases metal bioavailability at the riparian scale compared to the sub-catchment scale. Agricultural lands discharge the highest fractions of dissolved metals at both spatial scales (eigenvectors = 0.409 – sub-catchment, and −0.533 – riparian, whilst metals have opposite loadings). Positive relationships between splitting index and metal partitioning confirmed that the division of anthropogenic land uses into smaller patches reduces water pollution. However, high fragmentation of forested areas increases the fraction of soluble metals. Further, high patch density and patch diversity are beneficial for controlling the solubility of some metals. Configuration metrics at the landscape level fundamentally reproduce the patterns of the largest land use type and are not effective for assessing metal partitioning. Therefore, analyses at the class level are preferred. This research investigation contributes essential knowledge to improve land use management strategies and, thereby, help safeguard urban waterways.