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Spatial distribution and risk assessment of heavy metals in soil in the metal mining area of Paojinshan, Hunan, China
Received:August 20, 2017  
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KeyWord:Paojinshan;soil heavy metals;spatial distribution;risk assessment;statistics
Author NameAffiliationE-mail
LIU Fang-zhi School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences(Wuhan), Wuhan 430074, China  
HU Jun-liang Wuhan Center of Geological Survey, China Geological Survey, Wuhan 430205, China  
LIU Jin-song Wuhan Center of Geological Survey, China Geological Survey, Wuhan 430205, China  
ZHAO Zhen-qian School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences(Wuhan), Wuhan 430074, China  
YANG Xue School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences(Wuhan), Wuhan 430074, China  
ZHANG Yu School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences(Wuhan), Wuhan 430074, China  
LUO Zhao-hui School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences(Wuhan), Wuhan 430074, China zhhluo@cug.edu.cn 
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Abstract:
      Spatial distribution and potential risks of heavy metals in soil were studied in the Paojinshan mining area(Qiaotiaojiang River watershed), a typical multi-metal mining area of the Nanling metallogenic belt, Hunan, China. A total of 7 heavy metals, Cr, Cd, Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni, and As were tested and analyzed in 352 surface soil samples. Statistical analysis demonstrated that the surface soil in the study area was subject to different degrees of pollution by the seven heavy metals, with slightly higher spatial variability of the heavy metals, and complex pollution and point source pollution were prominent. The mining area and its downstream valley areas were characterized by high levels of pollution. Analysis of different factors affecting the distribution of soil heavy metals showed that the content of heavy metals in the soil increased with increasing pH and organic matter content. There was no obvious difference in the content of Cr, Ni, and Cd under different land use patterns; however, Pb, Zn, Cu, and As showed a tendency of higher concentrations in grassland and forest land. The geological condition was the other important factor, whereby high contents of heavy metals were found in the areas of mineralization mother rock(granite), ore-bearing strata(D2s+h), as well as the downstream terrace(Qx) of the mining area. Potential ecological risk assessment by the Hakanson model showed that the potential ecological risk level was low-middle for the majority of heavy metals; however, the risk level was high for Cd, Pb, and As. The mining area and the Qiaotiaojiang River downstream had high or very high levels of potential ecological risk and more attention should be paid to controlling the effect of pollution on the Beijiang River basin.