Temporal variation, sources, fluxes, and risk assessment of heavy metals and arsenic in rainwater from Zhanjiang Bay, Northern South China Sea: Impact of typhoons Lion and Kompasu.

This study investigates the impact of typhoon-induced rainfall on coastal pollution dynamics in Zhanjiang Bay during the 2021 wet season, focusing on typhoons Lion and Kompasu. Typhoon-induced rainfall (217 mm) contributed 23 % of the total wet season precipitation. Concentrations of Cu, Zn, Cd, and As in rainwater during typhoons were significantly diluted, showing decreases of 48 %, 48 %, 54 %, and 42 %, respectively. In contrast, Pb concentrations remained consistent (29.5 vs. 29.3 μg L-1), indicating that increased local emissions offset the dilution effect. The deposition fluxes of these elements during typhoons accounted for 12-21 % of total wet season deposits. A positive matrix factorization model identified six primary sources, highlighting a rise in coal combustion contributions during typhoons. Overall, while typhoons reduced risks for Cu, Cd, and As, risks for Zn and Pb increased upon deposition on Zhanjiang Bay, illustrating the complex impact of typhoon-induced rainfall on coastal pollution dynamics.