Assessment of Zn, Pb and Cd in Soil around an MSW Incineration Plant: Using Risk Assessment and Multivariate Statistical Techniques

Abstract

To investigate and evaluate the spatial distribution of Zn, Pb and Cd in the soil around a municipal solid waste incineration plant and its ecological risks, Zn, Pb and Cd were analyzed in soil samples around a municipal solid waste incineration plant in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China. The results revealed that the average content of Zn and Pb did not exceed the soil environmental quality value for the risk control standard for soil contamination of agricultural land (GB15618-2018), but the average content of Cd in the soil was higher than this standard. Multivariate statistical analysis indicated that Cd was the predominant pollutant and had strong correlations with Zn and Pb. The Cd content was most impacted by human activities, which also explained that this municipal solid waste incineration plant has little effect on Zn, Pb and Cd in the surrounding soil. The geo-accumulation index decreased in the order of Cd > Zn > Pb, and the geo-accumulation index of Cd was greater than 5, indicating that the pollution level for Cd was extremely heavy. The comprehensive potential ecological risk index (RI) of various heavy metals was greater than 1200, And the potential ecological risk level of the study area was high. The contribution rate of Cd to RI was relatively large, and Cd pollution should be paid more attention to.