Risk assessment, spatial distribution, and source identification of heavy metal(loid)s in paddy soils along the Zijiang River basin, in Hunan Province, China

Abstract

This study aimed to reveal spatial distribution of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, V, and Zn in paddy soils in the Zijiang River basin and to evaluate its pollution status and potential ecological risks, and thus to provide basic information for rational utilization of paddy soils in the study area. The heavy metal(loid) concentrations in one hundred and thirty-five paddy soil samples (these samples were collected from the top 0–20 cm layer) were measured by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry. The spatial distribution characteristics of the heavy metal(loid)s were depicted by the Ordinary Kriging interpolation analysis. The contamination degree and potential ecological risks of the heavy metal(loid)s in paddy soils were assessed by Nemerow’s comprehensive index, geoaccumulation index, potential ecological risk factor, and potential ecological risk index. The potential sources of the heavy metal(loid)s were deduced by Pearson’s correlation analysis, hierarchical cluster analysis, and principal component analysis. The mean concentrations of the heavy metal(loid)s decreased in the order of Mn > V ≈ Zn > Cr > Ni ≈ Pb > Cu ≈ Sb > As > Cd. Except for Cd and Sb, the mean concentrations of As, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn were close to the background reference values. The concentration of Cd in 94.8% of samples exceeded the soil quality standard value (grade II, 5.5 < pH < 6.5, GB 15618–1995). According to the assessments of pollution and potential ecological risks for the heavy metal(loid)s, 45.2% and 46.7% of samples were severely polluted and moderately polluted, respectively. The potential sources analysis indicated that Cd, Sb, and Zn mainly originated from agricultural, mining, and smelting activities; As, Cu, and Pb mainly originated from agricultural activities, while coal combustion by-products was another major source of these heavy metal(loid)s in paddy soils near the thermal power plant in the southwest corner of the study area; Cr, V, Mn, and Ni mainly originated from natural source. Cadmium and Sb are the main contaminants in paddy soils in the study area, and there are hot-spot pollution areas.