In this study, 24 surface water samples were collected from the main trunk/tributary of the Lijiang River during the wet season (April) and the dry season (December) in 2021. The total concentration of 11 heavy metal(loid)s (Al, Cu, Pb, Zn, Cr, Ni, Co, Cd, Mn, As, and Hg) was determined to investigate their physicochemical properties and spatial-temporal distribution characteristics. The heavy metal evaluation index (HEI) and the positive matrix factorization (PMF) model were employed to evaluate water quality and to reveal quantitatively identified pollution sources for further investigation to obtain a health risk assessment using the hazard index (HI) and carcinogenic risk (CR) of various pollution sources. The mean concentrations of heavy metal(loid)s in surface water in the wet and dry seasons were ranked as: Al > Mn > Zn > Ni > Cd > Cr > Cu > As >Hg = Pb > Co, with the mean concentration of Hg being higher than the national Class II surface water environmental quality standard (GB3838-2002). In terms of time scale, the concentration of most heavy metal(loid)s was higher in the wet season; most heavy metal(loid)s were distributed mainly in the midstream area. HEI index indicated that the main water quality status was “slightly affected” in the study area. Five potential sources of pollution were obtained from the PMF model, including industrial activities, traffic sources, agricultural activities, domestic waste emissions, and natural resources. The source-oriented risk assessment indicated that the largest contributions of HI and CR were agricultural sources in the Lijiang River. This study provides a “target” for the precise control of pollution sources, which has a broad impact on improving the fine management of the water environment in the basin.

Three high-frequency sampling and monitoring experiments were performed at the Lutang and Luowei transects of the Liujiang River entrance and at the southeast exit of the Liuzhou during 2019 for the purpose of assessing physico-chemical variables and human health hazards of water heavy metals in different rainfall processes. There were significant seasonal variations in concentrations of 11 heavy metals and most variables showed higher levels during the dry season. The distribution of heavy metals in the Liuzhou area varied significantly by region. Pollution source analysis indicated distinct seasons of wetness and dryness. The dry season is dominated by anthropogenic activities, while the wet season is dominated by natural processes. The results of hazard quotient (HQ) and carcinogenic risk (CR) analysis showed that the health risk of non-carcinogenic heavy metals in the wet season is slightly higher than that in the dry season. Seasonal changes in carcinogenic risk are the opposite; this is due to the combined influence of natural and human activities on the concentration of heavy metals in the river. Among them, Al was the most important pollutant causing non-carcinogenic, with As being a significant contributor to carcinogenic health risk. Spatially, the downstream Luowei transect has a high health risk in both the dry and rainy seasons, probably due to the fact that the Luowei transect is located within a major industrial area in the study area. There are some input points for industrial effluent discharge in the area. Therefore, high-frequency monitoring is essential to analyze and reduce the heavy metal concentrations in the Liujiang River during dry and wet seasons in order to protect the health of the residents in the area.