Speciation Distribution Research Articles

Enhancement of dewaterability and heavy metals solubilization of waste activated sludge conditioned by natural vanadium-titanium magnetite-activated peroxymonosulfate oxidation with rice husk

In this work, natural vanadium-titanium magnetite-activated peroxymonosulfate (VTM-PMS) oxidation coupled with rice husk (RH) as skeleton builder (VTM-PMS-RH) was employed to enhance sludge dewaterability for the first time. The optimal dosages of PMS, VTM, and RH were 200 mg/g total suspended solids (TSS), 1 g/g TSS, and 200 mg/g TSS, respectively. Under optimal conditions, capillary suction time (CST) reduction and water content of sludge cake (WC) were 82.1% and 72.9% after VTM-PMS conditioning, respectively, which further reached the values of 94.8% and 63.4% when coupled with RH treatment. Cycle experiments demonstrated that VTM reusability in VTM-PMS system for dewatering sludge was desirable. Based on sludge physicochemical properties after conditioning (i.e., extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), zeta potential, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), total nitrogen (TN), and volatile suspended solids (VSS) reduction), VTM-PMS oxidation shows the merits of EPS degradation, sludge disintegration, and charge neutralization. In addition, the transformation behaviors of heavy metals (HMs) in sludge after conditioning were investigated according to total HMs contents, speciation distribution, and leaching tests. Through conditioning, total HMs contents (Cu, Zn, Cr, and Pb) in liquid phase increased while were adverse in solid phase. The leaching toxicity reductions were 78%, 83%, 60%, and 100% for Cu, Zn, Cr, and Pb, respectively, obtained by VTM-PMS-RH conditioning. Meanwhile, the chemical speciation distribution of HMs in sludge was changed and transformed into more stable forms, as well as the environmental risk of HMs decreased. These results suggest that VTM-PMS-RH process has a synergistic contribution to the environmental risk reduction of HMs and their immobilization enhancement. Therefore, VTM-PMS-RH process is a promising alternative for sludge conditioning in terms of the enhancement of dewaterability and HMs solubilization.

Effect of ferrous sulfate dosage and soil particle size on leachability and species distribution of chromium in hexavalent chromium‐contaminated soil stabilized by ferrous sulfate

Ferrous sulfate (FeSO4) is widely used to effectively stabilize hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI))‐contaminated soil. The leaching behavior, Cr(VI) content, and chromium speciation distribution in the stabilized soil are the most important indexes for determining the effectiveness of reduction treatment. Numerous factors, such as reductant dosage and soil particle size, affect the stabilization process; these factors are relatively important. This study investigated the influence of FeSO4 dosage and soil particle size on leachability and speciation distribution of chromium in contaminated soil. Results showed that the increase in FeSO4 significantly reduced the leachability and Cr(VI) content in the soil given the increased reducible species that stem from an acid soluble fraction of chromium. The small particle size of the soil that contains a large surface area facilitated the reaction between Cr(VI) and FeSO4, thereby resulting in low leachability and high reducible species of Cr(VI) in the stabilized soil. The leached Cr(VI) concentration was exponentially correlated to Cr(VI) content in the stabilized soil, and the leachability of Cr from the stabilized soil was linearly correlated to the exchangeable phase of Cr. In addition, the leached Cr(VI) concentration from the stabilized soil conform to the US Environmental Protection Agency and China regulatory limits; meanwhile, considerable Cr(VI) remained in a few stabilized soil and exceeded the environmental quality standards for soil in China. These results illustrated the importance of a comprehensive assessment of Cr(VI)‐contaminated soil, which is treated by reductants for enabling flexible future land use. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 38: 500–507, 2019

Controls governing the spatial distribution of sediment arsenic concentrations and solid-phase speciation in a lake impacted by legacy mining pollution

Forty-seven sediment cores were collected as part of a spatial survey of Long Lake, Yellowknife, NWT, Canada to elucidate the physical and geochemical controls on the distribution of arsenic (As) in sediments impacted by the aerial deposition of arsenic trioxide (As2O3) from ore roasting at legacy gold mines. High-resolution profiles of dissolved As in bottom water and porewater were also collected to determine As remobilization and diffusion rates across the sediment-water interface. Arsenic concentrations in Long Lake sediments ranged from 2.2 to 3420 mg kg−1 (dry weight). Two distinct types of sediment As concentration profiles were identified and are interpreted to represent erosional and depositional areas. Water depth is the best predictor of As concentration in the top 5 cm of sediments due to the inferred focusing of fine-grained As2O3 into deeper water. At greater sediment depths, iron (Fe) concentration, as a likely indicator of As, Fe, and sulphur (S) co-diagenesis, was the best predictor of As concentration. The sediments are a source of dissolved As to surface waters through diffusion-controlled release to bottom water. Arsenic concentrations, solid-phase speciation, and diffusive efflux varied laterally across the lake bottom and with sediment depth due to the interplay between sediment-focusing processes and redox reactions, which has implications for human health and ecological risk assessments.

PC-based and MgO-based binders stabilised/solidified heavy metal-contaminated model soil: strength and heavy metal speciation in early stage

An investigation into using Portland cement (PC)-based and magnesia (MgO)-based binders for treating contaminated model soil was carried out to study the benefit of novel binders over conventional ones in stabilisation/solidification systems (S/S), as well as the binding mechanism involved. Binders used in this study include PC, ground granulated blast-furnace slag, pulverised fly ash and magnesia. The strength and the leaching properties of S/S treated samples by way of unconfined compressive strength and sequential extraction tests are presented. The results show that the early-age strength of these mixes is influenced by the reactivity of binders; heavy metals were principally distributed in the carbonate and the iron/manganese (Fe/Mn) oxide fractions in all mixes after 28 days of curing time; the speciation distribution characteristics are not the same among zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni) and lead (Pb), and the stability of Zn, Cu, Ni and Pb benefits from a longer curing time and the use of magnesia.

Risk assessment of heavy metals in pipe scales and loose deposits formed in drinking water distribution systems

The accumulation of inorganic contaminants in drinking water distribution systems (DWDS) can greatly threaten water quality and safety. This work mainly focused on the accumulation, speciation and risk assessment of inorganic contaminants found in pipe scales and loose deposits in DWDS. Global contamination factor (GCF), risk assessment code (RAC) and consensus-based sediment quality guidelines (CBSQGs) were adopted for the potential health risk assessment of inorganic contaminants. The Tessier sequential extraction method was used to study the speciation distribution of inorganic contaminants in fourteen samples (six pipe scale samples, eight loose deposit samples) collected from real DWDS. The significant correlation between Al and Mn showed there was a co-occurrence behavior of Al and Mn in pipe scales and loose deposits. In addition to the possible interactions between Al and Mn, Ba, Cu and As were possibly accumulated during the formation of Al and Mn commixtures. Mn, Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, Co and Ba in the samples were mainly associated with the Fe-Mn oxides fraction, which indicated Fe-Mn oxides might play an important role in the accumulation and release of these inorganic contaminants. Fe, Al, As, Cr, V and Cd mainly existed in the residual fraction, which indicated their low mobility. The GCF results demonstrated that most of the sample sites had a certain environmental risk. The RAC results showed that high risk mainly resulted from Cd both in pipe scales and loose deposits. According to the CBSQGs evaluation, heavy metals in loose deposits were more harmful, and Ba exhibited the highest risk among all heavy metals.

The Alboran volcanic-arc modulated the Messinian faunal exchange and salinity crisis

What process triggered the Mediterranean Sea restriction remains debated since the discovery of the Messinian Salinity Crisis (MSC). Recent hypotheses infer that the MSC initiated after the closure of the Atlantic-Mediterranean Betic and Rifean corridors, being modulated through restriction at the Gibraltar Strait. These hypotheses however, do not integrate contemporaneous speciation patterns of the faunal exchange between Iberia and Africa and several geological features like the evaporite distribution. Exchange of terrestrial biota occurred before, during and after the MSC, and speciation models support an exchange path across the East Alborán basin (EAB) located a few hundreds of km east of the Gibraltar Strait. Yet, a structure explaining jointly geological and biological observations has remained undiscovered. We present new seismic data showing the velocity structure of a well-differentiated 14–17-km thick volcanic arc in the EAB. Isostatic considerations support that the arc-crust buoyancy created an archipelago leading to a filter bridge across the EAB. Sub-aerial erosional unconformities and onlap relationships support that the arc was active between ~10–6 Ma. Progressive arc build-up leading to an archipelago and its later subsidence can explain the extended exchange of terrestrial biota between Iberia and Africa (~7–3 Ma), and agrees with patterns of biota speciation and terrestrial fossil distribution before the MSC (10–6.2 Ma). In this scenario, the West Alboran Basin (WAB) could then be the long-postulated open-marine refuge for the Mediterranean taxa that repopulated the Mediterranean after the MSC, connected to the deep restricted Mediterranean basin through a sill at the Alboran volcanic arc archipelago.

Leachability and Stability of Hexavalent-Chromium-Contaminated Soil Stabilized by Ferrous Sulfate and Calcium Polysulfide

Ferrous sulfate (FeSO4) and calcium polysulfide (CaS5) stabilization are practical approaches to stabilizing hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI))-contaminated soil. The leachability and stability of Cr(VI) and Cr are important factors affecting the effectiveness of stabilized Cr(VI)-contaminated soil. This study compared the leachability and stability of Cr(VI) and Cr in Cr(VI)-contaminated soil stabilized by using FeSO4 and CaS5. The contaminated soil was characterized before and after stabilization, and the effectiveness of FeSO4 and CaS5 stabilization was assessed using leaching, bioaccessibility, alkaline digestion, sequential extraction, and X-ray diffraction tests. Results showed that FeSO4 and CaS5 significantly reduced the leachability and Cr(VI) content in the contaminated soil. The acid-buffering capacity and stability (leachability, bioaccessibility, speciation distribution, and mineral composition) of the Cr(VI)/Cr and Cr(VI) content of CaS5 were better than those of FeSO4. This study demonstrated that CaS5 had a better effect than FeSO4 on the stabilization of Cr(VI) in Cr(VI)-contaminated soil. The CaS5 significantly enhanced the stabilization and immobilization of Cr(VI) and reduced its leachability and toxicity.

Waterborne and Dietborne Toxicity of Inorganic Arsenic to the Freshwater Zooplankton Daphnia magna.

Waterborne and dietborne exposure are both important sources for the accumulation of inorganic arsenic (iAs) in aquatic organisms. Although the waterborne toxicity of iAs has been extensively investigated, its dietborne toxicity has received little attention. The present study examined the acute and chronic toxicity of arsenate (iAsV) and arsenite (iAsIII) to the freshwater zooplankton species Daphnia magna under both waterborne and dietborne exposure scenarios. The bioaccumulation, speciation, and tissue and subcellular distributions of arsenic were analyzed to understand the mechanisms accounting for differences in toxicity related to different arsenic species, exposure scenarios, and exposure duration. The toxicity of iAs increased with exposure time, and iAsIII was more toxic than iAsV. Moreover, although dietborne iAs had no acute effect on D. magna, it incurred significant toxicity in the chronic-exposure experiment. Nevertheless, the toxicity of dietborne iAs was still lower than that of waterborne iAs regardless of the exposure duration. This difference was found to be caused by the lower bioaccumulation of dietborne iAs, its higher distribution in the gut and in the biologically detoxified subcellular fraction, and greater transformation to the less toxic dimethylarsinic acid. Overall, the dietborne toxicity of iAs should be considered when evaluating the environmental risks posed by arsenic.

Best Paper Award.

Best Paper Award.

Geochemical modeling of mercury speciation in surface water and implications on mercury cycling in the everglades wetland

The geochemical model PHREEQC, abbreviated from PH (pH), RE (redox), EQ (equilibrium), and C (program written in C), was employed on the datasets generated by the USEPA Everglades Regional Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (R-EMAP) to determine the speciation distribution of inorganic mercury (iHg) in Everglades water and to explore the implications of iHg speciation on mercury cycling. The results suggest that sulfide and DOM were the key factors that regulate inorganic Hg speciation in the Everglades. When sulfide was present at measurable concentrations (>0.02 mg/L), Hg-S complexes dominated iHg species, occurring in the forms of HgS22−, HgHS2−, and Hg(HS)2 that were affected by a variety of environmental factors. When sulfide was assumed nonexistent, Hg-DOM complexes occurred as the predominant Hg species, accounting for almost 100% of iHg species. However, when sulfide was presumably present at a very low, environmentally relevant concentration (3.2 × 10−7 mg/L), both Hg-DOM and Hg-S complexes were present as the major iHg species. These Hg-S species and Hg-DOM complex could be related to methylmercury (MeHg) in environmental matrices such floc, periphyton, and soil, and the correlations are dependent upon different circumstances (e.g., sulfide concentrations). The implications of the distribution of iHg species on MeHg production and fate in the Everglades were discussed.

Effects of selenium application on Se content and speciation in Lentinula edodes

Edible fungi have strong ability to transform inorganic Se into organic forms. Therefore, different concentrations of selenite, selenate and Se-yeast were injected as Se-supplements into substrates to produce Se-enriched Lentinula edodes. The Se content and its speciation distribution in the fruit bodies of L. edodes were analysed at different harvest times. Results indicate that Se concentrations of L. edodes increased first and then decreased over time. Based on Se accumulation in L. edodes, selenium use efficiency was ranked as selenite > selenate > Se-yeast. SeMet was the predominant Se speciation in the fruit bodies of L. edodes. SeMet made up the biggest proportion of total Se content and increased with application time for selenite and selenate treatments, whereas no significant change was found for Se-yeast treatment. This study demonstrates that Se-enriched L. edodes is a good source of dietary Se.

The sources and distribution of carbon (DOC, POC, DIC) in a mangrove dominated estuary (French Guiana, South America)

Mangrove forests are highly productive coastal ecosystems that significantly influence global carbon cycling. This study characterized the sources of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), particulate organic carbon (POC) and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and the processes affecting their distributions in a mangrove-influenced estuary located in French Guiana (FG), a region representative of these dynamic systems down drift of the Amazon River. Four sampling cruises were carried out between 2013 and 2015 in surface waters of the estuary during dry and wet seasons. Stable isotopes (δ13DOC, δ13POC, δ13DIC), elemental ratios and optical properties (absorption) were used as proxies to identify different C sources. Property–salinity relationships revealed regions of approximately linear mixing (e.g., alkalinity) or net sources or sinks (e.g., DOC). DIC speciation and isotopic distributions demonstrated dynamic source–sink reaction processes within the estuary. DOC was the major form of organic carbon representing mixtures of terrestrial sources (e.g., pore water, litter leaching) and very high concentration (400–800 µM) compared to other mangrove settings (e.g. Brazilian, Sundarbans, African). Highly negative δ13POC (− 40‰) in the riverine part presumably suggests the role of freshwater phytoplankton in the dry season and methanotrophic sources derived from senescent mangrove deposits or upstream hydrothermal dam during the wet season. Microphytobenthos and marine phytoplankton were the primary sources of POC inshore and DOC offshore, respectively. Mangrove products and benthic microalgae dominated estuarine sources of C in FG coastal waters (~ 10 km, inner shelf region), and there was extensive exchange of C between forest and tidal flat and the estuarine reservoirs.

Bioleaching of vanadium from barren stone coal and its effect on the transition of vanadium speciation and mineral phase

This study determined the optimal conditions required to obtain maximum vanadium extraction and examined the transition of mineral phases and vanadium speciation during the bioleaching process. Parameters including the initial pH value, initial Fe2+ concentration, solid load, and inoculum quantity were examined. The results revealed that 48.92wt% of the vanadium was extracted through bioleaching under optimal conditions. Comparatively, the chemical leaching yield (H2SO4, pH 2.0) showed a slower and milder increase in vanadium yield. The vanadium bioleaching yield was 35.11wt% greater than the chemical leaching yield. The Community Bureau of Reference (BCR) sequential extraction results revealed that 88.62wt% of vanadium existed in the residual fraction. The bacteria substantially changed the distribution of the vanadium speciation during the leaching process, and the residual fraction decreased to 48.44wt%. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) results provided evidence that the crystal lattice structure of muscovite was destroyed by the bacteria.

Change of heavy metal speciation, mobility, bioavailability, and ecological risk during potassium ferrate treatment of waste-activated sludge.

The effects of potassium ferrate treatment on the heavy metal concentrations, speciation, mobility, bioavailability, and environmental risk in waste-activated sludge (WAS) at various dosages of potassium ferrate and different treatment times were investigated. Results showed that the total concentrations of all metals (except Cd) were decreased slightly after treatment and the order of metal concentrations in WAS and treated waste-activated sludge (TWAS) was Mg > Zn > Cu > Cr > Pb > Ni > Cd. Most heavy metals in WAS remained in TWAS after potassium ferrate treatment with metal residual rates over 67.8% in TWAS. The distribution of metal speciation in WAS was affected by potassium ferrate treatment. The bioavailability and the mobility of heavy metals (except Mg) in TWAS were mitigated, compared to those in WAS. Meanwhile, the environmental risk of heavy metals (except Pb and Cu) was alleviated after potassium ferrate treatment.

Influence of Rare Earth Elements on the Structural-Phase State of Mo–Si–X (X = Sc, Y, Nd) in situ Composites

The microstructure and phase composition of the Mo-Si alloy doped with Sc, Y or Nd were investigated. The methods of X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), electron microscopy, and electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) were used to determine the main phase components and their volume fractions as well as to assess the speciation and interphase distributions of doping rare earth elements (REE). It was shown that, when introducing up to 3.0 at % Si, Y, or Nd into the Mo–15.3 at % Si hypoeutectic alloy, the structure intrinsic to naturally occurring (in situ) composites was formed. This structure was composed of an α-Mo based solid solution and a strengthening silicide phase including Mo3Si and the particles of complex composition enriched in REE. Doping additives contributed significantly to the microstructure dispersity and modified the morphology of particles of both the metallic and silicide phases, and increased the Moss/Mo3Si volume ratio. The microhardness of structural components was determined and the parameters of lattice elementary cells of the main phases were evaluated for the REE-doped alloys under study. The observed regularities of their variations generally conformed to the conclusions about the influence of REE on the structural-phase state of the Mo-Si hypoeutectic composites.

Incorporation and subsequent diagenetic alteration of sulfur in Arctica islandica

Biogenic carbonates are important archives for reconstructing the marine sulfur cycle. However, uncertainties exist about the exact location of carbonate associated sulfate (CAS) and a possible biological control on sulfate incorporation. The behavior of CAS in biogenic carbonates during diagenetic alteration is even more poorly constrained. To investigate the mechanisms of sulfur incorporation and the effects of alteration on sulfur in biogenic carbonates, modern marine bivalve shells of Arctica islandica species were hydrothermally altered at 100 degrees C and 175 degrees C. Fluorescence microscopy, element mapping via NanoSIMS and mu-XRF, sulfur XANES analyses, and delta S-34 measurements were performed on the experimentally altered shell segments. Changes in elemental compositions and delta S-34 of sulfate in the post-alteration solutions were also determined. Results indicate clear differences between the delta S-34 values of the CAS (+ 21 parts per thousand, V-CDT) that reflects ambient seawater sulfate and the organically bound sulfur that is isotopically lighter (+ 14.8 parts per thousand, V-CDT or less). Carbonate associated sulfate is primarily incorporated in the mineral phase of the shell, whereas reduced sulfur phases are mainly found within the intrashell organic matter. Hydrothermal alteration experiments at 100 degrees C resulted in minimal changes of sulfur within the bivalve shells. In contrast, the 175 degrees C experiments triggered decomposition of intrashell organic matrices which then led to extensive diagenetic alteration in both the shell microstructure and chemistry. Changes in total concentration, speciation, and spatial distribution of sulfur reflect the diagenetic processes that occurred within the shells. Preferential incorporation of CAS in a neomorphic calcite phase with Mg/Ca ratios of 0.13-0.21 was observed. Due to its presence in both organic and inorganic phases and its multiple oxidation states with different isotopic compositions we conclude that sulfur is a useful and sensitive proxy for diagenetic alteration in biogenic aragonite.

Effect of Soil Fulvic and Humic Acids on Pb Binding to the Goethite/Solution Interface: Ligand Charge Distribution Modeling and Speciation Distribution of Pb.

The effect of adsorbed soil fulvic (JGFA) and humic acid (JGHA) on Pb binding to goethite was studied with the ligand charge distribution (LCD) model and X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy analysis. In the LCD model, the adsorbed small JGFA particles were evenly located in the Stern layer, but the large JGHA particles were distributed over the Stern layer and the diffuse layer, which mainly depended on the JGHA diameter and concentrations. Specific interactions of humic substances (HS) with goethite were modeled by inner-sphere complexes between the -FeOH20.5+ of goethite and the -COO- of HS and by Pb bridges between surface sites and COO- groups of HS. At low Pb levels, nearly 100% of Pb was bound as Pb bridges for both JGFA and JGHA. At high Pb levels and low HS loading, Pb-goethite almost dominated over the entire studied pH range, but at high HS loading, the primary species was goethite-HS-Pb at acidic pH and goethite-Pb at alkaline pH. Compared with JGFA, there was a constant contribution of Pb bridges of about 10% for JGHA. The linear combination fit of EXAFS, using Pb-HS and Pb-goethite as references, indicated that with increased HS loading more Pb was bound to adsorbed HS and less to goethite, which supported the LCD calculations.

Mechanisms of Arsenic Sequestration by Prosopis juliflora during the Phytostabilization of Metalliferous Mine Tailings.

Phytostabilization is a cost-effective long-term bioremediation technique for the immobilization of metalliferous mine tailings. However, the biogeochemical processes affecting metal(loid) molecular stabilization and mobility in the root zone remain poorly resolved. The roots of Prosopis juliflora grown for up to 36 months in compost-amended pyritic mine tailings from a federal Superfund site were investigated by microscale and bulk synchrotron X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and multiple energy micro-X-ray fluorescence imaging to determine iron, arsenic, and sulfur speciation, abundance, and spatial distribution. Whereas ferrihydrite-bound As(V) species predominated in the initial bulk mine tailings, the rhizosphere speciation of arsenic was distinctly different. Root-associated As(V) was immobilized on the root epidermis bound to ferric sulfate precipitates and within root vacuoles as trivalent As(III)-(SR)3tris-thiolate complexes. Molar Fe-to-As ratios of root epidermis tissue were two times higher than the 15% compost-amended bulk tailings growth medium. Rhizoplane-associated ferric sulfate phases that showed a high capacity to scavenge As(V) were dissimilar from the bulk-tailings mineralogy as shown by XAS and X-ray diffraction, indicating a root-surface mechanism for their formation or accumulation.

Mercury Speciation and Mass Distribution of Cement Production Process in Taiwan

In this study, the mercury (Hg) speciation and mass distribution at two cement plants located in northern and eastern Taiwan were investigated. Gaseous Hg in the kiln flue gas was sampled by the Ontario Hydro method, and the solid samples were collected to analyze the Hg mass balance. The total Hg concentrations in the raw mill electrostatic precipitator (ESP) input of the two plants were 155.70 and 64.62 µg Nm–3, respectively, which were higher than those at any other sampling point. Approximately 97.5 and 86.5% of the Hg in the raw mill ESP input at Plants 1 and 2, respectively, was particle-bound. Elemental Hg was the major gaseous Hg species emitted into the atmosphere from these two cement plants, accounting for 56.4 to 98.2% of the total Hg in the flue gas. The total Hg mass output was calculated to be 61.374 and 204.596 mg-Hg per metric ton-clinker (mg ton–1) for cement Plants 1 and 2, respectively. The Hg emission factors for Plants 1 and 2 were thus 0.059 and 0.196 g-Hg per metric ton-cement (g ton–1), respectively. These results improve our understanding of Hg emissions from cement plants in Taiwan and provide useful information for selecting Hg control technology.

Toxic heavy metal contamination assessment and speciation in sugarcane soil

The increasing heavy metal pollution in the sugarcane soils along the Great Huanjiang River was caused by leakage and spills of Lead (Pb) and Zinc (Zn) tailing dams during a flood event. Copper (Cu), Zn, Pb, Cadmium (Cd), and Arsenic (As) concentrations of soil samples collected from 16 different sites along the Great Huanjiang River coast typical pollution area were analyzed by Inductive Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The mean concentrations of Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu, and As in the sugarcane soils were 151.57 mg/kg, 0.33 mg/kg, 155.52 mg/kg, 14.19 mg/kg, and 18.74 mg/kg, respectively. Results from the analysis of heavy metal speciation distribution showed that Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd existed in weak acid, reducible, and oxidizable fractions, and the sum of these fractions accounted for significant proportions in sugarcane soils. However, the residual fraction of As with high proportion of reducible fraction indicated that this trace element still poses some environmental risk in the sugarcane soils because of its high content. Assessments of pollution levels revealed that the highest environmental risk was arouse by Pb. In addition, moderate to strong Cd and Zn pollution were found, while As has zero to medium level of pollution and Cu has zero level.