The Geochemical and Environmental Characteristics of Trace Metals in Coastal Sediment Discharge off the Mailiao Industrial Zone of Central Western Taiwan

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Dear Authors,

 The manuscript is devoted to the topical problem of geochemical and environmental monitoring of trace metals in coastal sediments of the Mailiao Industrial Zone (central western Taiwan). The manuscript is well presented and structured.

 I would like to make the following remarks:

1. It is not indicated whether similar studies have been carried out in the area before. If so, what are the trends in geochemical characteristics?

2. In conclusion, it would be useful to briefly discuss, to the extent possible, natural (discharges of the Choshui River and the New Huwei River) or anthropogenic (Mailiao Industrial Zone plants) factors predominantly determine the geochemical and environmental characteristics of trace elements.

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

Reviewer 1: comments

 

Dear Authors, The manuscript is devoted to the topical problem of geochemical and environmental monitoring of trace metals in coastal sediments of the Mailiao Industrial Zone (central western Taiwan). The manuscript is well presented and structured. I would like to make the following remarks: 1. It is not indicated whether similar studies have been carried out in the area before. If so, what are the trends in geochemical characteristics? 2. In conclusion, it would be useful to briefly discuss, to the extent possible, natural (discharges of the Choshui River and the New Huwei River) or anthropogenic (Mailiao Industrial Zone plants) factors predominantly determine the geochemical and environmental characteristics of trace elements.

 

Reply:

1. There is no similar study in the Mailiao coastal sediments. This work is the pioneering study employed the sequential extraction method to study the fractionation of trace metals in Mailiao coastal sediments.
2. The historical concentrations of trace metals in sediments of the Choshui River and the New Huwei River investigated by the EPA, Taiwan, have been added in figures 1(d) and 1(e) to address the potential riverine transportation of trace metals from these two rivers to the study area. These interpretations are also appeared in pages 5-6 and page 26 in the conclusion section.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

The Abstract is largely unclear and badly written. The data may also be ok, but I feel the Authors should put much more effort in data interpretation and discussion. The hypotheses are not clear and the introduction is very confusive. The conclusions seem not supported by the data and the final conclusion section seems to partially contradict the conclusions in the abstract (the conclusions about Pb are the most unclear). The English is very bad and I strongly recommend to ask for help by a native English scientist in the field of environmental chemistry and ecotoxycology.

Author Response

Reviewer 2 comcments:

 

The Abstract is largely unclear and badly written. The data may also be ok, but I feel the Authors should put much more effort in data interpretation and discussion. The hypotheses are not clear and the introduction is very confusive. The conclusions seem not supported by the data and the final conclusion section seems to partially contradict the conclusions in the abstract (the conclusions about Pb are the most unclear). The English is very bad and I strongly recommend to ask for help by a native English scientist in the field of environmental chemistry and ecotoxycology.

 

 

 

Reply:

1. The abstract has been re-written to illustrate the works have been done in the present study. The analyzed data do support the conclusion and the interpretations between the abstract and the conclusion are consistent.
2. The English of the manuscript has been edited.

Reviewer 3 Report

The manuscript presents results related to the sediment trace metal concentration discharged from the Mailiao Industrial Zone. The manuscript is related to the Water Journal's scope and audience. The manuscript is well-written and structured, and the data has been analyzed and discussed adequately. However, there are a few issues that need to be addressed. The grammar and style of the manuscript need to be improved. Additionally, all the acronyms need to be defined when mentioned for the first time, and the abstract, figures, and tables are standalone parts of the manuscript.

Specific comments:

●       The title is not clear; maybe adding "sediment discharge". The geochemical and trace metals give similar concepts.

●       ERL in the abstract needs to be defined.

●       Figure 2, the area of the MIZ are need to be marked. Additionally, Outlining the expected flow directions and contribution area will be helpful in understanding the pollutants' flow path.

 

●       The conclusions need to be improved.

 

Author Response

Reviewer 3

The manuscript presents results related to the sediment trace metal concentration discharged from the Mailiao Industrial Zone. The manuscript is related to the Water Journal's scope and audience. The manuscript is well-written and structured, and the data has been analyzed and discussed adequately. However, there are a few issues that need to be addressed. The grammar and style of the manuscript need to be improved. Additionally, all the acronyms need to be defined when mentioned for the first time, and the abstract, figures, and tables are standalone parts of the manuscript.

Specific comments:

• The title is not clear; maybe adding "sediment discharge". The geochemical and trace metals give similar concepts.
• ERL in the abstract needs to be defined.
• Figure 2, the area of the MIZ are need to be marked. Additionally, Outlining the expected flow directions and contribution area will be helpful in understanding the pollutants' flow path.

 

Reply:

1. The title has been changed to ”The geochemical and environmental characteristics of trace metals in coastal sediment discharge off the Mailiao Industrial Zone of the central western Taiwan”.
2. The English of the manuscript will be edited by the MPDI.
3. The marked MIZ area and the current directions during the flood and ebb periods of the Mailiao coast are added in figure 2.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

The Authors have performed sufficient revision.