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Evaluating Metal(loid)s Contamination in Soil of a Typical In-Dustry Smelting Site in South Central China: Levels, Possible Sources and Human Health Risk Analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Chengai Liu

    (School of Geographic Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China)

  • Liwen Yi

    (School of Geographic Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China
    Hunan Key Laboratory of Geospatial Big Data Mining and Application, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China)

  • Anhuai Lu

    (School of Earth and Space Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China)

  • Binggeng Xie

    (School of Geographic Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China
    Hunan Key Laboratory of Geospatial Big Data Mining and Application, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China)

  • Hanfang Peng

    (School of Geographic Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China)

Abstract

Soil pollution by metal(loid)s caused by smelting activities is a severe problem posing a great threat to environmental and human health. In this study, the concentrations, sources and human health risks posed by six potentially toxic elements (Cr, Mn, Zn, Pb, Cd, and As) were determined in the soil of a typical alloy smelting site in South Central China. The results showed that the concentrations of metal(loid)s were in the descending order of Mn > Cr > Zn > Pb > As > Cd. Additionally, the selected elements were classified into different pollution degrees using geo-accumulation index and pollution load index. The entire study area had a high pollution level with relatively severe and extensive contamination by Cr, Cd, and Mn. The combined application of principal component analysis and positive matrix decomposition model revealed that the major sources of these elements include smelting activities (48.68%), waste residue stacking (22.95%), and natural sources (28.37%). According to the results of the human health risk assessment, the non-carcinogenic risk was insignificant as a whole; however, the carcinogenic risk had an unacceptable level. Among them, Cr was the main driver of carcinogenic risk, which needs special attention.

Suggested Citation

  • Chengai Liu & Liwen Yi & Anhuai Lu & Binggeng Xie & Hanfang Peng, 2021. "Evaluating Metal(loid)s Contamination in Soil of a Typical In-Dustry Smelting Site in South Central China: Levels, Possible Sources and Human Health Risk Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(20), pages 1-16, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:20:p:11294-:d:655422
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Danyang Yu & Jingran Wang & Yanhong Wang & Xueli Du & Guochen Li & Bo Li, 2021. "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 Meth," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-19, June.
    2. Songlin Zhang & Yuan Liu & Yujing Yang & Xilu Ni & Muhammad Arif & Wokadala Charles & Changxiao Li, 2020. "Trace Elements in Soils of a Typical Industrial District in Ningxia, Northwest China: Pollution, Source, and Risk Evaluation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-13, March.
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