Research on the ecological risk of heavy metals in the soil around a Pb–Zn mine in the Huize County, China

The soil pollution by heavy metals was characterized in the mine tailings and surrounding soils of an old Pb–Zn mine in Huize County. Three hundred and ninety-six samples of agricultural and non-agricultural soil were analyzed for the total metal concentration by acid digestion and sixty-eight selected soil samples were used to determine the chemical fractionation of heavy metals with the modified BCR sequential extraction method. The pollution index of the heavy metals indices for As, Cd, Cr, Cu,Hg, Pb and Zn of non-agricultural soil and agricultural soils in the study area indicated the spreading of heavy metal pollution. Sequential extraction showed that most of Cd existed in an exchangeable form(31.2 %). The available content of Pb, Cu and Zn was mainly distributed in acid extractable fractions and Fe/Mn oxide fractions(27.9, 30 and 27.2 %), and Hg, As and Cr were mainly associated with residual fractions(90.4, 72.9 and 76.8 %). The risks of heavy metals were also evaluated by the risk assessment code(RAC) and potential ecological risk index, respectively. The results of RAC showed a medium and high risk of Cd(45.6 and 54.4 %), medium risk of Zn(100 %), low and medium risk of Cu(41.2 and 58.8 %), largely no risk of Hg(97.1 %), and mainly low risk of As and Pb(92.6and 91.8 %). The range of the potential ecological risk of soil was 58.2–1839.3, revealing a considerably high ecological risk in the study area, most likely related to acid mine drainage and the mining complexes located in the area. The results can be used during the ecological risk screening stage, in conjunction with the total concentrations and metal fractionation values, to better estimate ecological risk.

Analysis of groundwater recoverable resource by numerical method in Linfen Basin of Shanxi,North China

Calculation of the groundwater recoverable resource is the main part of groundwater resource evaluation. The three-dimensional groundwater flow model in Linfen Basin was established by GMS software. Then the numerical model was calibrated by observed groundwater level from February to December in 2 000. Based on the calibrated model, the groundwater recoverable resource is calculated. The simulation result shows that under the given value of the groundwater recoverable resource, the groundwater level would decrease significantly in the first 1 000 days, while the water level would drop slowly in 1 000 to 2 000 days, and the water level change tend to be stable after 2000 days.

Regionalization based on spatial and seasonal variation in ground-level ozone concentrations across China

Owing to the vast territory of China and strong regional characteristic of ozone pollution,it＇s desirable for policy makers to have a targeted and prioritized regulation and ozone pollution control strategy in China based on scientific evidences. It＇s important to assess its current pollution status as well as spatial and temporal variation patterns across China.Recent advances of national monitoring networks provide an opportunity to insight the actions of ozone pollution. Here, we present rotated empirical orthogonal function（REOF）analysis that was used on studying the spatiotemporal characteristics of daily ozone concentrations. Based on results of REOF analysis in pollution seasons for 3 years＇ observations, twelve regions with clear patterns were identified in China. The patterns of temporal variation of ozone in each region were separated well and different from each other, reflecting local meteorological, photochemical or pollution features. A rising trend in annual averaged Eight-hour Average Ozone Concentrations（O3-8 hr） from 2014 to 2016 was observed for all regions, except for the Tibetan Plateau. The mean values of annual and 90 percentile concentrations for all 338 cities were 82.6 ± 14.6 and 133.9 ± 25.8 μg/m3,respectively, in 2015. The regionalization results of ozone were found to be influenced greatly by terrain features, indicating significant terrain and landform effects on ozone spatial correlations. Among 12 regions, North China Plain, Huanghuai Plain, Central Yangtze River Plain, Pearl River Delta and Sichuan Basin were realized as priority regions for mitigation strategies, due to their higher ozone concentrations and dense population.

Heavy haze pollution during the COVID-19 lockdown in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region,China

To investigate the characteristics of particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5μm(PM_(2.5))and its chemical compositions in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei(BTH)region of China during the novel coronavirus disease(COVID-19)lockdown,the ground-based data of PM_(2.5),trace gases,water-soluble inorganic ions,and organic and elemental carbon were analyzed in three typical cities(Beijing,Tianjin,and Baoding)in the BTH region of China from 5-15 February 2020.The PM_(2.5)source apportionment was established by combining the weather research and forecasting model and comprehensive air quality model with extensions(WRF-CAMx).The results showed that the maximum daily PM_(2.5)concentration reached the heavy pollution level(>150μg/m^(3))in the above three cities.The sum concentration of SO_(4)^(2-),NO_(3)^(-)and NH_(4)^(+)played a dominant position in PM_(2.5)chemical compositions of Beijing,Tianjin,and Baoding;secondary transformation of gaseous pollutants contributed significantly to PM_(2.5)generation,and the secondary transformation was enhanced as the increased PM_(2.5)concentrations.The results of WRF-CAMx showed obviously inter-transport of PM_(2.5)in the BTH region;the contribution of transportation source decreased significantly than previous reports in Beijing,Tianjin,and Baoding during the COVID-19 lockdown;but the contribution of industrial and residential emission sources increased significantly with the increase of PM_(2.5)concentration,and industry emission sources contributed the most to PM_(2.5)concentrations.Therefore,control policies should be devoted to reducing industrial emissions and regional joint control strategies to mitigate haze pollution.