Heavy Metals In Farmland Soil Research Articles

Characteristics of Modified Biochars and Their Immobilization Effect on Cu and Cd in Polluted Farmland Soil Around Smelter

Heavy metals in farmland soil are one of the most hazardous pollutants in the environment, owing to their universality and irreversibility. Modified biochar has been widely used in the adsorption and immobilization of heavy metals in soil, and its applicability is mainly determined by the types of heavy metals, pollution levels, and soil environmental conditions. Soil pollution is gradually becoming more complex and diversified, and heavy metal pollutants mostly occur in the form of compound pollution. However, most studies have focused on single heavy metal pollutant or the addition of heavy metal to soil. This study used rice straw as a raw material to prepare biochar, and modified it with K3PO4, KMnO4, and NaOH. The physicochemical and structural characteristics of the modified biochars were detected using a BET accelerated surface area and porosimetry system, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and the biochars were then analyzed for the availability and forms of Cd and Cu in soils contaminated with heavy metals in the mining area. The results showed that the surface roughness of the modified biochar increased to different degrees with increases in specific surface area and pore volume, with the NaOH modified biochar showing the most significant increases from 4.96 m2·g-1 to 60.79 m2·g-1, and from 0.02 cm3·g-1 to 0.12 cm3·g-1, respectively. The pore diameter changed in the opposite direction. The absorption peaks of the functional groups of the modified biochar were all changed, with K3PO4 modified biochar exhibiting the greatest degree of change. The addition of biochar significantly improved the soil pH value (P<0.05), and the pH value of the soil treated with K3PO4 modified biochar exhibited the largest increase. With an application of 20.5% K3PO4 modified biochar, the availability of Cu and Cd in the soil was significantly reduced, by 75.44% and 67.70%, respectively. The immobilization efficiency of Cu was much higher than that of Cd. The best immobilization efficiency of Cu and Cd in soil was achieved with K3PO4 modified biochar. With an addition of 2% K3PO4 modified biochar, the immobilization efficiency of Cu and Cd was 61.06% and 4.12%, respectively. In summary, K3PO4 modified biochar had a better immobilization effect on both Cu and Cd in compound contaminated soil.

Pollution Characteristics and Associated Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Farmland Soils From a Typical County of Hubei Province, Central China

Knowledge from the negative impacts of the counties' anthropogenic activities on soil pollution was of great significance in China, and valuable information was urgently needed for the control and remediation of soil pollution. The current pollution levels of heavy metals (Cu, Pb, Cd, Zn, Ni, and Cr) in farmland soils were investigated in Yangxin County, Hubei Province, central China. The comprehensive results of quantitative comparison and evaluation in this study showed that Cu (144.9 ± 298.6mgkg-1), Cd (2.9 ± 1.6mgkg-1), and Ni (137.0 ± 111.0mgkg-1) posed higher pollution risks to public and ecosystem health, which were higher than the corresponding soil background values. The combined results of geostatistics, spatial and statistical analysis indicated that studied heavy metals were mainly attributed to agricultural, traffic and industrial induced pollution. Overall, urgent attention should be paid to the risk reduction and management of soil Cu, Cd, and Ni pollution in the study area.

Ecological risk assessment of heavy metals in farmland soils in Beijing by three improved risk assessment methods.

Beijing, as the capital of China, still has soil pollution problems that cannot be ignored. However, there are few studies on the overall ecological risks of heavy metals in farmland soils in Beijing. This study selected 432 soils and crops heavy metal content data of eight districts in Beijing from academic papers and academic journal papers. In this study, the improved Hakanson method, improved analytic hierarchy process (AHP), and integrated quality impact index (IICQ) comprehensively were used to evaluate the impact of Pb, As, and Cd pollution on the farmland soil environment, and the applicable conditions of these methods were discussed. The results by improved Hakanson method showed that both Pb and As were at the normal ecological risk level, while Cd was the largest contributor to potential ecological risk which accounted for 72.54% of the total risk and is mainly at a moderate ecological risk level. The analysis by improved AHP showed that the average comprehensive index of soil heavy metal pollution in the study area was 0.2317, which was at a light pollution level. The IICQ of soil and agricultural products were between 0 and 1 demonstrating that the soil was clean. In summary, the pollution of heavy metals Pb, As, and Cd in the study area is at a relatively low level, and there is no significant risk to the surrounding environment and human health. IICQ method is suitable for the evaluation of soil heavy metal composition and individual impact and can be more accurately used for the overall ecological evaluation of soil-crop-human health system.

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.

Characteristics of Heavy Metal Pollution in Farmland Soil along the Lancang River in Lincang, Yunnan

Taking the farmland soil along the Lancang River in Lincang as the research object, through soil sampling test and analysis, using single factor evaluation method, Nemeiro comprehensive pollution index method and relative pollution index method, the heavy metals As, Cd, Pb and Zn pollution characteristics and causes in farmland along the Lancang River were analyzed. The results show that according to the national soil environmental quality standards, the Cd in the farmland along the Lancang River in Lincang seriously exceeded the standard on a large scale, followed by Pb and Zn, while As did not exceed the standard; the soil single factor pollution index is Cd>Zn>Pb>As. It shows that the relative pollution indexes of As, Cd, Pb and Zn in farmland soil all exceed the standard, and the exceeding rate is Pb>Zn>Cd>As. The pollution of heavy metals in the soil of the farmland along the Lancang River in Lincang is not only caused by mine development, but also related to its high background value. The pollution of heavy metals in farmland soil along the north river from upstream to downstream has changed significantly. The correlation between the pollution of As, Cd, Pb and Zn in the farmland along the Lancang River in Lincang is significant, the probability of homology is very high, and there is a danger of combined pollution of four heavy metals.

Spatial Variation in Cadmium and Mercury and Factors Influencing Their Potential Ecological Risks in Farmland Soil in Poyang Lake Plain, China

Due to the irreversibility of heavy metal pollution, the presence of heavy metals in farmland soil is associated with severe ecological risks that endanger both the environment and human health. Cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg) are two toxic heavy metals found widely in polluted soil. Cd is not readily fixed in the soil and is therefore easily accumulated by plants, while Hg has a wide range of pollution sources. The aims of this study were to explore the spatial variation in Cd and Hg concentrations in farmland soil in Poyang Lake Plain, China, and to assess their potential ecological risks as influenced by natural and human factors. A total of 283 soil samples were obtained from Fengcheng city, central Jiangxi Province. Data were then analyzed using geostatistics, the potential ecological risk index, Pearson’s correlation analysis, and Geodetector. The results showed moderate variation in soil Cd and Hg concentrations, with a remarkable difference in their spatial distribution. Cd concentrations in the northwest and northeast of Fengcheng were below the regional background level in Jiangxi; in most remaining areas, Cd concentrations were between the regional background level and national risk screening value. Areas with Hg concentrations lower than the regional background level were largely concentrated in the south, east and north of Fengcheng, and gradually increased towards the central, where they exceeded the regional background level but were below the national risk screening value. Overall, the potential ecological risk level of Cd was predominantly low, while that of Hg was moderate. The comprehensive potential ecological risk was low in most areas for both Cd and Hg, with some scattered areas of moderate risk. Moreover, the comprehensive potential ecological risk index of both Cd and Hg was significantly correlated with soil pH, total phosphorous, elevation, distance from a river (p &amp;lt; 0.01), and distance from a road (p &amp;lt; 0.05). The most significant factor influencing the comprehensive potential ecological risk index of these two heavy metals was soil pH of 5.2–5.6, followed by total p ≤ 0.52 mg kg−1. In conclusion, moderate pollution of Cd and Hg occurred in farmland soil in Poyang Lake Plain where their comprehensive potential ecological risk level was generally low and mainly influenced by soil pH and total phosphorous.

The Levels, Sources, and Spatial Distribution of Heavy Metals in Soils from the Drinking Water Sources of Beijing, China

Our study area is the upstream watershed of the Guanting and Miyun Reservoirs; together, these two reservoirs comprise the main drinking water source of Beijing, China. In order to prevent crop contamination and preserve the quality of the water and soil, it is important to investigate the spatial distribution and the sources of the heavy metals in farmland soils on the watershed scale. For this study, we collected 23,851 farmland surface soil samples. Based on our analysis of the concentrations of eight heavy metals in these samples, we found that the overall soil quality in our study area is excellent, but that the Cd, Cu, Zn, and Cr contamination risks are relatively high. Moreover, a percentage of samples exceeded the Cd (1.54%,), Cu (0.28%), Zn (0.25%), Cr (0.13%), Pb (0.09%), As (0.05%), Ni (0.04%), and Hg (0.02%) risk screening values for soil contamination in agricultural land. In addition to determining the spatial distribution characteristics of the heavy metal concentrations of the soil samples, we also conducted a factor analysis and an R cluster analysis (CA) whcih can gathered the similar variables to track the sources of the heavy metals. We found that the Cd, Pb, and Zn are likely sourced from a quartz syenite porphyry body and from coal-fired enterprises, while the Cr, Cu, and Ni contaminations are mainly caused by runoff from iron ore smelting. Additionally, agricultural production contributes to the local accumulation of Cu, and industrial (smelting) discharge is partially responsible for the As contamination. As a result of the atmospheric deposition of pollutants, areas with high Hg concentrations are generally centered on large- and medium-sized cities. Due to these high natural heavy metal background values, the existing and future heavy metal contamination in the watershed poses a serious ecological risk to both the soil and the surface water.

Health risk assessment of heavy metal pollution in farmland downstream of Lead-zinc smelter

In order to investigate whether heavy metals in farmland soils downstream of the abandoned lead-zinc smelter are harmful to local human health, the Plum blossom and diagonal sampling methods were used to collect the soil samples of cultivation layer (0∼25cm) from the farmland soils downstream of the abandoned lead-zinc smelter, Hui County, Gansu province, P. R. China at the end of December, 2019. The US EPA health risk assessment model was used to analyse the impact of the selected five heavy metals (Pb, As, Cr, Hg and Cd) on the physical health of local residents. The results showed that the average value of the total non-carcinogenic risk index of these five heavy metals in the soil of the three plots in the study area was 6.71 for children and 4.27 for adults, both of which were greater than 1, it meant that there were non-carcinogenic risk to both children and adults. The average cancer risk index of these five heavy metals for children was 4.49×10−4, and that for adults was 2.51×10−4, both of which are greater than 1×10−4, which is a notable cancer risk for local residents. The results provided a significant support for remediation and treatment of heavy metal contaminated farmland.

Transfer Factor and Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in a Soil-Crop System in a High Incidence Area of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma, Guangdong

In order to reveal the transfer factor and perform health risk assessments of heavy metals in soil-crop systems in the high incidence area of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in Guangdong province of China, the farmland system of Sihui City in the high incidence area of NPC was selected as the research object, and rice, lettuce, and corresponding soil samples were collected. As, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Cd in the soil and crop samples were analyzed. Based on the contents and chemical forms of seven heavy metals, the environmental pollution, bioavailability, and transfer factors of heavy metals in the soil-crop system were assessed using statistical analyses, pollution index evaluations, and transfer factor methods, and the health risks of adults and children in the study area were assessed using the health risk assessment model recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The results showed that the farmland soil in the study area was basically clean (P=0.43); Cd and Mn mainly existed in a bioavailable state, Hg mainly existed in a potentially available state, and As Cu, Ni, and Pb mainly existed in a residual state. The lettuce was safe (P=0.48), while the pollution index of rice (P=7.66) was higher than that of lettuce, and the main polluting element was Pb (PI=10.25). The results of soil pollution assessments are not completely consistent with those of crop pollution assessments, so they should be combined with the bioavailability of heavy metals and crop effects for correlation analyses. Cd and Cu are more easily absorbed by lettuce, while Cd, Cu, and As are more easily enriched by rice. Special attention should be paid to Cd and Cu pollution in farmland soils, and As pollution should be of focus in paddy fields. In the study area, the non-carcinogenic risk index (HI) value of edible lettuce for adults and children was less than 1 and the average value of the total carcinogenic risk index (Risk) of edible lettuce was less than 1×10-4. Therefore, the health risk of edible local lettuce was within the acceptable range. The average HI index of rice for adults and children was more than 1 and the main non-carcinogenic factor was Pb; the risk index of rice was more than 1×10-4, and the main carcinogenic factor was As. Rice consumption in the study area will cause certain health risks, and the threat to adults is greater than that to children. Therefore, As in rice may be related to the high incidence of NPC in Sihui City. It is suggested that the remediation of heavy metals in farmland soils be strengthened or that residents be forbidden to plant or eat local rice and other crops with greater health risks.

Effects of heavy metal pollution on farmland soils and crops: A case study of the Xiaoqinling Gold Belt, China

ABSTRACT This paper focuses on the heavy metal enrichment and heavy metal pollution degree associated with mining activities in some crops and the soils of different parent materials in the Xiaoqinling Gold Belt. According to the geochemical analysis results of the soils observed in the gold belt, the soils are most highly enriched in Pb, followed by Cr, Cu, and Zn. Furthermore, they are relatively poor in Hg, Cd, and As. It is also shown that the heavy metals in all kinds of soils have the same geochemical characteristics in the gold belt. As for the crops (such as corn and wheat) in the gold belt, Zn and Cu are the most abundant elements, followed by Pb and Cr. Meanwhile, Hg, Cd, and As were found to have relatively low concentrations in the crops. The heavy metals in wheat and corn have the same geochemical characteristics in the gold belt in general. Compared to the aeolian loess soils and the crops therein, heavy metals are more enriched in diluvial and alluvial soils and the crops therein. As shown by relevant studies, the Hg, Pb, Cd, Cu, and Zn pollution are mainly caused by mining activities. Corn and wheat in the gold belt have a high tendency of risk exposure to heavy metal pollution since they are mostly affected by mining activities and feature high background values of heavy metal concentrations. Furthermore, wheat is more liable to be enriched in heavy metals than corn is grown in all types of soils. The Hg pollution in soils leads to Hg accumulation, increasing the risk of Hg uptake in crops, and further affecting human health. This study will provide a scientific basis for the control and management of heavy metals in farmland soils of mining areas.

Ecological risk analysis of heavy metals in farmland soil based on Monte Carlo simulation

This study is aimed to analyze ecological risk for heavy metals in farmland soil. In order to solve the problem of uncertainty in the risk assessment process, the potential ecological risk analysis based on Monte Carlo is established. The evaluation results showed that the probability of As belonging to low risk level was 100%; that of Pb belonging to low risk and medium risk were 34% and 66%; that of Cd belonging to extremely high risk and high risk were 97.44% and 2.56%. The risk of the three heavy metals was ranked as Cd > Pb > As. The probability of total risk belongs to extremely high risk and high risk was 99.48% and 0.52%. The method established in this study can reduce the error caused by a small sample. This study can put forward an objective evaluation methodology for the risk management of farmland pollution by heavy metals.

Exploring the fate of heavy metals from mining and smelting activities in soil-crop system in Baiyin, NW China

The activity and fate of heavy metals (HMs) from mining and smelting activities in farmland soil is of great significance to effectively prevent the excessive enrichment of HMs in crops. This study focuses on Baiyin area, a typical mining city in northwest China. In this example, the sources, speciation, and fate of HMs in the farmland soil, and the migration and enrichment characteristics of HMs in the different parts of crops planted in different areas were studied in detail combining the chemical sequential extraction and Pb isotope approaches. Results showed that the mean anthropogenic contributions of HMs in farmland soils were approximately 85%, 88%, 76%, and 41% for the ore district (OD), Xidagou sewage irrigation area (XSIA), Dongdagou sewage irrigation area, and the Yellow River irrigation area, respectively, and the risk that HMs were excessively accumulated in crops in OD and XSIA was high. Compared with soil residual fractions, the isotope ratios 206Pb/207Pb in non-residual fractions (1.1304–1.1669) were closer to the values of local ores, suggesting that anthropogenic HMs from mining and smelting activities were mainly enriched in the non-residual fractions. The isotope ratios 206Pb/207Pb in crops (1.1398–1.1686) further confirmed that those anthropogenic HMs were more easily absorbed and concentrated by crops. HMs contents in leaves from OD and XSIA were generally higher than that in roots, suggesting that atmospheric deposition in OD and XSIA had a greater impact on the HMs concentration of crop leaves，while the excess rate of HMs in grain/fruit was the lowest in all parts of crops. The division and classification of crop planting in mining area can effectively help minimize the risk that HMs from anthropogenic source enter the human body through the food chain.

Environmental monitoring and ecological risk assessment of heavy metals in farmland soils

This study aimed to investigate the concentration of heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, and As) and assess their ecological risk in agricultural soils of Kamfiruz district, Fras, Iran. Index of geo-accumulation (Igeo), Contamination Factor (CF), Pollution Index (PI), and Ecological Risk Index (RI) were used to assess the contamination status. Igeo indicated that the soil was not contaminated by Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn, but was moderately contaminated by Cd and As. Moreover, CF revealed a low contamination range for Cr, Ni, and Pb and a moderate range for Cu, Zn, and As. The study area was remarkably contaminated by Cd based on the CF index. The PI index showed that Pb, Ni, and Cr with the PI values of 0.98, 0.61, and 0.98 fell into the “low contamination” category, Cu, Zn, and As fell into the “moderate contamination” class, and Cd fell into the high contamination category. RI showed a low potential ecological risk for the presence of heavy metals in the study area. Overall, the results showed that Cd was responsible for the highest level of contamination, which could be due to human activities such as using chemical fertilizers and pesticides in the soil of the study area.

Pollution Characteristics and Source Analysis of Heavy Metals in Farmland Soils in the Taige Canal Valley

To determine the distribution characteristics of heavy metal pollution in farmland soils and related influencing factors in the Taige canal valley, and guarantee soil environmental quality and safety of agricultural products, 118 topsoil samples were collected from the Taige canal valley's farmland soils, and contents of chromium (Cr), mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd) were measured. A single factor index and comprehensive index were used to assess soil heavy metal contamination with the soil background value of the Taihu Lake basin as the evaluation standard. The multivariate statistical analysis and the geostatistical analysis were combined to identify and apportion the pollution sources of soil heavy metals. The results showed that:The average concentrations of Cr, Hg, As, Cu, Zn, Ni, Pb, and Cd in soils were 63.25, 0.25, 7.83, 35.24, 77.25, 31.48, 38.37, and 0.16 mg·kg-1, respectively, all of which except for Cr and As were higher than the local soil background values. The content of each heavy metal in most soil samples were lower than the risk screening values for soil contamination of agricultural land. The comprehensive index showed that the degree of pollution of soil heavy metals were at a slightly polluted level in 87.29%, moderately polluted level in 5.93%, and severely polluted level in 6.78% of the sampling. Hg, Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd in the watershed soil were affected by agricultural activities and atmospheric deposition. Cr and Ni were affected by the parent material and industrial production activities. As was mainly derived from the parent material.

Concentration Characteristics, Source Analysis, and Potential Ecological Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in a Peak-cluster Depression Area, Southeast of Yunnan Province

The pollution characteristics, sources, and ecological risk of heavy metals in farmland soils were studied in a peak-cluster depression area southeast of Yunnan Province. In total, 199 topsoil samples were collected using the grid method and contents of eight heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Ni, Zn, and Hg) were determined. The geoaccumulation index and potential ecological risk index (RI) were used to evaluate soil pollution levels and potential ecological risks, respectively. The absolute principal component scores-multivariate linear regression (APCS-MLR) model and cluster analysis were used to identify the pollution sources and apportion the heavy metals in the soils. The results show that the mean content of Cd, Hg, Cr, Ni, and Zn was higher than their respective background values, exceeding them by up to 16.00, 7.29, 1.46, 1.45, and 2.39 times, respectively. No evidence of the occurrence of other metals was found. The average RI was 1039.3, which represents a high potential ecological risk, with Cd and Hg being the most crucial elements. The APCS-MLR model revealed that natural sources (PC1), traffic sources (PC2), fossil fuel combustion sources (PC3), and agricultural sources (PC4) were the four main contributors of soil heavy metals. The primary source of Cd, Cr, and Ni was PC1, while PC2 was the main source of Pb and Zn. PC3 and PC4 were the main sources of Cu and Hg with contribution rates of 77.86% and 70.37%, respectively. The main sources of As were PC1 (46.71%) and PC4 (49.46%).

Analyzing the possible sources of heavy metals in farmland soil around Weihe coal-fired plant based on multivariate statistical analysis

Contents of heavy metals Cu, Pb, Zn, As, Ni, Mn, V, Co and Cr in farmland soil around Weihe coal-fired plant were surveyed by applying X-ray fluorescence spectrometry to estimate the impact of coal-fired industrial activity on the surrounding soil environment. The possible sources of heavy metals analyzed in the soil were discriminated by utilizing multivariate statistical analysis methods, including principal component analysis, correlation analysis and cluster analysis, and the contribution of each source was apportioned applying principal component analysis subsequently multiple linear regression method. The results revealed that the content ranges of Cu, Pb, Zn, As, Ni, Mn, V, Co, and Cr were 18.1 to 45.9, 20.1 to 64.5, 38.7 to 69.7, 6.0 to 17.9, 23.9 to 39.1, 218.6 to 681.6, 64.5 to 104.2, 18.9 to 61.0, and 94.7 to 128.1 mg/kg with the average of 23.3, 28.3, 48.7, 9.4, 31.2, 564.7, 78.3, 29.1, and 110.7 mg/kg, respectively. Compared with the element background value of Shaanxi soil, the mean contents of Cu, Cr, Co, Pb, Ni and V were larger than their background values, while the mean contents of As, Zn and Mn were less than or close to their background values. Three main sources were discriminated for heavy metals investigated in the surrounding farmland soil of Weihe coal-fired plant. Zn, Cu, Pb, Ni and V derived from traffic and natural source. Co and Cr primarily derived from coal-fired plant discharge. Mn and As primarily came from natural source. The contributions of traffic and nature mixing source, natural source and coal-fired source to heavy metals in farmland soil around Weihe thermal power plant were 21.7%, 49.9% and 28.4%, respectively.

Environmental and Health Risks of Heavy Metals in Farmland Soils of Drinking Water Protection Areas and a Contaminated Paddy Field in Taiwan

This study assessed heavy metal contents and their mobility, bioaccessibility, environmental risk, and health effects in the farmland soils of Drinking Water Source Quality Protection (DWSQP) areas contaminated by livestock manure and a paddy field contaminated by co-use of irrigation and drainage canals in Taiwan. The risk assessment code (RAC) and synthesis toxicity index (STI) for the soils were obtained. The potential health effects caused from soil direct ingestion by hand-to-mouth activity and dermal contact frequently occurring to farmers were further evaluated. The Cu, Zn, and Cr levels in DWSQP areas and the Changhwa (CH) paddy field exceeded the standards promulgated by Taiwan Environmental Protection Administration (EPA). Nevertheless, RAC in DWSQP areas was in low risk levels. In contrast, RAC from Cu and Zn in CH paddy soils was in medium levels. Non-carcinogenic risks for farmers based on the total and bioaccessible metals in DWSQP areas and CH soils were all &lt;1. However, carcinogenic risks based on bioaccessible Cr still exceeded 10−6 in several soils, indicating that the potential impacts on environmental and human health due to direct and indirect exposures to these contaminated soils should be concerned.

Comprehensive assessment of heavy metals pollution of farmland soil and crops in Jilin Province.

As a major agricultural province in China, it is necessary to study the content of heavy metals in farmland soil and crop in Jilin Province and to evaluate the risks to ecology and human health. This study presented the work completed on 79 soil samples, 10 rice samples, 66 maize samples and 15 soybean samples collected from Jilin Province farmland and evaluated six heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, Hg and As) concentrations. The results showed that the concentrations of the six heavy metals in farmland soil and crop samples from Jilin Province basically met the soil standards and food health standards of China. The agricultural soil pollution spatial distribution was the most serious in the south of Jilin Province and the lightest in the west. The non-carcinogenic risks faced by children eating crops were higher than those of adults, but the carcinogenic risks were lower than those of adults. Both of the two health risks to adults and children from eating crops were very limited. The results would help determine the heavy metals pollution in farmland soil in Jilin Province efficiently and accurately and helped decision makers to achieve a balance between production and environmental regulation.

Source apportionment of heavy metals in farmland soil with application of APCS-MLR model: A pilot study for restoration of farmland in Shaoxing City Zhejiang, China

The conditions of the sources of heavy metals are essential to assess its potential threats to human health. The identification of the origin of heavy metals is essential for planning effective measures to control long-term accumulation of heavy metals. In this study, analysis of pollution sources was performed on 100 soil samples with geostatistics and absolute principal component score-multiple linear regression (APCS-MLR) receptor model. The descriptive statistics revealed that concentrations of heavy metals (Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni) have exceeded the background value of Zhejiang Province. The coefficient of variation is Pb > Cd > Cu > Zn > Ni > Cr. The APCS-MLR and geo statistical analysis showed that sources of pollution: PC1 was Ni, Cr, Cu, Zn because of soil parent material. The contribution rates were 89.42%, 87.19%, 29.64%, and 33.58%, respectively. The PC2 was Pb, Zn and Cu which were mainly caused by anthropogenic mining activities. The contribution rates were 95.92%, 24.81%, and 40.62%, respectively. The PC3 was Cd、Zn and Cu which was mainly caused by agricultural inputs, and their contribution rates were 91.96%, 41.61%, and 30.14% respectively. According to Nemero Synthesis Index evaluation method, the Shaoxing City Zhejiang, China is heavily polluted with heavy metals.

Source apportionment of heavy metals in farmland soil of Wuwei, China: Comparison of three receptor models

Abstract Receptor models are, rarely utilized in soil but are often used to identify pollutant sources and quantify their contribution. This paper focuses on the soil in oasis farmland. A geochemical baseline is used to assess the pollution of the soil, and then three models are tentatively utilized to apportion heavy metals and compare the sources, the contributions and the operation effects. Pollution assessment indicated that the farmland soil of Wuwei was lightly contaminated by heavy metals. Source apportionments suggested that atmospheric deposition contributed the most pollution (53.95%–65.35%). The three models supplemented each other, and the grouped principal component analysis/absolute principal component scores (GPCA/APCS) was outstanding. GPCA/APCS and UNMIX suggested that agricultural activities were the prime anthropogenic source (51.06%–61.56%), followed by the combustion of fossil fuels (coal and oil) (27.92%–28.66%) and building materials-related activities source (10.52%–20.29%). Fertilizers and pesticides (67.88%–74.81%) contributed more than traffic emissions (25.19%–32.12%) in agricultural activities. Similar results were acquired via positive matrix factorization (PMF), while industrial activity was the highest individual contributor (29.91%). Therefore, combining these three models was the most effective approach, and more attention should be paid to mitigating the pollution caused by the use of fertilizers and pesticides as well as the industrial activities in Wuwei. The results of this study could provide reference in reduction of heavy metal pollution in farmland soil.