Primary Assessment on the Geochemical Characteristics of Wuliangsuhai Lake in Inner Mongolia

Through the elemental analysis in sediments from the surface and deep layers of Wuliangsuhai Lake, the better understanding for sediment characteristics of the Wuliangsuhai Lake is gained. The element distribution in sediments from the deep layer of the Lake is basically identical with that from the deep soils in Hetao area and the distinct characteristics of element distribution in the surface sediments of the Lake are observed. It is discovered that elements of Cl, Cd, S, F, Sb, C, Bi, As, Li, MgO, CaO, Cu, Ni, Sn, W, Zn, Co, Mo, Au, Sc, Tl, Hg, I, Mn, U, Ce, La, Be, Se, Th, etc. are enriched in surface layer of the sediments. Compared with deep layer of the sediments， S, orgC, N, Se, I, Br, Sr, C, U, Mo, Cl, CaO, Hg and P are in abundant in surface layer of the sediments. It is explained that clay in surface layer of the sediments has strong trend to adsorb these elements and the enrichment of some elements has correlation with human activities. The value of the pH in the surface layer of the sediments is lower than that in deep layer and in soils in Hetao area, which is assumed to originate from industrial discharge. The vertical section chart also indicates that the human activities have serious influence on environment of Wuliangsuhai Lake. The eutrophication and pollution from Hg and F have appeared and serious attention should be paid to the environment pollution in this area.