Mapping of Cu and Pb Contaminations in Soil Using Combined Geochemistry, Topography, and Remote Sensing: A Case Study in the Le’an River Floodplain, China

Yiyun Chen,Dianfeng Liu,Yang Zhang,Dun Wang,Xiran Li,Yaolin Liu,Yanfang Liu,Yin Gao,Xuesong Kong,Aiwen Lin

doi:10.3390/ijerph9051874

Yiyun Chen, Dianfeng Liu + Show 8 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph9051874

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Abstract

Heavy metal pollution in soil is becoming a widely concerning environmental problem in China. The aim of this study is to integrate multiple sources of data, namely total Cu and Pb contents, digital elevation model (DEM) data, remote sensing image and interpreted land-use data, for mapping the spatial distribution of total Cu and Pb contamination in top soil along the Le’an River and its branches. Combined with geographical analyses and watershed delineation, the source and transportation route of pollutants are identified. Regions at high risk of Cu or Pb pollution are suggested. Results reveal that topography is the major factor that controls the spatial distribution of Cu and Pb. Watershed delineation shows evidence that the streamflow resulting from rainfall is the major carrier of metal pollutants.

Highlights

Accumulated heavy metals in soil could be harmful to human beings from either direct exposure or via food chains [1]
In the west of this region, the topography is relatively flat with elevation around 0–200 m
With 3D maps generated from multi-source data, the potential sources and transportation routes of Cu and Pb pollutants were inferred through visual inspections and field survey records

Summary

Introduction

Accumulated heavy metals in soil could be harmful to human beings from either direct exposure or via food chains [1]. One basic rule of human health risk assessment (HHRA), which is one of the most important tools for the assessment of soil contamination [2], is that the risk of heavy metal pollutants to human health is land-use dependent [3,4]. It is because the land-use types and functions decide the exposure pathway and types of potential risks from contaminations [3]. In areas where the land-use map is unavailable, remote sensing image holds the potential and efficiency in land use interpretation

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