Source Identification of Heavy Metals in Surface Paddy Soils Using Accumulated Elemental Ratios Coupled with MLR.

Jie Ma,Yali Chen,Zhongbin Liao,Yongtao Li,Hao Peng,Liping Weng

doi:10.3390/ijerph18052295

Abstract

Source identification of heavy metals in agricultural soils using small sample sizes, simple experimental procedures, and convenient analysis is urgently required. This study employed a simple source identification model using a visual comparison via radar plots, cluster analysis, principal component analysis, and a multiple linear regression model to determine the source of heavy metal pollution in soil samples from the Chang-Zhu-Tan urban agglomeration area of China. The elemental compositions of major pollution sources (atmospheric deposition, organic fertilizer, irrigation water, and tailings) were compared with soil samples from 11 study locations and the model was used to determine the relative contribution of different pollution sources at each sample site. The results showed that the model successfully calculated the contribution of different pollution sources at each site based on the pollution characteristics and contaminant transport rules of the region. The proposed method overcomes the requirement for extensive data and complex experimental procedures. Furthermore, the model can determine the source of heavy metal contamination in single or small plots, which is important for the prevention and control of heavy metal soil pollution and remediation at the plot scale.

Highlights

IntroductionHeavy metal-contaminated soil is a serious environmental issue [1] that can threaten soil ecosystems, water reservoirs, and human health [2]
The results showed that soil organic matter, measured in terms of the application of organic fertilizer, sewage sludge, and other organic materials, had a strong relationship with heavy metals such as Pb, Cd, Cr, Zn, Cu, and Sb, which are of an anthropogenic origin, whereas elements such as Mn, Ca, and Mg mainly originated from lithogenic sources [50]
The concentrations of all heavy metals were higher in surface soils compared to deep soils

Summary

Introduction

Heavy metal-contaminated soil is a serious environmental issue [1] that can threaten soil ecosystems, water reservoirs, and human health [2]. Sources of heavy metals in soils can be natural or anthropogenic. Derived heavy metals are mainly controlled by geological parent materials [3], while anthropogenic sources may enter the soil through atmospheric deposition, activities related to mining, fertilizer application, or sewage irrigation. Atmospheric deposition and the application of organic fertilizer are the primary causes of heavy metal pollution in soils throughout China [4]; there are many other possible sources. Activities related to mining can cause heavy metal pollution in the area around the mine [5,6]

Methods

Results

Conclusion