Environmental Background Values of Heavy Metals and Physicochemical Properties in Different Soils in Shenzhen

Abstract

Research on the characteristics of environmental background values of soil can provide a scientific basis for setting regional standards for soils. To determine the characteristics of environmental background values and main influencing factors of heavy metals (Cr, Cu, Zn, Ni, Pb, Co, V, Cd, and Hg) in soils in Shenzhen, 500 topsoil samples (0-20 cm) were collected by decision unit multi increment sampling (DUMS) from 500 soil background sites in the whole city, including 405 latosolic red soil, 77 red soil, and 18 yellow soil samples. The results show that the concentrations of heavy metals in red soil are relatively low in general, and those of Cr, Ni, Co, and V in latosolic red soil and Cu, Zn, Hg, Pb, and Cd in yellow soil are higher. Compared with the environmental background values of soil in the Seventh Five-year Plan of China in 1980s, the concentrations of Cr, Cu, Zn, Ni, Co, and V in latosolic red soil, red soil, and yellow soil are lower, the concentrations of Cd and Hg are similar, and the concentration of Pb is higher. The spatial distribution patterns of the nine heavy metals are significantly different. Pb, Zn, and Co present an obvious zonal distribution pattern, while Cr, Cu, Ni, V, Cd, and Hg present a point-like distribution pattern. Moreover, the correlation analysis between heavy metal content and physicochemical properties of different soils showed that the correlation between heavy metal content and physicochemical properties of latosolic red soil was the most significant. Stepwise regression analysis was used to elucidate the relationship between heavy metal content in latosolic red soil, and physicochemical properties were quantified. The physicochemical properties affecting heavy metal content in latosolic red soil were found to be mechanical composition, pH, organic matter, and cation exchange capacity.