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Heavy Metals in Surface Soils in the Upper Reaches of the Heihe River, Northeastern Tibetan Plateau, China

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  • Jianwei Bu

    (Geological Survey, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
    Laboratory of Basin Hydrology and Wetland Eco-restoration, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China)

  • Ziyong Sun

    (Laboratory of Basin Hydrology and Wetland Eco-restoration, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
    School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China)

  • Aiguo Zhou

    (Geological Survey, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
    Laboratory of Basin Hydrology and Wetland Eco-restoration, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
    School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China)

  • Youning Xu

    (Xi’an Center of Geological Survey, China Geological Survey, Xi’an 710054, China)

  • Rui Ma

    (Laboratory of Basin Hydrology and Wetland Eco-restoration, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
    School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China)

  • Wenhao Wei

    (Geological Survey, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China)

  • Meng Liu

    (Geological Survey, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
    Faculty of Mechanical & Electronic Information, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China)

Abstract

The upper reaches of the Heihe River have been regarded as a hotspot for phytoecology, climate change, water resources and hydrology studies. Due to the cold-arid climate, high elevation, remote location and poor traffic conditions, few studies focused on heavy metal contamination of soils have been conducted or reported in this region. In the present study, an investigation was performed to provide information regarding the concentration levels, sources, spatial distributions, and environmental risks of heavy metals in this area for the first time. Fifty-six surface soil samples collected from the study area were analyzed for Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd and Pb concentrations, as well as TOC levels. Basic statistics, concentration comparisons, correlation coefficient analysis and multivariate analyses coupled with spatial distributions were utilized to delineate the features and the sources of different heavy metals. Risk assessments, including geoaccumulation index, enrichment factor and potential ecological risk index, were also performed. The results indicate that the concentrations of heavy metals have been increasing since the 1990s. The mean values of each metal are all above the average background values in the Qinghai Province, Tibet, China and the world, except for that of Cr. Of special note is the concentration of Cd, which is extremely elevated compared with all background values. The distinguished ore-forming conditions and well-preserved, widely distributed limestones likely contribute to the high Cd concentration. Heavy metals in surface soils in the study area are primarily inherited from parent materials. Nonetheless, anthropogenic activities may have accelerated the process of weathering. Cd presents a high background concentration level and poses a severe environmental risk throughout the whole region. Soils in Yinda, Reshui daban, Kekeli and Zamasheng in particular pose threats to the health of the local population, as well as that of livestock and wildlife.

Suggested Citation

  • Jianwei Bu & Ziyong Sun & Aiguo Zhou & Youning Xu & Rui Ma & Wenhao Wei & Meng Liu, 2016. "Heavy Metals in Surface Soils in the Upper Reaches of the Heihe River, Northeastern Tibetan Plateau, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-19, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:13:y:2016:i:3:p:247-:d:64285
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Zhang, Junlian, 2007. "Barriers to water markets in the Heihe River basin in northwest China," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 87(1), pages 32-40, January.
    2. Jane Qiu, 2008. "China: The third pole," Nature, Nature, vol. 454(7203), pages 393-396, July.
    3. Kenji Yoshikawa & Larry D. Hinzman, 2003. "Shrinking thermokarst ponds and groundwater dynamics in discontinuous permafrost near council, Alaska," Permafrost and Periglacial Processes, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 14(2), pages 151-160, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jianwei Bu & Wei Liu & Zhao Pan & Kang Ling, 2020. "Comparative Study of Hydrochemical Classification Based on Different Hierarchical Cluster Analysis Methods," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-23, December.
    2. Fuling Zhang & Guangchao Cao & Shengkui Cao & Zhuo Zhang & Hongda Li & Gang Jiang, 2023. "Characteristics and Potential Ecological Risks of Heavy Metal Content in the Soil of a Plateau Alpine Mining Area in the Qilian Mountains," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-16, September.
    3. Jianwei Bu & Ziyong Sun & Rui Ma & Yunde Liu & Xulong Gong & Zhao Pan & Wenhao Wei, 2020. "Shallow Groundwater Quality and Its Controlling Factors in the Su-Xi-Chang Region, Eastern China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-18, February.
    4. Wenhao Wei & Rui Ma & Ziyong Sun & Aiguo Zhou & Jianwei Bu & Xiang Long & Yunde Liu, 2018. "Effects of Mining Activities on the Release of Heavy Metals (HMs) in a Typical Mountain Headwater Region, the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-19, September.
    5. Yunlong Hu & Zhifeng Yu & Xiangling Fang & Weixiong Zhang & Jinrong Liu & Feng Zhao, 2020. "Influence of Mining and Vegetation Restoration on Soil Properties in the Eastern Margin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-12, June.

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