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Assessing heavy-metal contamination and sources by GIS-based approach and multivariate analysis of urban–rural topsoils in Wuhan, central China

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Abstract

Nine potentially harmful heavy metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Pb, Ni, and Zn) were measured in 477 topsoil samples collected from urban–rural areas in the city of Wuhan in order to identify their concentrations and possible sources, and characterize their spatial variability for risk assessment. Results showed that in most rural areas heavy-metal concentrations in soil were similar to their natural background values, but Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn concentrations were relatively higher in densely populated districts and around industrial facilities. Multivariate analyses (correlation matrix, principal component analysis, and cluster analysis) indicated that Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn were mainly derived from anthropogenic inputs, and Co, Cr, and Mn were controlled by natural source, whereas Ni appeared to be affected by both anthropogenic and natural sources. The result of risk assessment indicated that nearly 48% of the study area suffered from moderate to severe contamination.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the Geological Survey of China and Hubei Province Program “Multipurpose Geochemical Survey of Hubei Province” (200214200024) and Natural Science Foundation of China (40703023 and 40703020). The authors are greatly indebted to colleagues who participated in the fieldwork and data processing.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Earth Science, China University of Geosciences, Box 430074, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China

    Min Gong & Zhen-dong Ma

  2. School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Box 430074, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China

    Li Wu

  3. Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, Ministry of Education, Faculty of Earth Science, China University of Geosciences, Box 430074, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China

    Xiang-yang Bi, Li-min Ren & Zheng-yu Bao

  4. Faculty of Earth Resources, China University of Geosciences, Box 430074, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China

    Lei Wang

  5. State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Box 550002, Guiyang, People’s Republic of China

    Zhong-gen Li

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  1. Min Gong
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Gong, M., Wu, L., Bi, Xy. et al. Assessing heavy-metal contamination and sources by GIS-based approach and multivariate analysis of urban–rural topsoils in Wuhan, central China. Environ Geochem Health 32, 59–72 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-009-9265-2

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