Abstract
The purpose of this study is to recognize the contamination characteristics of trace metals in soils and apportion their potential sources in Northern China to provide a scientific basis for basic of soil environment management and pollution control. The data set of metals for 12 elements in surface soil samples was collected. The enrichment factor and geoaccumulation index were used to identify the general geochemical characteristics of trace metals in soils. The UNMIX and positive matrix factorizations (PMF) models were comparatively applied to apportion their potential sources. Furthermore, geostatistical tools were used to study the spatial distribution of pollution characteristics and to identify the affected regions of sources that were derived from apportionment models. The soils were contaminated by Cd, Hg, Pb and Zn to varying degree. Industrial activities, agricultural activities and natural sources were identified as the potential sources determining the contents of trace metals in soils with contributions of 24.8%–24.9%, 33.3%–37.2% and 38.0%–41.8%, respectively. The slightly different results obtained from UNMIX and PMF might be caused by the estimations of uncertainty and different algorithms within the models.
Highlights
It is well known that heavy metals in soils present risks for human health due to their toxicity, persistence, and non-biodegradable natures [1]
Tianjin covers a total area of 11,900 km2 and had a population of 12.99 million in 2010 [13]. This region, close to Bohai Bay, which is affected by the ocean climate and has a semi-humid monsoon climate, that is characterized by wide seasonal variation in annual rainfall of approximately 600 mm [13]
The results showed that the three-factor solution explained 92.4% and 91.5% of the total variances for UNMIX and positive matrix factorizations (PMF), respectively
Summary
It is well known that heavy metals in soils present risks for human health due to their toxicity, persistence, and non-biodegradable natures [1]. Urban and industrial areas are generally considered a sink of trace metals from various pollution sources [2]. In China, vehicular emissions, industrial waste, and atmospheric deposition are the most important sources of heavy metals in urban topsoil, whereas wastewater irrigation and land fertilization with sludge contribute most to heavy metal contamination of topsoil in rural areas [3]. Due China’s rapid urbanization and industrialization, the establishment of industrial operations and fast urban expansion. Source apportionment of soil metals by multivariate statistical models have drastically increased industrial and municipal wastewater discharges and other pollutant emissions nationwide [4]. Strengthening the prevention and control of soil pollution has become China’s current key strategic task [4]
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