Environmental Risk Assessment of Metals in the Volcanic Soil of Changbai Mountain.

Qing Ma,Kaiwei Li,Jiquan Zhang,Yichen Zhang,Si Alu,Aru Han,Qiuling Lang,Yongbin Bao,Lina Han,Fengxu Li

doi:10.3390/ijerph16112047

Abstract

Tianchi volcano is a dormant active volcano with a risk of re-eruption. Volcanic soil and volcanic ash samples were collected around the volcano and the concentrations of 21 metals (major and trace elements) were determined. The spatial distribution of the metals was obtained by inverse distance weight (IDW) interpolation. The metals’ sources were identified and their pollution levels were assessed to determine their potential ecological and human health risks. The metal concentrations were higher around Tianchi and at the north to the west of the study area. According to the geo-accumulation index (Igeo), enrichment factor (EF) and contamination factor (CF) calculations, Zn pollution was high in the study area. Pearson’s correlation analysis and principal component analysis showed that with the exception of Fe, Mn and As, the metals that were investigated (Al, K, Ca, Na, Mg, Ti, Cu, Pb, Zn, Cr, Ni, Ba, Ga, Li, Co, Cd, Sn, Sr) were mostly naturally derived. A small proportion of Li, Pb and Zn may have come from vehicle traffic. There is no potential ecological risk and non-carcinogenic risk because of the low concentrations of the metals; however, it is necessary to pay attention to the carcinogenic risk of Cr and As in children.

Highlights

Volcanic activity is evidence of the dynamic behaviour of the earth’s interior and a manifestation of intense crustal movement [1]
Because organic matter has a high affinity for metals [50], these results indicate that the soil has a strong ability to accumulate metals [51]
The concentrations of Fe, K, Na, Mn, Pb, Zn, As and Sn were high near Tianchi, and the concentrations of Ca, Mg, Ti, Cu, Cr, Ni, Ba, Co and Sr were high at the west to the north of the study area

Summary

Introduction

Volcanic activity is evidence of the dynamic behaviour of the earth’s interior and a manifestation of intense crustal movement [1]. Pyroclastic materials have formed soils with unique physical, chemical and mineralogical properties, such as low bulk density, large water storage and high phosphate retention [4]. As the main component of biogeochemical system, is the source and sink of various types of pollutants [5]. It plays an important role in the storage and circulation of pollutants [6]. Pedological processes are influenced by many factors, including environmental conditions and parent rock properties [4].

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