Tracing Sources of Heavy Metals in the Soil Profiles of Drylands by Multivariate Statistical Analysis and Lead Isotope

Abstract

Two profile soils in drylands of Xiamen City were collected and 26 kinds of heavy metals were determined by ICP-MS. The distribution characteristics, environmental risk and pollution sources of heavy metals in soil profiles were studied. The results of Nemero comprehensive pollution index method, the geological accumulation index method and potential ecological hazard index method indicated that Cd was the main pollution factor in the drylands of Xiamen City; the soil pollution was serious in 50-60 cm depth. Multivariate statistical analysis showed that the main sources of heavy metals were the compound pollution of agricultural production activities and natural resources, and the main pollution factor Cd was from agricultural production. Composition of acid-extractable Pb isotopic ratios in soil profiles and potential pollution sources were analyzed. The results showed that Pb in soil profiles was from sludge and parent material. The contribution rates of the two sources in the soil profiles by ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb-²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb were calculated by using the two mixed models. In the two profiles, parent material contribution rates were 54.36% and 42.88%, and sludge contribution rates were 45.64% and 57.12%, respectively. The main sources of lead of drylands in Xiamen were parent material and sludge, which was consistent with the results of the multivariate statistical analysis.