Assessment and Source Analysis on Heavy Metal Pollution of Hongtoushan Copper Mine Soil

Abstract

Total of 23 soil samples were collected in Hongtoushan copper mine area. Heavy metal elements were assessed including Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd , Cr, Ni, As and Hg. Soil environmental quality was assessed by Nemerow index method. Meantime, the soil potential ecological hazard was assessed by Hakanson method. It showed that five samples were contaminated by Ni, exceeding rate of 21.74%, three samples were contaminated by Zn, exceeding rate of 13.04% and sixteen samples were contaminated by Cu, exceeding rate of 69.57%. In comprehensive study, light polluted accounted for 34.78%; moderate polluted accounted for 17.39%; heavily polluted accounted for 4.35%; warning and safety level accounted for 43.48%. At the same time, the order of the potential ecological risk of single-factor was Cd> Hg> Cu> Ni> As> Zn> Cr> Pb. Integrated potential ecological hazard was slight. Statistical analysis, correlation analysis , factor analysis and cluster analysis all suggested that concentration of Cu, Ni and Zn , were mainly affected by human activities, Pb, Cd , Cr , As and Hg were mainly controlled by parent rocks.