Assessment of Heavy Metal Contamination in Soils around Coal Mine Spoil Piles in Shiguai District of Baotou, Inner Mongolia, Northern China

Abstract

The concentration of heavy metals (Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn, Mn and Fe) were studied around coal mine spoil piles in Shiguai district of Baotou located in Inner Mongolia grassland and desert transition zone. Aim of the study is to control soil heavy metal pollution of coal mining area and provide the basic data information. The results indicated that concentrations of Cu, Cr, Ni and Zn in the soil along the roadsides were higher than other sampling areas. The pollution characteristic and the elements of heavy metal contamination were corresponding with the concentrations of the different types of coal mine spoils. According to the single factor pollution index, soils from different regions were contaminated by Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn, Mn and Fe in varying degree. The pollution degree was in order: Cu > Cr > Fe > Zn > Ni > Mn. Nemerow’s synthetical pollution index indicated that soils from the roadsides had the most serious heavy metal contamination, the index was 3.11. The order of pollution level in different regions was: roadsides > flood land > farmland > woodland. The health and stabilization of environmental quality are being threatened by soil heavy metals.