Geochemical evaluation and environmental risk assessment of heavy metals: A case study from Ireland using Tellus stream sediment data (2011–2017)

A comprehensive assessment of the distribution, spatial mapping and ecological risk of heavy metals in stream sediments of 17 counties of Ireland based on the Tellus geochemical survey programme in Ireland was carried out. Average trace metal concentrations of chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), vanadium (V), cobalt (Co), arsenic (As), and major and minor oxides iron oxide (Fe2O3), manganese oxide (MnO) in the stream sediments were above the background values, but lower than Irish sediment quality guidelines for livestock and Canadian sediment quality guidelines (ISQG); threshold effect level (TEL) and probable effect level (PEL). 69.65% of Ni, 22.13% of Zn, and 96.7% of Pb samples exceeded the low-effect-range (ERL) values, whereas only 21%, 1.80% and 0.69% of the same elements exceeded the median effect range (ERM) values. Hotspots of Zn (>12000 mg kg−1), Pb (>10,000 mg kg−1), Fe2O3 (61.38%), MnO (26%), Cr (>2300 mg kg−1) and Ni (874.2 mg kg−1) were observed at Wicklow, Dublin, Mayo, Galway and Cavan counties. Catchment geochemistry was identified for the presence of heavy metals in the stream sediments. The geo-accumulation index (Igeo) indicated Kildare to be the least contaminated county with Igeo < 0 for Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb and As for 50% of the samples. The enrichment factor (EF) indicated that some sites located in Mayo and Donegal were highly contaminated. P Inemerow followed the trend, Tipperary > Dublin > Waterford > Monaghan > Donegal > Wexford > Galway > Wicklow > Cavan > Meath > Kilkenny > Leitrim > Mayo > Louth > Sligo > Kildare > Carlow. Based on potential ecological risk index (PERI), 83.1% of the sites posed low ecological risk (PERI <150), 11.9% sites posed moderate risk (150 < RI < 300) and high ecological risk was posed by 0.3% (PERI >1200) of the sites. Lithology, topography and anthropogenic factors influenced the distribution and ecological risks of heavy metals. Non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risk for adults and children were above the recommended value.