The study looked at heavy metal pollution in river sediments in Lake Taihu Basin. They analyzed eight heavy metals and found that most were higher than normal levels. Lead, nickel, zinc, and copper were moderately polluted, while cadmium, chromium, and arsenic were less polluted. Cadmium and mercury posed moderate ecological risks. The sources of these metals varied, with lead coming from non-point pollution, copper and arsenic from pesticides and industrial wastewater, and mercury from fossil fuel combustion.