Contents and chemical forms of heavy metals in school and roadside topsoils and road-surface dust of Beijing

Purpose

The concentration of human activities in urban systems generally leads to urban environmental contamination. Beijing is one of ancient and biggest cities on the world. However, information is limited on Beijing’s soil contamination, especially for roadside and campus soils. Thus, the aims of this study were to investigate the contents and chemical forms of toxic heavy metals Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn in the road-surface dust, roadside soils, and school campus soils of Beijing. In addition, enrichment and spatial variation of these toxic heavy metals in the soils and dust were assessed.

Materials and methods

Topsoil samples were collected from the schools and roadside adjacent to main ring roads, and dust samples were collected from the surface of the main ring roads of Beijing. These samples were analyzed for total contents and chemical forms of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Sc, Zn, Al, and Fe. Enrichment factors (EFs, relative to the background content) were calculated to evaluate the effect of human activities on the toxic heavy metals in soils.

Results and discussion

Heavy metal contents in the road dust ranged from 0.16 to 0.80, 52.2 to 180.7, 18.4 to 182.8, 11.9 to 47.4, 23.0 to 268.3, and 85.7 to 980.9 mg kg^?1 for Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn, respectively. In the roadside soil and school soil, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn contents ranged from 0.13 to 0.42, 46.1 to 82.4, 22.7 to 71.6, 20.7 to 29.2, 23.2 to 180.7, and 64.5 to 217.3 mg kg^?1, respectively. The average EF values of these metals were significantly higher in the dust than in the soils. In addition, the average EF values of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn in the soils near second ring road were significantly higher than those near third, fourth, and fifth ring roads. Anthropogenic Cd, Pb, and Zn were mainly bound to the carbonates and soil organic matter, while anthropogenic Cu was mainly bound to oxides. The mobility and bioavailability of these metals in the urban soils of Beijing generally decreased in the following order: Cd?>?Zn?>?Pb?>?Cu?>?Ni?>?Cr; while in the dust, they decreased in the following order: Zn, Cu, and Cd?>?Pb?>?Ni?>?Cr.

Conclusions

Both EF and chemical forms documented that Cr and Ni in the soils and dust mainly originated from native sources, while Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn partially originated from anthropogenic sources. In overall, Beijing’s road dust was significantly contaminated by Cd and Cu and moderately contaminated by Cr, Pb, and Zn, while Beijing’s roadside soil and school soil were moderately contaminated by Cd and Pb. However, the maximal hazard quotients (HQs) for individual Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn and comprehensive hazard index (HI) of these metals in the dust and soil were less than 1, indicating that the heavy metals in the dust and soil generally do not pose potential health effects to children, sensitive population.     

汾河流域土壤重金属垂直分布规律及地域差异

山西汾河流域按土属采土样１７４０个，测定镍、铬、铅、锌、砷、铜、汞、镉八种元素的含量。探讨了垂直分布及各地形部位贡献大小和地域差异。在中高山地、山地、低山丘陵、丘陵阶地、二级阶地和平原盆地六个地形部位中，土壤重金属元素含量均未超过土壤污染起始值。各元素不同地形部位贡献大小为：中高山地汞大、山地铜大、低山丘陵铬大，丘陵阶地铅、镍、铜大，二级阶地汞大、锌小，平原盆地镉、汞大、铜小。故二级阶地和平原盆地应施用铜、锌微肥和防止汞、镉污染。地域差异研究表明：东西两山山地土壤多数元素含量差异不显著，利用较为一致。南北两盆地污染重点在太原盆地。上述研究结果为土壤环境质量评价、土壤污染防治和预测，工矿企业合理布局，农业生产结构调整提供了科学依据。     

The transfer of heavy metals to barley plants from soils amended with sewage sludge with different heavy metal burdens

Purpose

Our main aim objective was to evaluate the transfer of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn to barley (Hordeum vulgare) grown in various soils previously amended with two sewage sludges containing different concentrations of heavy metals. This allowed us to examine the transfer of heavv metals to barley roots and shoots and the occurrence of restriction mechanisms as function of soil type and for different heavy metal concentration scenarios.

Material and methods

A greenhouse experiment was performed to evaluate the transfer of heavy metals to barley grown in 36 agricultural soils from different parts of Spain previously amended with a single dose (equivalent to 50 t dry weight ha^?1) of two sewage sludges with contrasting levels of heavy metals (common and spiked sludge: CS and SS).

Results and discussion

In soils amended with CS, heavy metals were transferred to roots in the order (mean values of the bio-concentration ratio in roots, BCF_Roots, in brackets): Cu (2.4)?~?Ni (2.3)?>?Cd (2.1)?>?Zn (1.8)?>?Cr (0.7)?~?Pb (0.6); similar values were found for the soils amended with SS. The mean values of the soil-to-shoot ratio were: Cd (0.44)?~?Zn (0.39)?~?Cu (0.39)?>?Cr (0.20)?>?Ni (0.09)?>?Pb (0.01) for CS-amended soils; Zn (0.24)?>?Cu (0.15)?~?Cd (0.14)?>?Ni (0.05)?~?Cr (0.03)?>?Pb (0.006) for SS-amended soils. Heavy metals were transferred from roots to shoots in the following order (mean values of the ratio concentration of heavy metals in shoots to roots in brackets): Cr (0.33)?>?Zn (0.24)?~?Cd (0.22)?>?Cu (0.19)?>?Ni (0.04)?>?Pb (0.02) for CS-amended soils; Zn (0.14)?>?Cd (0.09)?~?Cu (0.08)?>?Cr (0.05)?>?Ni (0.02)?~?Pb (0.010) for SS-amended soils.

Conclusions

Soils weakly restricted the mobility of heavy metals to roots, plant physiology restricted the transfer of heavy metals from roots to shoots, observing further restriction at high heavy metal loadings, and the transfer of Cd, Cu and Zn from soils to shoots was greater than for Cr, Ni and Pb. Stepwise multiple linear regressions revealed that soils with high sand content allowed greater soil-plant transfer of Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn. For Cd and Ni, soils with low pH and soil organic C, respectively, posed the highest risk.     

长江三角洲地区土壤重金属含量及其分异特征

以地学统计、浓度-面积分形方法和富集系数等方法分析了该地区土壤重金属元素含量的变化特征。结果显示:表层和深层土壤的重金属均具有多重分形特征,表层土壤中重金属元素分异性强,在该地区表层重金属含量平均值远远大于全国土壤背景值(除了As);土壤Hg、Cd、Pb含量分布显示了受人为影响强烈,而Cu、Zn主要受原始背景和人为活动综合影响;Cr、Ni、As主要受自然背景影响。研究结果为长江三角洲地区土壤质量评价提供可靠的依据。     

Identification of sources of heavy metals in agricultural soils using multivariate analysis and GIS

Purpose

Heavy metals in agricultural soils readily enter the food chain when taken up by plants, but there have been few investigations of heavy metal pressure in farming areas with low background concentrations. This study was carried out in a cultivation area of Northeast China that has undergone decades of intensive farming, with the aim of identifying the sources of accumulated heavy metals in agricultural soils using multivariate analysis and geographic information system (GIS).

Materials and methods

In 2011, concentrations of total iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr) and cobalt (Co), as well as soil pH and organic matter, were measured at 149 sites in arable soils in the study area. The principal component analysis (PCA) was employed to extract hidden subsets from the raw dataset in order to detect possible sources. Metal contents in soils from various croplands were further investigated using analysis of variance. With the Kriging interpolation method, GIS was used to display the PCA results spatially to explore the influence of land use on heavy metal accumulation.

Results and discussion

Most of the studied metals in arable soils of the study area were shown to have low concentrations, except for Cd (0.241 mg?kg^?1). According to the results of the PCA analysis, Fe, Mn, Pb, Zn, Cd, and Co formed the first component (PC1) explaining 40.1 % of the total variance. The source of these metals was attributed to farming practices (“anthropogenic” factor). Cu, Ni, and Cr fell into the second component (PC2), heavy metals that derived from parent rock materials (“lithogetic” factor). This component describes 24.6 % of the total variance. Compared to paddy lands, soils in drylands had greater accumulations of all the metals in PC1, which can be explained by a higher rate of phosphorus fertilizer application and a longer farming history.

Conclusions

Owing to the natural low backgrounds, soils in the study area were safe from heavy metal pollution with a contamination risk of Cd the only exception. Multivariate analysis and GIS were effective means in helping to identify the sources of soil metals and addressing the land use influence on soil metals accumulation. This work can support the development of strategy and policies to aid in the prevention of widespread heavy metal contamination in area with characteristics similar to those of the study area.     

Heavy metal distribution in different soil aggregate size classes from restored brackish marsh,oil exploitation zone,and tidal mud flat of the Yellow River Delta

Purpose

Heavy metal distribution in soils is affected by soil aggregate fractionation. This study aimed to demons trate the aggregate-associated heavy metal concentrations and fractionations in “sandy,” “normal,” and “mud” soils from the restored brackish tidal marsh, oil exploitation zone, and tidal mudflat of the Yellow River Delta (YRD), China.

Materials and methods

Soil samples were sieved into the aggregates of >2, 0.25–2, 0.053–0.25, and <0.053 mm to determine the concentrations of exchangeable (F1), carbonate-bound (F2), reducible (F3), organic-bound (F4), and residual fraction (F5) of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn.

Results and discussion

The 0.25–2 mm aggregates presented the highest concentrations but the lowest mass loadings (4.23–12.18 %) for most metal fractions due to low percentages of 0.25–2 mm aggregates (1.85–3.12 %) in soils. Aggregates <0.053 mm took majority mass loadings of metals in sandy and normal soils (62.04–86.95 %). Most soil aggregates had residual Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn, and reducible Cd, Pb dominated in the total Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn concentrations. Sandy soil contained relatively high F4, especially of Cu (F4) in 0.25–2 mm aggregates (10.22 mg kg^?1), which may relate to significantly high organic carbon contents (23.92 g kg^?1, P?<?0.05). Normal soil had the highest total concentrations of metals, especially of Cu, Ni, and Pb, which was attributed to the high F3 and F5 in the <0.053 mm aggregates. Although mud soil showed low total concentrations of heavy metals, the relatively high concentrations of bioavailable Cd and Cu resulted from the relatively high Cd (F2) and Cu (F2) in the >2 mm aggregates indicated contribution of carbonates to soil aggregation and metal adsorption in tidal mud flat.

Conclusions

Soil type and aggregate distribution were important factors controlling heavy metal concentration and fractionation in YRD wetland soil. Compared with mud soil, normal soil contained increased concentrations of F5 and F3 of metals in the 0.053–0.25 mm aggregate, and sandy soil contained increased concentrations of bioavailable and total Cr, Ni, and Zn with great contribution of mass loadings in the <0.053 mm aggregate. The results of this study suggested that oil exploitation and wetland restoration activities may influence the retention characteristics of heavy metals in tidal soils through variation of soil type and aggregate fractions.

     

中国原油污染区重金属空间分布模式及其潜在来源研究

Twenty-two soil samples were collected at the subregional scale （50 km2） around Gudao Town, a typical oil-producing region of the Shengli Oilfield in the Yellow River Delta, China to determine the spatial distribution patterns and potential sources of heavy metals in soils of crude oil-polluted regions. The concentrations of total petroleum hydrocaxbons （TPHs） and heavy metals as well as other soil properties were determined and the enrichment factor values were calculated for the heavy metals measured. Principal component analysis （PCA） and cluster analysis （CA） were used to estimate potential sources contributing to the concentrations of heavy metals in the soils. The results revealed that the soils were slightly alkaline （pH = 7.33-8.05） and high in salinity （1.43-41.30 g kg-1）, TPHs （0.51 28.40 g kg-1） and organic matter （1.74-31.50 g kg-1）. The mean concentrations of the measured heavy metals Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, Cr, Ni and V were 18.4, 78.2, 20.8, 0.19, 56.6, 26.3 and 62.1 mg kg-1, respectively. Although the concentrations of all the metals measured in this study were not high enough to exceed the national control standards, there was a significant enrichment of Cd in the study area and Zn and Ni were in the category of deficiency to minimal enrichment. The spatial distribution patterns of Cu, Cr, Ni and V were similar and partially affected by oil exploitation and petroleum hydrocarbon spills. Potential sources of Cr, Ni, V and Cu in the soils were both natural sources and petroleum hydrocarbon spills, while Zn, Pb and Cd were probably from anthropogenic sources such as farming activities and traffic.     

珠三角滩涂围垦农田土壤和农作物重金属污染

为了研究珠三角滩涂围垦农田土壤和农作物重金属污染状况,采集了广州南沙、中山一带围垦农田农作物及其根际土壤样品,测定重金属的质量分数。结果表明,围垦农田土壤样品中Cu、Ph、Cd、Ni、Cr和Zn含量均大于广东省相应土壤环境背景值,其中Cu（56．06mg·kg^-1）、Pb（48．30mg·kg^-1）、Cd（0．72mg·kg^-1）、Ni（41．15mg·kg^-1）、Cr（115．1mg·kg^-1）和Zn（200．1mg·kg^-1）分别为背景值的3．30、1．34、12．82、2．26、2．28和4．23倍。与《土壤环境质量标准》（GB15618-1995）中Ⅱ级标准（pH〈6．5）比较,土壤样品中Cu、Cd、Ni和Zn的超标率分别为73．7％、88．6％、59．6％和28．9％。以GB15618-1995中Ⅱ级标准为评价标准,采用Nemerow指数法进行评价,土壤重金属平均综合污染指数为1．86,属3级轻污染。与《食品中污染物限量》（GB2762-2005）等相关标准比较,农作物中Cu、Pb、Cd、Ni、Cr和Zn含量的样品超标率分别为0、28．9％、2．6％、48．3％、12．3％和6．1％。由此可见,珠三角滩涂围垦农田土壤和农作物重金属污染问题已经比较突出,土壤污染以Cd为主,而农作物污染则以Ni、Ph、Cr为主。     

Long-term cultivation impact on the heavy metal behavior in a reclaimed wetland,Northeast China

Purpose

Heavy metal fractionation varies according to land uses. To understand the behavior of heavy metals in wetland soils under long-term agricultural cultivation, we examined the distribution, source, and associated environmental risk of heavy metals in different types of wetland soils.

Materials and methods

Soils were collected in cultivated lands, artificial ditches, and riparian zones from a reclaimed wetland in the Sanjiang Plain, Northeast China. They were analyzed for total concentrations and chemical fractions of Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn, Cr, and Ni, as well as pH, soil organic matter, total phosphorus, and particle size distribution.

Results and discussion

Heavy metal concentrations were significantly lower in cultivated wetland than in ditch and riparian wetlands. Riparian wetland was found to exhibit the highest metal concentrations. When compared with other two wetland types, the cultivated wetland showed much higher partitioning levels of heavy metals in the acid-soluble fraction and lower partitioning levels in the oxidizable fraction. Although Cr, Cu, and Ni in ditch and riparian wetlands were identified as the metal pollutants of primary concern, they had a low or no risk of further dispersion to other environmental components. Weathering of parent materials was the main source of Cr and Cu, Pb, Cd, and Zn originated mainly from agricultural practices, and Ni emanated from a mixture of sources.

Conclusions

Long-term agricultural cultivation can lead to significant heavy metal loss in cultivated wetland but enrich heavy metal concentrations in ditch and riparian wetlands. Periodic ditch dredging is considered an effective measure for decreasing heavy metal input into the fluvial system and thereby reducing the dispersion to the regional water environment.     

博斯腾湖湿地边缘带农田土壤重金属的污染风险评价

对新疆博斯腾湖湿地边缘带农田土壤中8种重金属元素(As、Cd、Cr、Cu、Mn、Ni、Pb和Zn)地球化学特征进行分析。采用污染负荷指数(PLI)、潜在生态风险指数(RI)和生态风险预警指数(IER)对农田土壤重金属污染与环境风险进行评价。结果表明:(1)湿地边缘带农田土壤Pb和Zn呈现重度污染,As、Cd、Cr和Ni轻度污染,Cu轻微污染,Mn无污染。土壤As、Cd、Cr、Cu、Ni、Pb和Zn平均含量处于轻微风险水平。Cd是污染程度与生态风险等级最高的重金属元素;(2)湿地边缘带农田土壤PLI平均值为1.43,呈现轻度污染,RI平均值为20.62,呈现轻微生态风险状态,IER的平均值为–4.53,呈现无警态势。湿地边缘带PLI、RI与IER空间分布格局基本一致;(3)湿地边缘带农田土壤Pb与Zn来源主要受到人类活动的影响,Cr、Cu、Mn与Ni来源主要受到土壤地球化学作用的控制,As与Cd受自然因素和人为因素共同影响。     

Anthropogenic environmental impact in the Mediterranean coastal area of Koper/Capodistria,Slovenia

Purpose

Heavy metal content in soils could be a consequence of geogenic and different anthropogenic sources. In ancient times, soils in the Mediterranean region were affected by agriculture and viticulture, whereas more recently, industry and traffic might contribute more to their pollution. The aim of the study is to determine the extent of multisource heavy metal pollution in soils within the Koper area.

Materials and methods

Along the northern Adriatic Sea coast, around the port city of Koper/Capodistria, 24 topsoil samples were collected; sets of six samples representing four possible pollution sources: intensive agriculture, viticulture, port activities and industry. The parent material of the soil is mainly derived from the Eocene flysch weathered marls and calcarenites and the soil types are eutric. The chemical composition of the samples was determined by ICP-ES for oxides and several minor elements and by ICP-MS for heavy metals. The mineral composition of the selected samples was checked using X-ray powder diffraction. Different statistical analyses were performed on the normally distributed data.

Results and discussion

The mean concentrations of all samples are: Cr 215 mg kg^?1, Ni 81 mg kg^?1, Zn 67 mg kg^?1, Cu 44 mg kg^?1 and Pb and Co 18 mg kg^?1. The ANOVA showed significant differences only in CaO, C/TOT, P₂O₅, Co and Pb between those locations within reach of the different contamination sources. The observed average values of heavy metals are well below Slovenia’s Directive limit for Cu, Pb and Zn, close to but not above it for Co and above the action value for Cr and Ni. According to Igeo, soils from all the sampling locations are uncontaminated with Co, Ni and Pb, and uncontaminated to moderately contaminated with Cu and Zn at one port location, and with Cr at all locations.

Conclusions

The very high Cr and Ni levels could still be geogenic because soils developed on Eocene flysch rocks are enriched in both metals. Cr and Ni are not correlated because of their different levels of sorption and retention in carbonate soils. Cr was retained and concentrated in the sand fraction but Ni has been mobilised in solution. The only serious threat to the environment seems to be an illegal waste dumping area near the port.     

珠江三角洲污灌区土壤中重金属含量特征

通过现场采样及室内测试方法,分析了珠江三角洲污灌区土壤中9种重金属Cd、Cu、Zn、Pb、Mn、Ni、As、Cr、Se的含量分布特征。结果表明,污灌区土壤9种重金属的全量平均含量均已超出广东省土壤背景值,其中Cd的污染程度最重,Se的污染程度最轻;污灌区土壤以Cd元素的有效系数最高,Ni元素的有效系数最低。Zn、Pb、Cu以及Cd元素随采样深度的增加其全量逐渐减少,Cr、Ni、As以及Se元素随采样深度的增加其全量呈上下波动状态或几乎不变,而Mn元素则是随采样深度的增加其全量先略有减少而后骤升。Cu、Cd、Zn等3种元素全量与有效态含量以及这3种元素全量间均呈显著或极显著的正相关关系。     

Effect of biosolid application to Mollisol Chilean soils on the bioavailability of heavy metals (Cu,Cr, Ni,and Zn) as assessed by bioassays with sunflower (Helianthus annuus) and DGT measurements

Purpose

This study assessed the effect of biosolid application on the bioavailable fraction of some trace elements (Cu, Cr, Ni, and Zn) using a bioassay with sunflower (Helianthus annuus) and a chemical assay, diffusion gradient in thin films (DGT).

Materials and methods

Five surface soil samples (0–20 cm) were collected from an agricultural zone in Central Chile where biosolids are likely to be applied. Municipal biosolids were mixed with the soil at concentrations of 0, 30, 90, and 200 Mg ha^?1. The experiment to determine the bioavailability of metals in the soil using the bioassay was performed using sunflower. The DGT technique and Community Bureau of Reference (BCR) sequential extraction were used to determine the bioavailable fractions of the metals.

Results and discussion

The application of biosolids increased the phytoavailability of Zn, Ni, and Cr in most of the soils, as indicated by the increasing concentrations in sunflower plants as the biosolid application rate increased. In two of the soils, Codigua and Pelvín, this increase peaked at an application rate of 90 Mg ha^?1. Decreases in the bioavailable fractions of Zn, Ni, and Cr were observed with higher biosolid application rates. The bioavailability of metals was estimated through multiple linear regression models between the metals in the sunflower plants and the different chemical fractions of metals in the soils treated with different biosolid rates, which displayed a positive contribution of the labile (water soluble, carbonate, and exchangeable), oxide, and organic metal forms in the soil, particularly with respect to Ni and Zn at application rates of 30 and 90 Mg ha^?1. The bioavailable fraction of metals was determined in soils using the DGT technique. The effective concentration (C _E) results were compared with those in sunflower plants. The DGT technique could effectively predict the bioavailable fractions of Cr, Ni, and Zn in the Taqueral soil but only that of Zn in the Polpaico soil.

Conclusions

The application of biosolids significantly increased the labile fraction of most of the metals in the studied soils, particularly at the highest biosolid application rate. C _E increased as the concentration of biosolids increased for most of the metals. The effectiveness of the DGT technique for predicting the bioavailability of metals was dependent on the soil type and the metal. However, the C _E for soil Cu was not related to plant Cu for all soils studied.     

新乡市寺庄顶污灌区土壤中重金属的形态分布及生物有效性研究

对长期电池废水灌溉的新乡市寺庄顶污灌区和对照区土壤重金属进行取样分析,结果表明,对照区土壤中Cd,Ni,Zn,Cu和Cr含量都能达标,污灌区土壤中Cr含量能达标,Cd,Ni,Zn和Cu的含量超标,其平均含量分别为65.31,1 196.64,2 799.25,145.78 mg/kg,是国家土壤环境质量二级标准的108.85,19.94,9.33和1.46倍。形态分析结果表明,污灌区污染最严重的Cd主要以铁-锰氧化物结合态存在,所占比例平均为56.84%;Ni主要以铁-锰氧化物结合态和残余态存在,所占比例平均为37.44%和39.55%;Zn主要以残余态存在,所占比例平均为78.24%;Cu主要以有机结合态存在,所占比例平均为57.70%;Cr主要以有机结合态和残余态存在,所占比例平均为45.55%和34.18%。与对照相比,污灌降低了Cd,Ni,Zn,Cu和Cr残余态所占比例,提高了重金属迁移能力和生物有效性。在4种超标重金属中Cd可交换态所占比例最高,平均为24.54%,由于其生物有效性最高,Cd迁移能力和植物毒性最值得关注。     

Pollution assessment and spatial variation of soil heavy metals in Lixia River Region of Eastern China

Purpose

The effect of soil heavy metals on crops and human health is an important research topic in some fields (Agriculture, Ecology et al.). In this paper, the objective is to understand the pollution status and spatial variability of soil heavy metals in this study area. These results can help decision-makers apportion possible soil heavy metal sources and formulate pollution control policies, effective soil remediation, and management strategies.

Materials and methods

A total of 212 topsoil samples (0–20 cm) were collected and analyzed for eight heavy metals (Cd, Hg, As, Cu, Pb, Cr, Zn, and Ni) from agricultural areas of Yingbao County in Lixia River Region of Eastern China, by using four indices (pollution index (PI), Nemerow pollution index (PI_N), index of geo-accumulation (I _geo), E _i /risk index (RI)) and cluster analysis to assess pollution level and ecological risk level of soil heavy metals and combining with geostatistics to analyze the concentration change of heavy metals in soils. GS+ software was used to analyze the spatial variation of soil heavy metals, and the semi-variogram model is the main tool to calculate the spatial variability and provide the input parameters for the spatial interpolation of kriging. Arcgis software was used to draw the spatial distribution of soil heavy metals.

Results and discussion

The result indicated that the eight heavy metals in soils of this area had moderate variations, with CVs ranging from 23.51 to 64.37 %. Single pollution index and Nemerow pollution index showed that about 2.7 and 1.36 % of soil sampling sites were moderately polluted by Cd and Zn, respectively. The pollution level of soil heavy metals decreased in the order of Cd?>?Zn?>?Pb?>?As?>?Cu?>?Cr?>?Ni?>?Hg. The I _geo values of heavy metals in this area decreased in the order of Zn?>?Cd?>?As?>?Pb?>?Cu?>?Cr?>?Hg?>?Ni. According to the E _i index, except Cd that was in the moderate ecological risk status, other heavy metals in soils were in the light ecological risk status, and the level of potential ecological risk (RI) of soil sampling sites of the whole area was light.

Conclusions

The results of four indices and the analysis of spatial variation indicated that the contents of Cd and Zn were contributed mainly by anthropogenic activities and located in the south-east of this study area. However, the contents of Hg, As, Cu, Pb, Cr, and Ni in soils were primarily influenced by soil parent materials.

     

Heavy metal pollution of the world largest antimony mine-affected agricultural soils in Hunan province (China)

Purpose  

The present work concerns the distribution of ten heavy metals (Sb, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in the surrounding agricultural soils of the world largest antimony (Sb) mine in China. The objective is to explore the degree and spatial distribution of heavy metal pollution of the Sb mine-affected agricultural soils. The presented data were compared with metal concentrations in soils from mining and smelting sites in China and other countries.     

Leaching Behavior of Heavy Metals In Biosolids Amended Sandy Soils

Use of biosolids in agriculture to improve crop production and soil quality have created concerns due to content of heavy metals that may affect surface or ground water quality. A column leaching study was conducted to evaluate the leaching potential of copper (Cu), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), cdmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), and nickel (Ni) from two typical agricultural sandy soils in South Florida (Spodosol and Alfisol) with increasing application of pelletized biosolids (called PB) at the rates of 0, 1.25, 5.0, 10.0 g kg^?1, respectively together with chemical fertilizer (CF). Elevated PB rate resulted in reduced leaching loss of Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Co, Ni from Spodosol, but resulted in increased loss of Pb, Zn, Cd, and Co from Alfisol. Significant reduction in Cu loss occurred in both soils, which can be attributed to the strong binding of Cu with organic matter from the applied PB. Percentage of Cd loss as of total Cd was 13% – 41%, the highest in all the heavy metals, whereas loss of Pb as of total Pb was less than 6.6%, though the concentrations of Pb, Cd, Co, and Ni in leachate were mostly above the limits of U.S. EPA drinking water standards or the national secondary drinking water standards. These results indicate that soil properties, PB application rates, and chemical behavior of elements jointly influence the leachate total loads of heavy metals in sandy soils applied with biosolids. Application of CF together with BP at a rate higher than 10.0 g kg^?1 for sandy soils may pose potential threats to water quality due to enhanced leachate loads of Cr and Ni in Spodosol and Pb, Zn, Cd, Co and Ni in Alfisol.     

黄河下游典型滩区土壤重金属污染特征及来源解析

针对黄河滩区土壤重金属污染、来源复杂的问题，该研究以原阳滩区复合污染土壤为例，结合土壤重金属含量空间分布和正定矩阵因子分解（positive matrix factorization, PMF）模型，探讨滩区土壤重金属富集特征及来源。源解析结果表明，原阳滩区土壤重金属污染受工业源、交通源、自然来源、燃煤污染源和农业源影响，农业源占主导，相对贡献率达23.5%，其次为工业源、自然来源、交通源、和燃煤污染源。该研究能够准确解析多金属复合土壤复杂成因，可为黄河滩区多金属复合污染土壤的污染源识别提供参考。     

北京城市流域底泥重金属形态特征及其生态风险评价

为了解北京城市流域底泥重金属污染现状及其生态风险,研究分别在北京市永定河流域、潮白河流域、温榆河流域、拒马河流域和泃河流域五大河系（北京段）共设置84个检测样点,采集底泥样品,利用ICP-MS分析法和BCR连续提取法测定北京城市流域底泥中铜（Cu）、锌（Zn）、铬（Cr）、镉（Cd）、镍（Ni）和砷（As）6种主要重金属的含量,分析其分布特征及养分变化,同时运用潜在生态危害指数法和地累积指数法综合评价流域底泥中重金属的生态风险。结果表明:（1）以北京土壤质量标准为北京市参比值,北京流域中下游底泥富营养化严重,重金属富集强弱依次为Cd > （Cr,As,Zn） > （Cu,Ni）;（2）底泥重金属潜在生态危害评价,其危害程度依次为Cd > （Cr,As,Zn） > （Cu,Ni）,其中五大河流下游潜在生态风险较大,生态风险最大的是拒马河水域;（3）地累积指数法进行污染评价,北京河流污染程度依次为下游 > 中游 > 下游,底泥中污染最大的重金属为Cd,其次为Cr,As和Zn,污染较小的为Cu和Ni。综上所述,北京污染较大的河流依次是拒马河、永定河、潮白河、温榆河和泃河,特别是河流下游区域底泥重金属累积较多,潜在生态危害最大。     

Platinum-group and other traffic-related heavy metal contamination in road sediment, Guangzhou, China

Purpose

Human exposure to particulate matter emitted from on-road motor vehicles includes complex mixtures of heavy metals from tyres, brakes, part wear, and resuspended road sediment. The purpose of this study was to determine the concentrations of 14 platinum-group and other traffic-related heavy metals in road sediment within the metropolitan area of Guangzhou, China, with a view to identifying their sources and assessing the extent of anthropogenic influence on heavy metal contamination of road sediment.

Materials and methods

Thirty-five samples of road sediment were collected. The concentrations of Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, La, Ce, Mo, Cd, Pb, Ba, and Rh were measured by inductively coupled plasma?Cmass spectrometry. Pt and Pd were analyzed by isotopic dilution?Cinductively coupled plasma?Cmass spectrometry. Multivariate statistical analysis and enrichment factor methods were employed to identify the sources of these heavy metals and to assess anthropogenic influences on their occurrence.

Results and discussion

The mean concentrations of Pt, Pd, Rh, Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, La, Ce, Mo, Cd, Pb, and Ba in the road sediment samples were 68.24, 93.15, 23.85, 147.5, 712.3, 47.24, 177.5, 1254, 47.50, 96.62, 4.91, 3.00, 198.1, and 641.3?ng?g^?1, respectively. Very weak to significant linear positive correlations were found among the various heavy metals. The elemental composition of road sediment was dominated by five principal components. Three clusters were identified through cluster analysis, and enrichment factors were calculated relative to soils in China. The sources and degree of contamination of the heavy metals are discussed based on the results.

Conclusions

The mean concentrations of heavy metals are higher than background values, especially for Pt, Pd, Rh, Cd, and Zn. Four main sources are identified: (1) Pt, Pd, and Rh were derived from traffic sources; (2) La, Ce, Mn, and Ba were derived mainly from natural sources; (3) Cr, Ni, Cu, Mo, Cd, and Pb showed mixed traffic-industry sources; and (4) Zn originated mainly from industrial sources. Enrichment factor analysis supported this source identification and further indicated that contamination of road sediment in Guangzhou is extremely high for Pt, Pd, and Rh; moderate to very high for Cd, Zn, Pb, Cu, and Mo; and minimal for Cr, Ni, La, Ce, and Ba.