Harmful evaluation of heavy metals from soil layer to the groundwater: Take the Jilin Hunchun Basin as an example

The continuous enrichment of heavy metals in soils has caused potential harm to groundwater.Quantitative methods to evaluate the harm of heavy metals in soil to groundwater are lacked in previous studies.Based on the theory of groundwater circulation and solid-liquid equilibrium,a simple and easy-touse flux model of soil heavy metals migrating to groundwater is constructed.Based on groundwater environmental capacity,an innovative method for evaluating the harm of heavy metals in soil to groundwater is proposed,which has been applied in Hunchun Basin,Jilin Province,China.The results show that the fluxes of soil heavy metals into groundwater in the study area are Zn,Cu,As,Pb,Cd,Ni,and Hg in descending order.The content of heavy metals in groundwater(As,Hg,Cu,Pb,Zn,Ni,and Cd)in most areas has not risen to the threshold of environmental capacity within 10 years.The harm levels of soil heavy metals to groundwater in the most townships soils are at the moderate level or below.This evaluation method can quantify the flux of soil heavy metals into groundwater simply and quickly,determine the residual capacity of groundwater to heavy metals,evaluate the harm level of soil heavy metals to groundwater,provide support for relevant departments to carry out environmental protection of soil and groundwater,and provide a reference to carry out similar studies for related scholars.

A Comparative Analysis of Environmental Quality Assessment Methods for Heavy Metal-Contaminated Soils

Four assessment methods(two pollution indexes and two fuzzy mathematical models) were employed to investigate the environmental quality of four soils around a ferroalloy plant in Nanjing City.Environmental quality was assessed as class IV(moderately polluted) for each soil with single-factor index method,and was identified to be classes IV,III(slightly polluted),III,and III for soils A,B,C,and D,respectively,with the comprehensive index model.In comparison with the single-factor index method,the comprehensive index model concerned both dominant parameter and average contribution of all factors to the integrated environmental quality.Using the two fuzzy mathematical methods(single-factor deciding and weighted average models),the environmental risks were determined to be classes IV,III,II(clean),and II for soils A,B,C,and D,respectively.However,divergence of the membership degree to each pollution class still occurred between the two methods.In fuzzy mathematical methods,membership functions were used to describe the limits between different pollution degrees,and different weights were allocated for the factors according to pollution contribution.Introduction of membership degree and weight of each factor to fuzzy mathematical models made the methods more reasonable in the field of environmental risk assessment.

Assessment and mapping of environmental quality in agricultural soils of Zhejiang Province, China

Heavy metal concentrations in agricultural soils of Zhejiang Province were monitored to indicate the status of heavy metal contamination and assess environmental quality of agricultural soils. A total of 908 soil samples were collected from 38 counties in Zbejiang Province and eight heavy metal （Cd, Cr, Pb, Hg, Cu, Zn, Ni and As） concentrations had been evaluated in agricultural soil. It was found 775 samples were unpolluted and 133 samples were slightly polluted and more respectively, that is approximately 14.65% agricultural soil samples had the heavy metal concentration above the threshold level in this province by means of Nemerow＇s synthetical pollution index method according to the second grade of Standards for Soil Environmental Quality of China （GB15618- 1995）. Contamination of Cd was the highest, followed by Ni, As and Zn were lower correspondingly. Moreover, Inverse Distance Weighted （IDW） interpolation method was used to make an assessment map of soil environmental quality based on the Nemerow＇s pollution index and the soil environmental quality was categorized into five grades. Moreover, ten indices were calculated as input parameters for principal component analysis （PCA） and the principal components （PCs） were created to compare environmental quality of different soils and regions. The results revealed that environmental quality of tea soils was better than that of paddy soils, vegetable soils and fruit soils. This study indicated that GIS combined with multivariate statistical approaches proved to be effective and powerful tool in the mapping of soil contamination distribution and the assessment of soil environmental quality on provincial scale, which is beneficial to environmental protection and management decision-making by local government.

Heavy metal concentrations of agricultural soils and vegetables from Dongguan, Guangdong

A total of 118 of agricultural soil and 43 of vegetable samples were collected from Dongguan City, Guangdong, China. The spatial distribution, sources, accumulation characteristics and potential risk of heavy metals in the agricultural soils and vegetables were depicted in details by three different approaches, including total contents of eight metal elements in soils and vegetables, GIS maps and multivariate analysis of heavy metals in soils in the study. The results show that there are higher accumulation of heavy metals such as Cu, Zn, Ni, Pb, Cd and Hg in agricultural soils, and the contents of Pb （65.38 mg kg^-1） and Hg （0.24 mg kg^-1） are 1.82 and 2.82 times of the background contents of the corresponding heavy metals in soils of Guangdong Province, respectively. There are about 3.4% of Cu, 5.9% of Ni, 1.7% of Cd and 28% of Hg in all collected soil samples from all investigated sites which have overran the contents for heavy metals of the China Environmental Quality Standard for Soils （GB15618-1995, Grade Ⅱ）. The pollution characteristics of multi-metals in soils are mainly reflected by Hg. There are different sources to eight metal elements in soils, Cu, Zn, Ni Cr and As are predominantly derived from parent materials, and Pb, Hg and Cd are affected by anthropogenic activities. The spatial distribution shows that the Cu, Zn, Ni, Cr, Pb, As and Hg contents of agricultural soils are high in the west and low in the east, and Cd contents are high in the northwest, southeast and low in the southwest in Dongguan. The ratios of vegetable samples which Ni, Pb and As concentrations higher than the Maximum Levels of Contaminants in Foods （GB2762-2005） are 4.7%, 16.3% and 48.8%, respectively. The order of bio-concentration factors （BCF） of heavy metals in vegetables is Cd 〉 Zn 〉 Cu 〉 As 〉 Ni 〉 Hg 〉 Cr 〉 Pb. It is necessary to focus on potential risk of heavy metals for food safety and human＇s health from agricultural soils and vegetables in Dongguan City, Guangdong Province.

Assessment on heavy metals pollution of agricultural soil in Guanzhong District

The monitored soil samples were collected from Heihui irrigated area, Jiaokou irrigated area, Qianhe river valley and Jinghe river valley （hereafter Heihui, Jiaokou, Qianhe and Jinghe for short respectively） of Guanzhong District. According to the Environment Quality Standard for Soil （GB 15618-1995II）, we evaluated the pollution status of heavy metals （Cd, As, Cr and Pb） that could seriously endanger soil environment and human health by using single-factor index and synthetic pollution index methods. The results indicate that the synthetic pollution indices P of soil heavy metals are less than 0.7 in Heihui, Jiaokou, Qianhe and Jinghe of Guanzhong, the single-factor indices Pi of soil heavy metals of most soil samples are less than 0.7, so the soil environmental quality is in a good condition in Guanzhong on the whole; the enrichment degree of soil heavy metals is in the order of Heihui, Jinghe, Qianhe and Jiaokou; the contaminated degree of soil heavy metals has the feature of Cd 〉 As 〉 Cr 〉 Pb; heavy metals contents in the cultivated horizon soil are generally higher than those in its underlayer soil, heavy metals contents of soil have the characteristic of enriching towards the cultivated horizon; Cd exceeds standard in the soil samples HS07a, b and HS08a, b at the Yangtao orchard in Heihui and in the soil sample QHS01a at the suburban vegetable plot in Qianhe, which was mainly caused by the long-term irrational use of chemical fertilizer and pesticide.

Effects of heavy metal pollution on farmland soils and crops:A case study of the Xiaoqinling Gold Belt,China

This paper focuses on the heavy metal enrichment and heavy metal pollution degree associated with mining activities in some crops and the soils of different parent materials in the Xiaoqinling Gold Belt.According to the geochemical analysis results of the soils observed in the gold belt,the soils are most highly enriched in Pb,followed by Cr,Cu,and Zn.Furthermore,they are relatively poor in Hg,Cd,and As.It is also shown that the heavy metals in all kinds of soils have the same geochemical characteristics in the gold belt.As for the crops(such as corn and wheat)in the gold belt,Zn and Cu are the most abundant elements,followed by Pb and Cr.Meanwhile,Hg,Cd,and As were found to have relatively low concentrations in the crops.The heavy metals in wheat and corn have the same geochemical characteristics in the gold belt in general.Compared to the aeolian loess soils and the crops therein,heavy metals are more enriched in diluvial and alluvial soils and the crops therein.As shown by relevant studies,the Hg,Pb,Cd,Cu,and Zn pollution are mainly caused by mining activities.Corn and wheat in the gold belt have a high tendency of risk exposure to heavy metal pollution since they are mostly affected by mining activities and feature high background values of heavy metal concentrations.Furthermore,wheat is more liable to be enriched in heavy metals than corn is grown in all types of soils.The Hg pollution in soils leads to Hg accumulation,increasing the risk of Hg uptake in crops,and further affecting human health.This study will provide a scientific basis for the control and management of heavy metals in farmland soils of mining areas.

Analysis of Heavy Metal Sources for Vegetable Soils from Shandong Province, China

Heavy metal pollution in agricultural soils has serious negative influence on human health. Concentrations of Cd, Hg, As, Pb, Cr, Cu, Zn, and Ni in top soils （0-20 cm） of greenhouses and farmlands from four main vegetable production areas Shouguang, Laiyang, Jinxiang, and Zhangqiu in Shandong Province, one of the most rapidly developing regions in China, were measured in this study. Shouguang is mainly occupied by greenhouse vegetables and the other three areas are mainly open field culture. Total of 149 soil samples were collected. The average concentrations of the eight heavy metals of the tested 149 soil samples were all below the threshold values according to ＂Farmland environmental quality evaluation standards for edible agricultural products （HJ332-2006）＂ of China. However, most of the studied heavy metals were present at higher concentrations than those of the natural background levels in local agricultural soils. Among the total 149 soil samples, 22 samples were contaminated by Cd, Ni, Cu, or Hg. Comparisons showed that the main pollution element in greenhouse vegetable soils was Cd, while that of open field vegetable soils was Cu. The results of principal components analysis （PCA） suggested that concentrations of Cr, As, and Ni were mainly controlled by parent rocks; Hg and Pb were affected by anthropogenic activities such as vehicle and industrial fumes and waste water irrigation. Meanwhile, concentrations of Cd, Cu, and Zn were affected mainly by the use of agrochemicals. Most of the heavy metals were positively correlated with each other in concentration. Appropriate measures should be taken to effectively control heavy metal levels in vegetable soils and thus protect human health.

Evaluation on environmental quality for heavy metal elements of Xihe soil

According to "Environmental quality standard for soil" and using As,Cd,Cr,Cu,Hg,Ni,Pb,Zn elements as evaluation index,the author evaluated soil environmental quality in Xihe area of Shenyang.The results show that the soil in Xihe area is polluted rifely by heavy metal elements.The polluted areas are mainly distributed near the upstreams of Xihe River,Shenxin River and Shenliao irrigation canal.There exist large distinctions among the heavy metal elements to the pollution degree.Cd pollution area is the biggest and the most serious in pollution degree.

Evaluation on Heavy Metal Pollution of Soil in Pollution-free Agricultural Product Bases in Guangxi

Using data of 6 pollution-free agricultural product bases in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region,this paper analyzed content of heavy metals,including arsenic(As),mercury(Hg),lead(Pb),cadmium(Cd),and chromium(Cr) in soil.After Pb,Cd,Cr,Hg and As content in soil is determined,it evaluated the pollution of soil using single factor pollution index method and Nemerow synthetic pollution index method in combination with evaluation standard of heavy metals in soil and grading standard for soil pollution.Analysis results indicate that As,Hg,Pb,Cd,Cr content is different in pollution-free agricultural product bases,but all conform to related standards and there is no standard exceeding problem.It is concluded that the quality of soil in pollution-free agricultural product bases is excellent,not polluted and completely meet requirements of evaluation standards,and suitable for developing pollution-free agricultural products.

Phytoremediation of heavy metal polluted soils and water:Progresses and perspectives

Environmental pollution affects the quality of pedosphere,hydrosphere,atmosphere,lithosphere and biosphere.Great efforts have been made in the last two decades to reduce pollution sources and remedy the polluted soil and water resources.Phytoremediation,being more cost-effective and fewer side effects than physical and chemical approaches,has gained increasing popularity in both academic and practical circles.More than 400 plant species have been identified to have potential for soil and water remediation.Among them,Thlaspi,Brassica,Sedum alfredii H.,and Arabidopsis species have been mostly studied.It is also expected that recent advances in biotechnology will play a promising role in the development of new hyperaccumulators by transferring metal hyperaccumulating genes from low biomass wild species to the higher biomass producing cultivated species in the times to come.This paper attempted to provide a brief review on recent progresses in research and practical applications of phytoremediation for soil and water resources.

Impact of Urbanization on Shanghai's Soil Environmental Quality

Heavy metal contents in the soils in the Baoshan District of Shanghai were monitored to evaluate the risk of soil environmental quality degradation due to rapid urbanization and to reveal the ways of heavy metal accumulation in soil during rapid urban sprawl. It was found that the soils in this district were commonly contaminated by Pb, Zn and Cd. Evaluated with a geo-accumulation index (Igeo), the rate of Pb contamination in soils was 100% with 59% of these graded as moderate-severe or severe; Zn contamination reached 59% with 6% graded as moderate-severe or severe; and Cd contamination was over 50%, with one site graded as moderate-severe and another severe-extremely severe. Metal contamination of soils around the Shanghai metropolis was mainly attributed to traffic, industrial production, wastewater irrigation and improper disposal of solid wastes. Because of continuing urbanization, the cultivated land around the metropolis should be comprehensively planned and carefully managed. Also the soil environmental quality of vegetable production bases in this area should be monitored regularly, with vegetables to be grown selected according to the degrees and types of soil contamination.

Heavy Metals in Soils Associated with Fertilizers in Trinidad

Heavy metals in agricultural soil pose human health risks through food consumption. In a novel study for Trinidad, concentration and pollution index levels of heavy metals were assessed from 18 agricultural farms using the X-Ray fluorescence technique, then to evaluate the Geo-accumulation and Nemerow’s Integrated Pollution indexes. Toxic elements Pb and As were present but soil quality due to anthropogenic input was found as unpolluted. Overall heavy metal pollution was classified at a precautionary level for 33% of farms, slightly polluted for 61% and moderately polluted for 6% of the farms assessed, thus, regular monitoring and mitigation measures are important for food safety and human health in Trinidad.

Heavy metal pollution of soils and vegetables in the midstream and downstream of the Xiangjiang River, Hunan Province

A total of 219 agricultural soil and 48 vegetable samples were collected from the midstream and downstream of the Xiangjiang River（the Hengyang-Changsha section）in Hunan Province.The accumulation characteristics,spatial distribution and potential risk of heavy metals in the agricultural soils and vegetables were depicted.There are higher accumulations of heavy metals such as As,Cd,Cu,Ni,Pb and Zn in agricultural soils,and the contents of Cd（2.44 mg kg^-1 ）,Pb（65.00 mg kg^-1 ）and Zn（144.13 mg kg^-1 ）are 7.97,3.69 and 1.63 times the corresponding background contents in soils of Hunan Province,respectively. 13.2%of As,68.5%of Cd,2.7%of Cu,2.7%of Ni,8.7%of Pb and 15.1%of Zn in soil samples from the investigated sites exceeded the maximum allowable heavy metal contents in the China Environmental Quality Standard for Soils（GB15618-1995,Grade Ⅱ）.The pollution characteristics of multi-metals in soils are mainly due to Cd.The contents of As,Cd,Cu,Pb and Zn in vegetable soils are significantly higher than the contents in paddy soils.95.8%, 68.8%,10.4%and 95.8%of vegetable samples exceeded the Maximum Levels of Contaminants in Foods（GB2762-2005）for As,Cd,Ni and Pb concentrations,respectively.There are significantly positive correlations between the concentrations of Cd,Pb and Zn in vegetables and the concentrations in the corresponding vegetable soils（p〈0.01）.It is very necessary to focus on the potential risk of heavy metals for food safety and human health in agricultural soils and vegetables in the midstream and downstream of the Xiangjiang River,Hunan Province of China.

Magnetic records of heavy metal pollution in urban topsoil in Lanzhou,China

This study is a systematic analysis of the magnetic characteristics and heavy metal elements in soil samples collected from Lanzhou City,China.The 117 surface soil samples were measured to study the feasibility and effectiveness of environmental magnetism for evaluating heavy metal pollution in urban soils.Results of the study indicate that low-coercivity magnetite dominates the magnetic properties in the samples.The high values of the soil magnetic mineral concentration parameters and low values of magnetic particle size parameters are distributed throughout the northern area of Xigu District,the industrial zones of the eastern section of Chengguan District and the districts of the narrow sections connecting Chengguan District and the other three districts;these parameters are fundamentally consistent with the distribution of the high values of the Pollution Load Index and Nemerow Pollution Index.Semi-quantitative studies which use the environmental magnetic method to monitor pollution of heavy metals(such as As,Cr,Cu,Ni,Pb,Zn,and Fe) have shown that when xlf≤35×10-8 m 3 kg-1,it is unpolluted;when 35≤xlf <150×10-8 m3 kg-1,it is moderately polluted to unpolluted;when 150≤xlf <365×10-8 m 3 kg-1,it is moderately polluted;when 365≤xlf <750×10-8 m3 kg-1,fd %<2.7 and ARM /SIRM<0.2×10-3m A-1,it is moderately to highly polluted;when xlf ≥750×10-8 m3 kg-1,xfd %<2.7 and xARM/SIRM<0.2×10-3m A-1,it is highly polluted.The region of moderately to highly polluted distribution is caused by industry and vehicles,showing that the change of pollution in Lanzhou City bears the trend of "vehicle emission + industrial".

Bioavailability of crops to environmental hormone Pb in soils and its remediation

Lead (Pb), as an environmental hormone, acts as an estrogen in animal and human bodies, and its envi- ronmental pollution can result in many procreant anomalies, such as maladjustment of incretion, weakening of pro- creation function and descending of genital immunity. Experiments on pot-growth of paddies and corns in this study indicated that these crops did not show any macro-toxic symptoms in the observed contents of Pb added (0–4000 mg/kg) in soils. However, lead in soils can be easily absorbed by crops and accumulated in the different parts of plants. Statistical analysis showed that Pb contents in the crops are strongly positively correlated to the Pb contents in soils. In the crops, the Pb contents of roots are highest, tens to thousands of times those of straws and seeds. It is suggested that the root is a barrier of Pb absorbed by straws and seeds. Based on this fact, Pb pollution in soils can be gradually reduced by planting crops and subsequently removing the roots from the soil. This biotechnology may be used in environmental remediation, which embraces the quality of sustainable agricultural economy and a healthy environment.

Heavy metal accumulation in the above-ground vegetation and soil around an iron smelting factory in Ile-Ife, southwestern Nigeria

This study investigated the accumulation of heavy metals in the above-ground vegetation and soil around an iron smelting factory located at the Fashina Area, Ile-Ife, Osun State, southwestern Nigeria. This was with a view to establish baseline data which can be used for assessing the impact of the steel processing industry in the area. Samples of the two most common herbaceous species （Chromolaena odorata and Aspilia africana） around the factory were randomly collected at 10 m away from the wall of the factory, and soil samples were randomly collected at 0-15 cm depths in the same area. The plant species were oven-dried, put through a mixed acid digestion procedure, and, along with soil samples, were analyzed for N, P, K, C, Zn, Pb, Cd, Ni, and Cr using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The data obtained were subjected to appropriate descriptive and inferential statistical analyses. The results revealed that the soils were slightly acidic, with pH values of 6.23±0.24 in the dry season and 6.10±0.16 in the rainy season. There was a significant difference （P 〈0.05） in the percentage content of total N, total P, K, and organic matter values in the soil samples collected in the two seasons. The Cd, Pb, and Cr contents in the soil samples from the rainy season were significantly higher （P 〈0.05） than those of the dry season. The analyzed plant species showed a progressive decrease in the concentration of the elements tested, with percentage content of C 〉 P 〉 N in both Aspilia africana and Chromolaena odorata. In the dry season, C percentage concentration was higher in Aspilia africana, while the other elements followed the trend observed in the rainy season. The concentration of Zn was higher in Aspilia af- ricana in both the polluted site and the control site in the rainy season, while the concentrations of the other heavy metals were higher in Chromolaena odorata in the dry season. This study revealed that the heavy metal concentration varied with the plant species and also with the prevailing seasonal conditions. Also, the accumulation and concentration of heavy metals in both plant species and in the soil indicated a potential hazard of the factory to the local environment.

Heavy metals potentially drive co-selection of antibiotic resistance genes by shifting soil bacterial communities in paddy soils along the middle and lower Yangtze River

Heavy metals(HMs)and antibiotic resistance have become serious environmental problems affecting soil and human health.Soil microorganisms play key roles in pollutant degradation and biogeochemical cycling processes;however,the interactions among HMs,soil microbial communities,and antibiotic resistance genes(ARGs)in agricultural soils remain unclear.Using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and NovaSeq sequencing,we evaluated heavy metal contents,abundances of ARGs,soil bacterial community structure and functions,and their correlations in paddy soils at 43 sampling sites along the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River,central and eastern China.Our results showed the co-occurrence of HMs,ARGs,and HM resistance genes across all paddy soils.Additionally,significant positive associations were detected between HMs and resistance genes.Cadmium,czcA,and int1 were positively correlated with bacterial community diversity.The Mantel test showed that bacterial community composition and functions were significantly associated with HMs and resistance genes,such as Cd,Cr,Zn,copA,czcA,int1,and sul1.Moreover,HMs and ARGs were the major factors shaping soil bacterial communities;thus,HMs triggered proliferation of HM and antibiotic resistances by influencing the mobile genetic element(int1)and soil microbial communities.Our study revealed that HMs potentially drive the co-selection of ARGs by shifting soil bacterial community structure and functions,thereby increasing the potential risks to human health as well as ecological environment in the paddy soils along the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River.

甘肃省白银市四龙镇-北湾镇耕地区土壤重金属现状及生态风险评价

【研究目的】甘肃省白银地区矿业发达,矿山开采导致土壤重金属污染严重,掌握当地土壤重金属污染及对生态健康风险的影响对生态环境保护具有重要意义。【研究方法】以甘肃省白银地区四龙镇—北湾镇耕地区表层土壤为研究对象,采用单因子指数法、内梅罗综合指数法、地积累指数法和潜在生态危害指数法四种方法对区内表层土壤重金属(As、Cd、Cr、Cu、Hg、Ni、Pb、Zn)污染进行了分析和评价。【研究结果】单因子指数法统计结果显示研究区土壤污染主要为Cd、As的污染,单因子指数PCd显示89.21%的土壤为一等清洁,8.63%为二等轻微污染,0.72%为三等轻度污染,1.44%为四等中度污染。单因子指数P_(As)显示94.24%为土壤为一等清洁,5.04%为二等轻微污染,0.72%四等中度污染。内梅罗综合指数P_(z)介于0.339~2.869,均值为0.603;Pz显示85.61%的土壤为清洁,7.91%为轻微污染,5.04%为轻度污染,1.44%为中度污染。地积累指数法结果显示研究区土壤重金属污染总体处于0~2级,以Cd、Hg、As、Pb污染为主。潜在生态危害指数法结果显示,研究区污染以Cd、Hg污染为主;Cd潜在生态风险最大,10.07%属于中潜在风险,5.04%属于较高潜在风险,1.44%属于很高潜在风险;潜在生态危害综合指数平均值为211.80,表明该地区土壤总体处于中等危害程度。四种方法评价结果总体一致,即研究区以Cd、As、Hg污染为主,应加强监测。【结论】以黄河为界对调查区进行分区研究,结果显示北岸灌淤土区(B区)污染最为严重,与东大沟河交界位置污染程度最高,水体及底泥样品重金属分析结果也证实东大沟河污染也较为明显,进一步证实了研究区北部主要受白银矿山东大沟河流域污染为主,而黄河南岸土壤相对清洁,但也受到不同程度的影响。近些年,随着引黄灌溉及矿山环境治理等措施,土壤污染有所缓解,但土壤中累积的重金属需要长时间的自然降解或迁移,对高风险区仍应加强监测及治理。