[Heavy metals pollution and its stability assessment of sediments in flowing rivers around lake Taihu].

16 main inflow and outflow rivers around Lake Taihu were chosen as the research object, and the concentrations and distribution of four heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cu and Zn) in the surface sediments of these river estuaries were detected. The pollution extent and stability were analyzed by using three-step sequential extraction method (BCR method). Aim of this study is to control heavy metal pollution of Lake Taihu and provide the basic information. Based on the results, the monitored river estuaries all had been contaminated by different degrees, and four heavy metals' concentrations all exceeded the threshold effect level (TEL) at most sampling sites. A distinct spatial heterogeneity was found in extracted fractions of these heavy metals distribution: northern rivers > southern rivers, inflow rivers > outflow rivers. The Stability Assessment Code (SAC) for different metals varied in the descending order of Cd, Zn, Pb and Cu. Compared with Pb and Cu, Cd and Zn had a higher second release potential and ecological risk.