Abstract
In order to understand the heavy metal pollution status and ecological effect in aquatic environment around copper mine areas, seven heavy metals (Cd, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Zn, the Ni, and Pb) in aquatic environments in seven representative copper mine regions were selected from the literature in 2005–2013 for ecological risk assessment by using potential ecological risk index, geoaccumulation index, nemerow index and species sensitivity distribution method (Potential Affected Fraction (PAF) and Multi-Substance PAF (MSPAF)). The results of sediment ecological risk analysis showed that Cd, Cu and Pb were the main pollutants in sediments. The results of species sensitivity distribution analysis showed that the HC5 values (Hazardous Concentration for 5% of species) of seven heavy metals were different with order Zn > Cr > Cd > Pb > Cu > Ni > Hg. The MSPAF of seven copper mines in the following order with species sensitivity distribution method was as follows: Dabaoshan (99%) = Dahongshan (99%) = Baiyin (99%) > Dexing (97%) > Jinchuan (92%) > Tongling (39%) > Daye (24%). This study analyzes the impact of copper mining on the aquatic environment, and the results of this study will be great value for the comprehensive pollution governance of mining.
Highlights
In recent years, with the improvement of China’s industrial level, the development of the mining industry has accelerated
K where x is the measured concentration of pollutant. multi-substance potentially affected fraction (MSPAF) is the proportion of hazardous species caused by multiple pollutants, which can reflect the combined pollution caused by multiple pollutants in water
When Wang et al [43] studied the groundwater of Dahongshan, they found that the heavy metals in the groundwater would enter the river water through the way of lateral recharge of the river
Summary
With the improvement of China’s industrial level, the development of the mining industry has accelerated. Res. Public Health 2020, 17, 4315 history reflect human activity, natural environment interactions, and the transition and enrichment of heavy metals in the river ecosystem. From the perspective of risk management and control, the wastewater from mining harms the surrounding water environment, and poses systemic risks to the ecological structure and human health [19]. A large number of studies have shown that solid waste and wastewater from copper mining have posed serious harm to the river ecosystem [20,21,22]. This paper selected typical copper mines in China as research objects, and studied the distribution characteristics, ecological risks and species sensitivity distribution of seven heavy metal elements including Cd, Cu, Zn, Hg, Pb, Cr and Ni in water and sediments. This study provides (1) a theoretical and scientific basis for the heavy metal pollution control project in the surrounding water bodies of the mine, and (2) support for the ecological risk management of the surrounding water bodies of the mine
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