Determination of Occurrence Characteristics of Heavy Metals in Soil and Water Environments in Tianshan Mountains, Central Asia

Abstract

China has one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, but this economic development has important implications for environmental changes in this country. Our research was to quantify the presence of heavy metals in soil and water environments in the Tianshan Mountains region of China, associated with the economic development of this region. We used anomaly analysis, correlation analysis, and principal component analysis to assess the occurrence characteristics of heavy metals in this area. Results showed that Co, Cr, As, and Ni are more prevalent in water environments than in soil environments; in contrast, Cd, Zn, Pb, Hg, and Mn are more prevalent in soil samples than in water samples. This analysis grouped 10 heavy metals in soil and water environments into three principal components. In soil environments, the prevalence order was Co, Ni, Cr, As > Mn, Zn, Pb > Hg, Cd, Cu. In water environments, the order was Cu, Co, Ni, Cr, As > Hg, Mn, Zn > Cd, Pb. It is possible to distinguish between the natural and the anthropogenic sources of heavy metals in the Tianshan Mountains. With the current rapid economic development in the Tianshan Mountains, anthropogenic sources are playing principal roles in serious heavy metal accumulations in this region. This problem warrants immediate and widespread attention to prevent further deterioration of the soil and water environments.