Abstract
The total contents of lead, arsenic, mercury, chromium, cadmium, zinc, copper, molybdenum and nickel were determined in soils collected from mining and agricultural areas around the molybdenum mine in Liaoning Province, China. The distribution, chemical fractions and ecological risks of heavy metals in soils were investigated and assessed. It was found that: the degrees of warning for all soils, both mining industry areas and agricultural areas, were serious warning. The results meant that all soils were contaminated seriously by heavy metals. The observed scheme of chemical fractions for heavy metals in soils of different sites was as follows commonly: residual>oxidable> reducible>acid soluble. The sources of heavy metals in top soils around the mine were as follows: dust fall, residue in the open air, higher background in soil-forming process, accompaniment element, automobile exhaust, wear of tires and brakes, release of heavy metals from ore tailing, the application of pesticides and irrigation with wastewater.
Highlights
Anthropogenic activities such as mining and smelting of metal ores have increased the prevalence and occurrence of heavy metal contamination at the Earth’s surface
The correlation coefficients between Pb and other heavy metals were preferable for higher background of Pb in soils and the existing of outside source of contamination
The contents of heavy metals in top soils of collection site were higher than those in top soils of transportation and tailing site, it may be due to the reasons: no phytoremediation, dust fall, residue in the open air, higher background in soil-forming process (Mo & As), accompaniment element (Hg), automobile exhaust (Pb & Ni), the wear of the tire and brake (Zn, Cd, Cr, and Cu) [33]
Summary
Anthropogenic activities such as mining and smelting of metal ores have increased the prevalence and occurrence of heavy metal contamination at the Earth’s surface. Soil and water resources have been contaminated with heavy metals by the process of mining and smelting activities throughout the world [1]. In the former, soils around ore can be polluted by metal mine mining due to mineral action in soil under the reaction with environmental factors like water, air and heat for a very long time; caused by leaching during piling of mining waste rock, and by leakage of mining wastewater containing high level of heavy metals [2]. Some governmental and regional institutions are devoting increased attention to soil pollution problems, and assessing the essential ecological functions and ecosystem services of soils in terrestrial environments [5]
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