Assessment and source identification of toxic metals in an abandoned synthetic diamond production plant from Anhui Province, China

Abstract

In this study, soil and sediment samples along with groundwater samples were collected and analyzed from an abandoned synthetic diamond production plant in Anhui Province, South China. Chemical analysis, pollution characteristics analysis, and correlation analysis were conducted to assess and to determine the source(s) of the toxic metal and organic pollutions in the study sites. The Co and Ni concentrations of soil samples collected from the production area exceed the risk screening value for contaminated development land in Soil Environment Quality Standards for soil pollution risk control on construction land (Trial) of China, while the concentrations of other toxic elements such as Cr, Cu, and Zn are lower than the screening value. The PCA and HCA results are consistent with the correlation coefficient analysis and indicate that industrial activities are the main sources of Co and Ni. The chemical composition and source analysis results of soil and groundwater show that toxic metals originating from catalyst and low pH value from acid waste water should be the main point of concern in the synthetic diamond production plant.