Migration and Source Analysis of Heavy Metals in Vertical Soil Profiles of the Drylands of Xiamen City

Abstract

The concentrations of eight heavy metal elements (V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Sr, and Pb) and the isotopic composition of Pb and Sr were determined in vertical soil profiles of the drylands of Xiamen City using ICP-MS and TIMS. The vertical distributions and leaching migration patterns of the heavy metals were also analyzed. The results showed that most of the heavy metals (except for Sr) were not enriched relative background values at most profile depths, which indicated that heavy metal content is less affected by exogenous sources. The migration coefficients of Sr were greater than 0 throughout the entire soil profile; Zn and Co were enriched in the surface soil; and Cr, Ni, and Cu were depleted throughout the profile. V and Pb were less influenced by external activities. Sr and Pb showed clear vertical migration characteristics, and the migration depth of Sr was greater than that of Pb. Factor analysis showed that the heavy metals mainly originated from natural sources, followed by agricultural activities, transportation, and other complex anthropogenic activities. Enrichment factor analysis showed that Sr was affected by exogenous sources to varying extents. The isotopic composition analysis of Pb and Sr showed that Pb was mainly derived from the parent material, whereas Sr was interpreted as deriving from both the parent material and anthropogenic activities, and tended to migrate to the subsurface soil horizons (30-70 cm).