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Characterization of contamination levels of heavy metals in agricultural soils using geochemical baseline concentrations

  • Soils, Sec 2 • Global Change, Environ Risk Assess, Sustainable Land Use • Research Article
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Abstract

Purpose

It is currently very difficult to accurately evaluate the soil contamination by heavy metals (HMs) attributed to the unavailability of local geochemical background values (LGBVs). This study was performed to establish the geochemical baseline concentrations (GBCs), as an alternative for LGBVs to use for HM pollution assessment of agricultural soil.

Materials and methods

GBCs of the HMs selected were determined using the cumulative frequency distribution curves (CFDCs). GBCs were then used to pursue the HM soil pollution and associated ecological risks, via calculation of geo-accumulation indices (Igeo), pollution load indices (PLI), as well as potential ecological risk indices (RI).

Results and discussion

As to the soil investigated, the GBCs of Ni, Zn, Pb, and Cr were 29.34 mg/kg, 45.54 mg/kg, 21.81 mg/kg, and 33.65 mg/kg, respectively. Igeo values ranged from − 4.58 to 0.33 (Ni), from − 2.46 to 2.14 (Zn), from − 5.32 to 0.77 (Pb), and from − 3.83 to 0.96 (Cr), suggesting that the region was not polluted by these HMs. PLI values ranged from 0.08 to 2.45 with an average of 1.02. 49.6% of soil samples had the PLI values > 1.0, indicating that some of the soil may be moderately contaminated by HMs. The RI values of selected HMs were < 150, indicating a low potential ecological risk. Principal component analysis (PCA) implied Zn, Pb, and Cr were mainly sourced from parent (geological) materials, as well as agricultural activities, atmospheric deposition, etc., depending on the element.

Conclusions

The present study illustrates the necessity of the characterization of GBCs at a regional scale, allowing for more accurate assessment of soil contamination by HMs. We hope that this will eventually lead to further development of better environmental management practices for agricultural soil polluted by HMs.

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Acknowledgements

The farmers provided us with the basic information of studied area and issued the permission to conduct the sampling in the land. The authors are grateful for the support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, School of Energy and Environment, Anhui University of Technology, Ma’anshan, People’s Republic of China

    Siping Niu & Xuan Wang

  2. Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, School of Earth and Environment, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan, People’s Republic of China

    Liangmin Gao

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  1. Siping Niu
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Niu, S., Gao, L. & Wang, X. Characterization of contamination levels of heavy metals in agricultural soils using geochemical baseline concentrations. J Soils Sediments 19, 1697–1707 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-018-2190-1

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