Sources Of Heavy Metal Pollution Research Articles

Heavy metal pollution levels, source apportionment and risk assessment in dust storms in key cities in Northwest China

In this study, the potential hazards of heavy metals in dust storms were investigated by collecting dust storm samples, measuring their heavy metal concentrations, and using index evaluation, spatial analysis, positive matrix factorization (PMF) model and risk assessment model. Heavy metals in dust storms were contaminated by anthropogenic sources leading to their concentrations being higher than the background values. The enrichment factors and geoaccumulation indices showed that the heavy metals came from both natural and anthropogenic sources, Cu, Ni, Zn and Pb are strongly influenced by anthropogenic sources. Heavy metals in dust storms were divided into four sources: Cu and Ni were attributed to industrial sources mainly from local mining and metal processing; Cr was mainly contributed by industrial sources related to industrial production such as coal combustion; Pb and Zn were mainly contributed by transportation sources; and Ti, V, Mn, Fe, and As were from natural and agricultural sources. The level of comprehensive ecological risk of heavy metals in dust storms were low, but there were moderate and above risks at individual sites. Both adults and children had the highest carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks from the ingestion route, and the risk for children was higher than that for adults.

Using multivariate statistical analysis in assessment of surface water quality and identification of heavy metal pollution sources in Sarough watershed, NW of Iran.

The Sarough watershed in NW Iran hosts a large amount of mineral occurrences and ore deposits which may be considered as the source of heavy metals in the region. The area has been studied previously; however, the methodology of this paper was less focused on previous studies. This study aimed to assess water quality, determine the spatial distribution pattern, and identify the sources of heavy metals in the main tributaries of Sarough watershed using pollution indexes, multivariate statistical methods, and processing data by geographic information system. Totally, 51 water samples were collected along the main rivers to determine the concentrations of heavy metals by ICP-MS. Regarding the drinking water, agriculture, and freshwater aquatic life guidelines, the rivers were assumed unsafe considering most of toxic elements' content, especially As. The mean values for heavy metal pollution indexes (HPI: 237.32) and metal indexes (MI: 25.37) indicated the intensive heavy metal pollution. The cluster analysis categorized the 51 sampling sites into four clusters with respect to pollution level. The results obtained from the Kruskal-Wallis and multiple comparison tests had the harmony with the results of CA in introducing the most impacted sampling sites and the parameters responsible for water quality degradation. The results of PCA showed the maximum similarity between As, Sb, Se, Fe, and Mn as well as base metals which was attributed to anthropogenic input from mining and mineral processing wastes. Association of Cr and Ni may suggest a lithology source (weathering of metamorphosed ultramafic outcrops). The maps prepared in the GIS system showed the spatial distribution pattern of toxic elements with maximum values nearby mining sites which decreases gradually toward downstream areas. Finally, the results showed that the Sarough River and its tributaries are influenced by high concentrations of heavy metals from the drainages of mining and ore processing sites and naturally occurring metal loadings as well as the geogenic sources such as weathering of geologic formations and hot springs.

RETRACTED ARTICLE: Spatial distribution of heavy metals in groundwater based on structural equation and development of leisure agriculture tourism

This paper mainly from the structural equation through conventional measurement and visual measurement model, analyzes the relationship between groundwater heavy metals and it, to establish the measurement model on the spatial distribution of groundwater heavy metals influencing factor model, analyzes the influence effect of various indicators on the spatial distribution of groundwater heavy metals, and their mutual influence effect. However, due to many characteristics of heavy metal groundwater, long-term use and management, it has become the research focus in the field of potential environmental protection, and has become an indispensable part of this study. Heavy metal pollution in groundwater not only endangers the safety of ecosystem, but also seriously damages the health of residents. A typical integration area between urban and rural areas is selected to understand the current situation of heavy metal pollution in groundwater, analyze the spatial distribution characteristics of heavy metal ions, and conduct qualitative and quantitative research on heavy metal pollution sources in groundwater, which has important theoretical and practical value for promoting urban sprawl, It also provides a scientific basis for the local government to formulate the strategy of protecting water resources. Of course, this problem also has a certain impact on leisure agricultural tourism, and leisure agricultural tourism is one of the important ways to promote the structural adjustment of agricultural sector and increase farmers’ income, which is also an important practical process of developing multifunctional agriculture. In this paper, through structural equation analysis of underground heavy metal factor model, to understand its impact on leisure agricultural tourism, promote the development of leisure agricultural tourism.

Tracing the source of heavy metal pollution in water sources of Tourist Attractions Based on GIS remote sensing

To effectively prevent heavy metal pollution in water sources in tourist attractions, clarify the degree of control of heavy metal pollution sources, and improve the accuracy of tracing results, a GIS-based remote sensing method of heavy metal pollution in tourist attractions is proposed. Using GIS spatial analysis method, the DEM elevation data monitored by remote sensing is obtained, the watershed geographic information is compiled, and the GPS obtains the longitude and latitude coordinates to locate the source of heavy metal pollution. The plug-in application framework is designed, and the watershed geographic information and plug-in application framework are integrated to build the pollution tracing platform. According to the mixing direction of pollutants after entering the water source, the migration and diffusion coordinate system of heavy metal pollution in the water source is established. The spatial-temporal distribution function model of heavy metal pollutants in water sources is constructed through the migration, transformation, and concentration of heavy metal pollutants in water sources. The tracing results of heavy metal pollution in water sources of scenic spots are obtained. The results showed that the order of variation coefficient of heavy metal pollution elements was Cr > Cd > Cu > Ni > Zn > Pb. The spatial distribution of heavy metal pollution elements was extremely uneven. There was a certain positive correlation between Ni and Cr, and the correlation coefficient of Cu and Zn was 0.78. The positive correlation was very significant, and the homology was very strong. Moreover, the identification result of the proposed method is very close to the real value, which can accurately trace the source of heavy metal pollution in the water source of tourist attractions, with small tracing error and high accuracy of tracing result evaluation.

The combinations of sulfur and molybdenum fertilizations improved antioxidant capacity of grazing Guizhou semi-fine wool sheep under copper and cadmium stress

Mineral development and metal smelting are the main sources of heavy metal pollution, and copper (Cu) and cadmium (Cd) are the most serious mineral elements in heavy metal pollution. Food chain is the main channel for Cu and Cd to enter human body. Excessive accumulation of Cu and Cd can lead to a variety of diseases and threaten human health. Therefore, it is urgent to repair Cu and Cd-contaminated soil. Previous several studies found that sulfur (S) and molybdenum (Mo) had the effect of alleviating the decrease of antioxidant capacity caused by heavy metal poisoning. To investigate the co-combinations of S and Mo fertilizations on antioxidant capacity of grazing Guizhou semi-fine wool sheep in Cu and Cd-contaminated meadow, and explore the control methods of co-pollutions of Cu and Cd in natural pastures, fertilizing and grazing experiments were carried out in the Wumeng Prairie in the northwest of Guizhou Province, Southwest China. 24 hm2 Cu and Cd-polluted meadows were fenced, and were randomly divided into four groups with 3 replications per group and 2 hm2 per replication. The tested groups included the control group (no fertilizer) and the three treatment groups, applied 40 kg S + 1 kg Mo, 80 kg S + 2 kg Mo, and 120 kg S + 3 kg Mo per hectare for group I, group II, and group III, respectively. 72 healthy Guizhou semi-fine wool sheep (one year old, 33.9 ± 1.2 kg) were randomly assigned to the tested pastures with 18 sheep per group. The grazing experiment lasted for 60 days. The results showed that the contents of Mn, Zn, Mo, and S in herbage in fertilized pastures were higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). The content of Cu in herbage in fertilized pastures was lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05). The contents of Mn, Zn, Mo, and S in serum of grazing Guizhou semi-fine wool sheep were higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). The content of Cu in serum of grazing Guizhou semi-fine wool sheep was lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05). The levels of blood Hb, RBC, and PCV, and the activities of serum SOD, GSH-Px, T-AOC, CAT, and Cp in group Ⅲ were higher than that in the control group, group Ⅰ, and group Ⅱ (P < 0.05). The MDA content of sheep in group Ⅲ was lower than that in the other treatment sheep (P < 0.05). In summary, the combinations of S and Mo fertilizers influenced the mineral contents in herbage and serum of grazing Guizhou semi-fine wool sheep. The combinations of 120 kg S + 3 kg Mo fertilizer reduced the toxicity and improved antioxidant capacity of grazing Guizhou semi-fine wool sheep in Cu and Cd-polluted grasslands.

Identifying the Source of Heavy Metal Pollution and Apportionment in Agricultural Soils Impacted by Different Smelters in China by the Positive Matrix Factorization Model and the Pb Isotope Ratio Method

In this study, the agricultural soil around Zhuzhou Smelter in Zhuzhou district, Hunan, China and Huludao Zinc Plant in Huludao district, Liaoning, China was selected as the research area to discuss the current situation of heavy metal pollution in the surrounding agricultural soil caused by different smelting plants for soil environmental management and sustainable development of soil resources. Eight elements’ (Cd, Pb, As, Hg, Cr, Ni, Cu, and Zn) contents were measured to assess their pollution risk level and spatial distribution distinction. Correlation analysis, the positive matrix factorization (PMF), and Pb isotope ratio method were employed to analyze the sources of soil heavy metal pollution in the research area. The contents of Cd, Pb, Hg, and Zn in the soil of the two research areas were seriously polluted, and the changes of their spatial content were related to the migration and sedimentation of the smelter waste gas. Four types of pollution sources, including the smelting source, agricultural sources, natural sources, and mixed sources of industrial activity and traffic were identified in both areas by PMF, and the contribution rates of the four pollution sources in both areas were similar. Taking the agricultural soil around Huludao Zinc Plant as an example, the contribution rates of the different pollution sources analyzed by Pb isotope ratio method were the lead smelting source (43.7%), followed by the agricultural source (34.6%), traffic source (14.2%), and natural source (7.5%), which were basically consistent with that of PMF analysis, verifying the reliability of the two methods. The results above showed that the smelters were the main cause of heavy metal pollution in agricultural soils around the two research areas, and the analysis results of element content ratio and smelting source characteristic element contribution rate ratio could provide reference for the analysis of heavy metal pollution in agricultural soil around smelters for soil pollution control decision making.

Environmental contamination by heavy metals and associated human health risk assessment: a case study of surface water in Gomti River Basin, India.

The aim of the present study was to assess the status of heavy metal contamination and health risks associated withthe use of water from River Gomti by millions of people. The value of the degree of contamination (Cd) was found to be '11.93', signifying 'high' risk levels due to heavy metal contamination in River Gomti across an approximate stretch of 61 km including upstream, midstream, and downstream locations of Lucknow city. The potential sources of heavy metal pollution in River Gomti include both sewage and industrial effluents, being transported by drains which overflow into the river. The heavy metals were found to have low mobility owing to the 'near neutral' pH of river water. The findings from the human health risk assessment revealed that the hazard index associated with non-carcinogenic risks exceeded the permissible limits at all sampling stations. The highest health risk was found at Bharwara sewage treatment plant discharge point, downstream of Lucknow city signifying the elevated levels of heavy metal in the river water post treatment from Bharwara STP. The results of carcinogenic risk assessment suggested that children were more susceptible to health risks, and immediate remedial measures are required to control the elevated levels of heavy metals at all the sampling stations.

Source Apportionment of Heavy Metal Pollution in Agricultural Soils around the Poyang Lake Region Using UNMIX Model

Rapid urbanization and industrialization have caused the continuous discharge of heavy metals into the soils of China’s Poyang Lake region, where they pose a major threat to human health. Yet, the spatial characteristics of these heavy metals in farmland soils and their pollution sources in this region remain unclear. This study was conducted to document the pollution caused by heavy metals in the Poyang Lake region through sampling that consisted of the collection of 215 soil samples from agricultural fields. The UNMIX model provided identification of the sources causing heavy metal pollution and source contributions to soil pollution. ArcGIS was used to study the spatial distribution of the eleven heavy metals and to validate the apportionment of pollution sources provided by the UNMIX model. Soil concentrations of heavy metals were above the local background concentrations. The average content of eight heavy metals, including Cd, Mo, Zn, Cu, Sb, W, Pb, and Ni, was approximately 1–6 times greater than natural background levels (6.91, 2.0, 1.67, 1.53, 1.23, 1.38, 1.11, and 1.24, respectively), while the average content of V, Cr, and Co was lower than natural background levels. The average contents of Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb were all lower than the screening levels for unacceptable risks in agricultural land soils. The percentage of Cd content exceeded the risk screening value in all sampling sites, up to 55%, indicating that agricultural soils may significantly be affected by cadmium contamination. Five pollution sources of heavy metals were identified: natural sources, copper mine tailings, agricultural activities, atmospheric depositions, and industrial activities. The contribution rates of the pollution sources were 7%, 13%, 20%, 29%, and 31%, respectively. The spatial pattern of heavy metals was closely aligned with the outputs of the UNMIX model. The foregoing supports the utility of the UNMIX model for the identification of pollution sources of heavy metals, apportionment study, and its implementation in agricultural soils in the Poyang Lake region.

Using the Matter-Element Extension Model to Assess Heavy Metal Pollution in Topsoil in Parks in the Main District Park of Lanzhou City

The UNMIX model was used to analyze the source of heavy metals found to be present in the topsoil of parks in the main district of Lanzhou City. The Hakanson toxicity response coefficient was used concurrently to modify the traditional weights in the model, and the matter-element extension model was used to evaluate heavy metal pollution. The results of the evaluation were compared with the comprehensive pollution index (PN) and potential ecological risk index (RI). The results were as follows. ①The average heavy metal content in the topsoil at each sampling point was higher than that of the background value of soil in Lanzhou, with the proportion of Ni, Cu, and Co being 100% while the proportion of Cr, V, Pb, and As contents were 58.82%, 14.71%, 20.59%, and 2.94%, respectively. ② The results of source analysis showed that there were three major sources of heavy metal pollution in the topsoil of the parks in the study area. Source 1 is construction pollution, which contributes 56% of the Co present. Source 2 is traffic pollution, which contributes 44% and 52% of Cu and Pb, respectively. Source 3 is natural, and contributes 62%, 60%, 56%, and 56% of V, Cr, Ni, and As, respectively. Thus, this research showed that natural sources are predominant. ③ The weight correction effect for each heavy metal was significant; there was an approximately 44% reduction in both Cr and V, while the corrected weights of Ni, Cu, Pb, As, and Co increased in the order Co < Pb < Cu < Ni < As compared with the conventional weights. The most obvious change in weight was that of As, which increased by approximately 188%. ④ The results of the evaluation using the matter-element model showed that the state of 46% of the topsoil in the parks in the study area was grade Ⅴ (severely polluted), while 41% was grade Ⅳ (moderately polluted) and 3% was grade Ⅲ (lightly polluted); Co was the main pollutant. The results of the model evaluation were roughly the same as of from the PN and RI, indicating that the matter-element extension model can be used to evaluate heavy metal pollution in soil and the evaluation results are accurate and objective.

ASSESSMENT OF HEAVY METAL CONCENTRATION IN MARINE SEDIMENTS IN TERENGGANU WATERS

The distribution of heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb) in surface sediments was examined in waters off the coast of Marang, Terengganu. A total of 20 samples were collected using Ponar grab and analysed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer after closed digestion with acid. The sediments were filtered using a dry sieving method to determine their particle size. The spatial distribution maps on the concentration of selected metals were drawn using the ArcGIS software. Results showed that the average concentration of Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb were 2.33±0.38 μg/g dry weight, 28.4±3.78 μg/g dry weight, 0.09±0.01 μg/g dry weight and 8.35±1.48 μg/g dry weight, respectively. The level of pollution was also evaluated using the Index of Geoaccumulation (Igeo) and Pollution Load Index (PLI). All Igeo and PLI values obtained were low, which indicated low or no pollution. Meanwhile, the sediment mean size ranged between -0.77Ø and 3.18Ø, which characterised a sandy type of sediment. Correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between the heavy metals and sediment size. The results indicated that there was a common source of heavy metal pollution in the study area, possibly from shipping activities. Overall, there was no significant heavy metal pollution in the waters off Marang. This finding is important as the data could be used to evaluate the risk of metal contamination and the impact of anthropogenic activities on the marine environment.

Heavy metal content in the leaves of Crassocephalum crepidioides due to the application of various types of manure

In Indonesia, vegetable farmers use manure to increase production. In fact, one of the sources of heavy metal pollution on agricultural land is the use of manure. This study, therefore, aims to determine the content of heavy metals in the leaves of Crassocephalum crepidioides, due to fertilization, involving the use of several types of manure. Furthermore, it is possible to apply the results in the establishment of dose limiting policies for vegetable crops, in an attempt to prevent dangers to the consumer. The tested sources consisted of chicken, goat, and cow manure, as well as a control (without manure), and each was applied at a dose of 20 tons/Ha. Meanwhile, the third leaf of the upper part of the plant was analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS), to determine Cu, Pb, Zn and Cd. The results showed the leaves of Crassocephalum crepidioides fertilized with 20 tons/Ha of chicken manure, goat manure and cattle manure had low heavy metal (below the set threshold of 50, 100-400, and 5-30 ppm for Pb, Zn and Cd, respectively). However, at a dose of 20 tons/Ha, the leaves pastored with goat and cow manure had a high content of Cu (209.78 and 530.90 ppm) than control and chicken manure (67,92 and 92,68 ppm), which are higher than the established threshold. Meanwhile, those fertilized with chicken compost, had better area and plant height value, compared to the goat and cow sources.

Seasonal variation of heavy metal accumulation in environment and fishes from the Cirebon coast, Indonesia

Abstract Contamination by dangerous heavy metal in the estuarine environment has risen with concern to the safety of coastal fish as seafood. Anthropogenic emission in the coastal areas becomes the primary source of heavy metal pollution in the aquatic environment, which then accumulates in fish species. Therefore, marine fish has a potency to be used as a bioindicator for heavy metals contamination in the coastal environment, since it may vary, as the results of marine hydrodynamics. This research presents seasonal variations (west monsoon, east monsoon, and intermediate monsoon) of heavy metals accumulation in fish from the coastal region of Cirebon, Indonesia. Three types of economic fish (Scatopagus argus, Siganus canaliculatus, and Nibea albifor) were taken, and the heavy metals (Cr, Co, Cu, As, Cd, Hg, and Pb) content were examined by inductively coupled plasma - mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The results showed a significant difference (p&amp;lt;0.05) of seasonal variation of heavy metals concentration in seawater and sediment. The contamination in seawater was higher during the east monsoon season, while the contamination in sediment was higher during the west monsoon season. The observation was also revealed variation on heavy metals accumulation in fish species. However, this study found no significant correlation (p&amp;gt;0.05) between the concentration of heavy metals in the environment and fish. Consequently, precaution is needed when using fish as a bioindicator for heavy metals contamination in coastal environments.

Floristic surveys of some lowlands polluted of a tropical urban area: the case of Yaounde, Cameroon

Lowlands of Yaounde, Cameroon are facing soil pollution due to all type of organic and inorganic wastes, particularly heavy metal due to anthropogenic activities. Identifying macrophytes species able to develop on heavy metal polluted soils remains an essential step in the phytoremediation process which used living green plants. In this study, floristic surveys using the quadrat method were conducted in lowland areas surrounded by heavy metal pollution sources activities of Yaounde to identify macrophytes species with phytoremediation capacities. Inventories were conducted in 11 polluted lowlands and results were compared to control which is an unpolluted area. A total of 189 species belonging to 138 genera distributed in 63 families were identified on polluted sites. Macrophytes diversity was higher in each polluted site compared to the control. Poaceae, Asteraceae, Fabaceae, Malvaceae, and Solanaceae families showed a higher taxonomic richness on polluted sites (23, 20, 14, 12, and 12 taxa, respectively). Shannon diversity index of the lowlands polluted sites 2.69 was significantly higher than the control 2.3. Pielou equitability index in contaminated sites (0.459–0.847) was not significantly different from the control 0.747. Based on the abundance and relative frequency (≥10%), our results show that more than 10 macrophytes species existing in these lowlands areas could be tested in preliminary trials to investigate their phytoremediation/cleaning-up capacities on polluted soils in the tropical zone. Novelty and impacts of the submission This study presents original results for field surveys in lowland sites polluted in Yaounde-Cameroon. The screening of 11 polluted lowlands compared to a natural lowland (unpolluted), made it possible to identify species which may exhibit the best capacities to adapt to environmental changes and to develop in contaminated areas, in particular heavy metals. This work can be a preliminary study around the species growing in contaminated lowlands. Thus, this study can be reproduced in other regions, to compare the results obtained and identify potential plants for the lowlands remediation in Cameroon.

Study on heavy metal pollution in soil by electronic information processing

In order to deeply analyze the influencing factors and main sources of soil heavy metal pollution in Huangdao District of Qingdao, 35 soil samples collected from the electronic information area of Haier Industrial Park and Aokema Industrial Park in Huangdao District were selected as the research objects, and the significant biological toxicity of Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Zn, As in the soil samples were analyzed and the result shows that the variation coefficients of Cr and Ni were examined high, which indicated that the pollutants mainly came from the production and processing activities in the electronic information area. Besides, in accordance with the soil risk assessment level, the analysis of heavy metal pollution status and human health risks of the site in the electronic information area were accomplished and also alarmingly conveyed an obvious risk carcinogenic grade of Cr and As with the “hand-mouth exposure” as the transmission routine of the highest carcinogenic risk level, which urges us to be vigilant.

The use of fractal theory to study the sources of soil Cd and Pb pollution in Youjiang River Basin

Fractal theory can be applied to study the complexity of spatial structures in nature, and operates by extracting the deterministic parameters driving complex processes. However, to date there has been little reported application of fractal theory to the analysis of the sources of soil heavy metal pollution. This study aimed to determine the sources of heavy metal accumulation in the shallow soil of the Youjiang River Basin. A total of 71 shallow soil samples were collected across an area of 1,000 km2 for the analysis of Cd and Pb to determine the spatial distribution of heavy metal pollution in the basin. The fractal characteristics of Cd and Pb for the eastern, central and western parts of the study area were analyzed using a content-frequency fractal model. The results showed that the content-frequency fractal distributions of Cd and Pb in the area were similar and multifractal. Linear models described the three different groupings of the sample points well with a scattering of several high points, indicating a chaotic distribution of high-content Cd and Pb areas. Two linear models similarly could describe the fractal distributions of these two elements in the eastern part of the study area, with a scattering of several high-value points, whereas although the fractal distributions of the central and western parts of the study area also showed linear distributions, the linear fit for the western part of the study area was slightly worse. The fractal distributions indicated that the spatial distributions of soil Cd and Pb show several trends, which indicates the influence of multiple geochemical processes. When combined with regional industrial and mining enterprises and high density population, the fractal Cd and Pb distributions infer that soil Cd and Pb in the area originate from the same sources, and four major geochemical process are responsible for the distribution of Pb and Cd: 1) the soil formation process; 2) modern agricultural production; 3) industrial sources and dense population; 4) aluminum resources development and utilization. Among these, exploitation and utilization of aluminum resources is the most complex, resulting in a chaotic distribution of Cd and Pb.

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

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.

Effect of different vegetation on copper accumulation of copper-mine abandoned land in tongling, China

Mining activity and abandoned mine land are one of the major sources of heavy metal pollution. Thus, ecological rehabilitation of abandoned mine lands is crucial to control heavy metal pollution. This research aims to explore the influencing factors and effects of different vegetation on copper (Cu) accumulation and soil amelioration. In this study, the abandoned land of Tongguanshan Cu mine in Tongling city, Anhui province, China, was chosen as the test area, and nine sampling points were established. Samples of soil and plants were collected from each plot, and the impacts of Cu pollution on soil enzymes and other features were analyzed, as well as the correlation between Cu accumulation of different plants and soil properties. The results showed that Cu content of soil in the Tongguanshan area varied greatly with the depth of the soil profile. Moreover, Cu in the soil can inhibit soil enzyme activities; and the correlation coefficients of total soil Cu with urease and catalase were −0.83 and −0.73, respectively. Clearly, the accumulation of Cu in plants was positively correlated with Cu content in soil. It was found that Pueraria lobata had the best remediation effect on soil Cu pollution in a short period of time. Hence the preliminary tests clearly indicate that phytoremediation in abandoned mine lands can not only reduce heavy metal pollution, but also enhance soil nutrition and enzyme activity, helping to ameliorate degraded land and promote regional socioeconomic sustainable development.

Source apportionment of heavy metals in sediments and soils in an interconnected river-soil system based on a composite fingerprint screening approach

Heavy metal pollution has been a global concern and key points of environmental pollution prevention and control due to the growing problems of urbanization and industrialization. Rapidly and correctly apportioning sources of heavy metal is still a great challenge because of the stability of source fingerprint and complex interaction of multiple contaminants and sources. In this study, we perform a combination of optimization of pollution source fingerprint and source apportionment through jointly utilizing two machine classification and screening methods for characterizing the pollution sources of heavy metal in the sediments of an urban river and its surrounding soils. Dominance-based rough set model (DRS), content optimization tools, and multivariate curve resolution-alternating least squares model (MCR-WALS) were employed to screen representative pollution source samples, optimize pollution source fingerprint, and apportion the potential sources of heavy metals, respectively. Further, Support vector machine (SVM) was adopted to correspondence analysis results and pollution fingerprint based on the factor characteristics for achieving source apportionment accurately. Results showed that the pollution source pollution source fingerprints optimized by DRS and optimization tools are more representative and stable, and the results obtained by SVM and MCR-WALS are more accurate comparing with traditional methods. As whole, source apportionment suggested that printing and dyeing, chemical, electroplating, metal processing were the main origins of heavy metals in this area and the proportions of them in sediment and soil pollution sources were 67.05% and 28.43%, respectively. Besides, coal combustion was also the main sources of heavy metal pollution in soils, accounting about 34.16%. Results of the study can advance our knowledge to better understand the characterization of heavy metal pollution in the peri-urban ecosystem and to design effective targeted strategies for reducing heavy metal pollution diffusion.

Identification of Heavy Metal Pollution Source Due to Idol Immersion Activity Across the Cauvery River Basin, Tamil Nadu, South India

Idol immersion activities alter the hydrological parameters of an aquatic body. However, relevant research in the Cauvery river basin in terms of idol immersion activity has been limited. In the present study, a total of 29 water and topsoil samples were collected from the Cauvery basin before and after idol immersion, and evaluated for the presence of metals. The experimental results showed elevated Cd and Pb levels in water and sediment samples of both Cauvery and Kollidam rivers. Strong statistical significance was observed for all the elements studied in the soil samples collected before and after idol immersion (P < 0.01). Industrial effluents, textile waste, untreated sewage, municipal waste and agricultural activities are the most common causes of elevated levels of heavy metals in the study area. Further, geo-accumulation index and pollution load index studies showed lesser impact of idol immersion on metal distribution compared to other sites reported from India. However, strict regulatory policies of the concerned authorities help maintain the quality of the Cauvery basin.

Screening of native plant species for phytoremediation potential in Pb-Zn mines in Iran

Mining activity is one of the major sources of heavy metal pollution of soil. Most mines are abandoned without any remediation and cause contamination of soil and water. Phytoremediation is an environment-friendly technology for the remediation of contaminated sites. In this work, native plant species were identified that can tolerate high concentrations of heavy metals and are useful for phytoremediation in an abandoned Pb-Zn mine in the north of Iran. Twelve plant species and the corresponding soils were collected and analyzed for As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mo, Pb, Sb, Ni and Zn contents using inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS). In order to measure the bioavailability of heavy metals for plants uptake, DTPA extraction of heavy metals were determined. Then, the physiochemical characteristics of the soil samples were measured and the translocation factors (TFs) and bio-concentration factors (BFs) were determined. The soil samples were alkaline, and exhibited low electrical conductivity, high cation-exchange capacity, moderate organic carbon content, and clay loam texture. All samples exceeded the soil toxicity thresholds for AS, Cd, Pb, Sb, and Zn. The results indicate that Stachys byzantina has the ability to accumulate significant amounts of Pb in its shoot. The average concentrations of Pb in the soil, shoot, and root were 15472mg kg-1, 1797 mg kg-1, and 371 mg kg-1,respectively, with TF value of 4.8 and BF value of 0.1. Therefore, S. byzantina may have the potential to function as a Pb hyper-accumulator and merits further investigation.