Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Concentrations, spatial distribution, and risk assessment of soil heavy metals in a Zn-Pb mine district in southern China

  • Published:
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

China is one of the largest producers and consumers of lead and zinc in the world. Lead and zinc mining and smelting can release hazardous heavy metals such as Cd, Pb, Zn, and As into soils, exerting health risks to human by chronic exposure. The concentrations of Cd, Zn, Pb, and As in soil samples collected from a Pb-Zn mining area with exploitation history of 60 years were investigated. Health risks of the heavy metals in soil were evaluated using US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) recommended method. A geo-statistical technique (Kriging) was used for the interpolation of heavy metals pollution and Hazard Index (HI). The results indicated that the long-term Pb/Zn mining activities caused the serious pollution in the local soil. The concentrations of Cd, As, Pb, and Zn in topsoil were 40.3 ± 6.3, 103.7 ± 37.3, 3518.4 ± 896.1, and 10,413 ± 2973.2 mg/kg dry weight, respectively. The spatial distribution of the four metals possessed similar patterns, with higher concentrations around Aayiken (AYK), Maseka (MSK), and Kuangshan (KS) area and more rapidly dropped concentrations at upwind direction than those at downwind direction. The main pollutions of Cd and Zn were found in the upper 60 cm, the Pb was found in the upper 40 cm, and the As was in the upper 20 cm. The mobility of metals in soil profile of study area was classed as Cd > Zn ≫ Pb > As. Results indicated that there was a higher health risk (child higher than adult) in the study area. Pb contributed to the highest Hazard Quotient (57.0 ~ 73.9 %) for the Hazard Index.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aelion, C. M., Davis, H. T., McDermott, S., & Lawson, A. B. (2008). Metal concentrations in rural topsoil in South Carolina: potential for human health impact. Science of the Total Environment, 402(2), 149–156.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Anju, M., & Banerjee, D. K. (2012). Multivariate statistical analysis of heavy metals in soils of a Pb–Zn mining area, India. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 184(7), 4191–4206.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bi, X., Feng, X., Yang, Y., Qiu, G., Li, G., Li, F., et al. (2006). Environmental contamination of heavy metals from zinc smelting areas in Hezhang County, western Guizhou, China. Environment International, 32(7), 883–890.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Candeias, C., Melo, R., Ávila, P. F., Ferreira da Silva, E., Salgueiro, A. R., & Teixeira, J. P. (2014). Heavy metal pollution in mine–soil–plant system in S. Francisco de Assis–Panasqueira mine (Portugal). Applied Geochemistry, 44, 12–26.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Canfield, R. L., Henderson Jr., C. R., Cory–Slechta, D. A., Cox, C., A., J. T., & P., L. B. (2003). Intellectual impairment in children with blood lead concentrations below 10 μg per deciliter. New England Journal of Medicine, 348(16), 1517–1526.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ebbinghaus, E., Kreeb, K., & Weinmann–Kreeb, R. (1997). GIS supported monitoring long–termed urban trace element loads with bark of Aesculus hippocastanum L. Journal of Applied Botany, 71(5–6), 205–211.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gilbert, R. O. (1987). Statistical methods for environmental pollution monitoring (pp. 177–185). New York: John Wiley& Sons, Inc..

    Google Scholar 

  • Gu, Y. G., Li, Q. S., Fang, J. H., He, B. Y., Fu, H. B., & Tong, Z. J. (2014). Identification of heavy metal sources in the reclaimed farmland soils of the pearl river estuary in China using a multivariate geostatistical approach. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 105, 7–12.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ha, H., Olson, J. R., Bian, L., & Rogerson, P. A. (2014). Analysis of heavy metal sources in soil using Kriging interpolation on principal components. Environmental Science & Technology, 48(4), 4999–5007.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Han, F., & Banin, A. (1995). Selective sequential dissolution techniques for trace metals in arid-zone soils: the carbonate dissolution step. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis, 26(3–4), 553–576.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Han, R. S., Liu, C. Q., Huang, Z. L., Chen, J., Ma, D. Y., Lei, L., et al. (2007). Geological features and origin of the Huize carbonatehosted Zn–Pb–(Ag) district, Yunnan, South China. Ore Geology Reviews, 31(1), 360–383.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huamain, C., Chunrong, Z., Cong, T., & Yongguan, Z. (1999). Heavy metal pollution in soils in China: status and countermeasures. Ambio, 28(2), 130–134.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hughes, M. F. (2002). Arsenic toxicity and potential mechanisms of action. Toxicology Letters, 133(1), 1–16.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ivartnik, M., & Eržen, I. (2010). The IEUBK model for lead blood burden prediction in children used in the exploration and remediation of the upper Meža valley environment. Slovenian Journal of Public Health, 49(2), 76–85.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jung, M. C., & Thornton, I. (1996). Heavy metal contamination of soils and plants in the vicinity of a leadzinc mine, Korea. Applied Geochemistry, 11(1), 53–59.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kaufmann, R. B., Staes, C. J., & Matte, T. D. (2003). Deaths related to lead poisoning in the United States, 1979–1998. Environmental Research, 91(2), 78–84.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Krysiak, A., & Karczewska, A. (2007). Arsenic extractability in soils in the areas of former arsenic mining and smelting, SW Poland. Science of the Total Environment, 379(2), 190–200.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, M. M., Wu-Williams, A., Whittemore, A. S., Zheng, S., Gallagher, R., Teh, C. Z., et al. (1994). Comparison of dietary habits, physical activity and body size among Chinese in North America and China. International Journal of Epidemiology, 23(5), 984–990.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lei, M., Zhang, Y., Khan, S., Qin, P.-F., & Liao, B.-H. (2010). Pollution, fractionation, and mobility of Pb, Cd, Cu, and Zn in garden and paddy soils from a Pb/Zn mining area. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 168(1), 215–222.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Leung, A. O., Duzgoren Aydin, N. S., Cheung, K., & Wong, M. H. (2008). Heavy metals concentrations of surface dust from ewaste recycling and its human health implications in Southeast China. Environmental Science & Technology, 42(7), 2674–2680.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li, H., Li, D., Xiao, T., He, L., Ning, Z., Sun, J., et al. (2008). Geochemistry and environmental effect of cadmium in the superlarge Jinding PbZn deposit, Yunnan Province, China. Chinese Journal of Geochemistry, 27(1), 21–27.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, Z., Feng, X., Li, G., Bi, X., Sun, G., Zhu, J., et al. (2011). Mercury and other metal and metalloid soil contamination near a Pb/Zn smelter in East Hunan province, China. Applied Geochemistry, 26(2), 160–166.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, W., Xu, B., Song, Q., Liu, X., Xu, J., & Brookes, P. C. (2014a). The identification of ‘hotspots’ of heavy metal pollution in soil–rice systems at a regional scale in eastern China. Science of the Total Environment, 472, 407–420.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li, Z., Ma, Z., Van der Kuijp, T. J., Yuan, Z., & Huang, L. (2014b). A review of soil heavy metal pollution from mines in China: pollution and health risk assessment. Science of the Total Environment, 468, 843–853.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, P., Lin, C., Cheng, H., Duan, X., & Lei, K. (2015). Contamination and health risks of soil heavy metals around a lead/zinc smelter in southwestern China. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 113, 391–399.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, H., Probst, A., & Liao, B. (2005). Metal contamination of soils and crops affected by the Chenzhou lead/zinc mine spill (Hunan, China). Science of the Total Environment, 339(13), 153–166.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, G., Xue, W., Tao, L., Liu, X., Hou, J., Wilton, M., et al. (2014). Vertical distribution and mobility of heavy metals in agricultural soils along Jishui River affected by Mining in Jiangxi Province, China. CLEAN–Soil, Air, Water, 42(10), 1450–1456.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Monterroso, C., Rodríguez, F., Chaves, R., Diez, J., Becerra Castro, C., Kidd, P., et al. (2014). Heavy metal distribution in minesoils and plants growing in a Pb/Znmining area in NW Spain. Applied Geochemistry, 44, 3–11.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Navarro, M., Pérez Sirvent, C., Martínez Sánchez, M., Vidal, J., Tovar, P., & Bech, J. (2008). Abandoned mine sites as a source of contamination by heavy metals: a case study in a semiarid zone. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 96(2), 183–193.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ordóñez, A., Loredo, J., De Miguel, E., & Charlesworth, S. (2003). Distribution of heavy metals in the street dusts and soils of an Industrial City in northern Spain. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 44(2), 160–170.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oves, M., Khan, M. S., Zaidi, A., & Ahmad, E. (2012). Soil contamination, nutritive value, and human health risk assessment of heavy metals: an overview. Toxicity of Heavy Metalsl to Legumes and Bioremediation. 1–27, Springer.

  • Pruvot, C., Douay, F., Hervé, F., & Waterlot, C. (2006). Heavy metals in soil, crops and grass as a source of human exposure in the former mining areas (6 pp). Journal of Soils and Sediments, 6(4), 215–220.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Qu, C., Sun, K., Wang, S., Huang, L., & Bi, J. (2012). Monte carlo simulationbased health risk assessment of heavy metal soil pollution: a case study in the Qixia mining area, China. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 18(4), 733–750.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Reeder, R. J. (1983). Carbonates: Mineralogy and Chemistry. Blacksburg: Mineralogical Society of America.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rodríguez, L., Ruiz, E., Alonso Azcárate, J., & Rincón, J. (2009). Heavy metal distribution and chemical speciation in tailings and soils around a Pb–Zn mine in Spain. Journal of Environmental Management, 90(2), 1106–1116.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rosen, V., & Chen, Y. (2014). The influence of compost addition on heavy metal distribution between operationally defined geochemical fractions and on metal accumulation in plant. Journal of Soils and Sediments, 14(4), 713–720.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • U.S. EPA. (2002). Soil screening levels for superfund sites. In soil screening levels for superfund sites. http://www.epa.gov/reg3hwmd/risk/human/rbconcentration_table/documents/SSG_nonrad_supplemental.pdf

  • U.S. EPA. (2012). Regional Screening Level (RSL) summary table. http://www.epa.gov/region9/superfund/prg/. Accessed 10 Jun 2014.

  • Zhang, C. (2006). Using multivariate analyses and GIS to identify pollutants and their spatial patterns in urban soils in Galway, Ireland. Environmental Pollution, 142(3), 501–511.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, X., Yang, L., Li, Y., Li, H., Wang, W., & Ye, B. (2012). Impacts of lead/zinc mining and smelting on the environment and human health in China. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 184(4), 2261–2273.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao, H., Xia, B., Fan, C., Zhao, P., & Shen, S. (2012). Human health risk from soil heavy metal contamination under different land uses near Dabaoshan mine, southern China. Science of the Total Environment, 417, 45–54.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zheng, N., Liu, J., Wang, Q., & Liang, Z. (2010). Health risk assessment of heavy metal exposure to street dust in the zinc smelting district, northeast of China. Science of the Total Environment, 408(4), 726–733.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou, J. M., Dang, Z., Cai, M. F., & Liu, C. Q. (2007). Soil heavy metal pollution around the Dabaoshan mine, Guangdong Province, China. Pedosphere, 17(5), 588–594.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhuang, P., McBride, M. B., Xia, H., Li, N., & Li, Z. (2009). Health risk from heavy metals via consumption of food crops in the vicinity of Dabaoshan mine, South China. Science of the Total Environment, 407(5), 1551–1561.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Żukowska, J., & Biziuk, M. (2008). Methodological evaluation of method for dietary heavy metal intake. Journal of Food Science, 73(2), 21–29.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This work was financially supported by the Environmental Protection Industry Research Special Funds for Public Welfare Projects of China (Grant No. 201409022 and 201509051), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 41203061), and the One Hundred-Talent Plant of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. South China Institute of Environmental Science, Ministry of Environmental Protection, Guangzhou, 510655, People’s Republic of China

    Jianying Qi & Hailong Zhang

  2. School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, People’s Republic of China

    Xiangping Li

  3. Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes and Ecological Remediation, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research (YIC), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), 17th Chunhui Road, Yantai, Shandong, 264003, People’s Republic of China

    Jian lu & Gaosheng Zhang

Authors
  1. Jianying Qi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Hailong Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Xiangping Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Jian lu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Gaosheng Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Xiangping Li or Gaosheng Zhang.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Qi, J., Zhang, H., Li, X. et al. Concentrations, spatial distribution, and risk assessment of soil heavy metals in a Zn-Pb mine district in southern China. Environ Monit Assess 188, 413 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-016-5406-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-016-5406-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation