Ecological risk assessment of arsenic, cadmium, copper, and lead contamination in soil in e-waste separating household area, Buriram province, Thailand

Amphalop, Nisakorn; Suwantarat, Natcha; Prueksasit, Tassanee; Yachusri, Chokchai; Srithongouthai, Sarawut

doi:10.1007/s11356-020-10325-x

Research Article
Published: 07 August 2020

Ecological risk assessment of arsenic, cadmium, copper, and lead contamination in soil in e-waste separating household area, Buriram province, Thailand

Nisakorn Amphalop¹,
Natcha Suwantarat¹,
Tassanee Prueksasit ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0001-6597-7021^1,2,
Chokchai Yachusri^1,2 &
Sarawut Srithongouthai^1,2

Environmental Science and Pollution Research volume 27, pages 44396–44411 (2020)Cite this article

467 Accesses
5 Citations
Metrics details

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the arsenic (As), copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) concentrations in the soil at e-waste separating houses in Buriram province. Soil samples were collected from five e-waste separating and five non-separating houses in each of two neighboring communities and from six reference houses located approximately 4 km away from the e-waste community. At each selected house, the surface (0–15-cm depth) and the subsurface (15–30-cm depths) soils were taken to be digested by a microwave digester and then analyzed for the heavy metal contents by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The As, Pb, and Cd levels in the e-waste separating sites ranged from < 0.012 to 1.380, 0.110 to 15.283, and < 0.014 to 0.284 mg/kg, respectively, which were not in excess of the Thai standard level for residential soil (As = 3.9, Pb = 400, and Cd = 37 mg/kg), while Cu ranged from 1.180 to 380.413 mg/kg and exceeded the intervention value (190 mg/kg) of contaminated soil at three sites from a total of ten sampling sites. The physical e-waste dismantling activity enhanced the As, Cd, and Cu contamination levels in the surface soils. Ecological risk assessment revealed that the risk posed by the heavy metals in soils was higher at the e-waste separating houses than those at the non-separating sites and was mainly attributed to the levels of Cu > As > Cd > Pb for the surface soils and Cd > Cu > As > Pb for the subsurface soil. The association of the heavy metal soil levels with e-waste activity showed that if the e-waste activities were continuously operated, the As and Cu levels in the surface soil were more likely to exceed those levels in the reference houses. A good procedure for e-waste dismantling is necessary to be developed and implemented to prevent soil contamination and other related environmental problems.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

43,34 €

Price includes VAT (Finland)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

References

Alloway BJ (2012) Heavy metals in soils: trace metals and metalloids in soils and their bioavailability, vol 22. Springer Science & Business Media
Boone RD, Grigal DF, Sollins P, Ahrens RJ, Armstrong DE (1999) Soil sampling, preparation, archiving, and quality control. In: Standard soil methods for long-term ecological research. Oxford University Press, New York, pp 3–28
Google Scholar
Boulding JR (2017) Description and sampling of contaminated soils: a field guide. Eastern Research Group, Massachusetts
Google Scholar
Bouyoucos GJ (1962) Hydrometer method improved for making particle size analyses of soils 1. Agron J 54:464–465
Article Google Scholar
Covelo EF, Vega FA, Andrade ML (2007a) Simultaneous sorption and desorption of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn in acid soils: I. Selectivity sequences. J Hazard Mater 147:852–861. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2007.01.123
CAS Article Google Scholar
Covelo EF, Vega FA, Andrade ML (2007b) Simultaneous sorption and desorption of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn in acid soils: II. Soil ranking and influence of soil characteristics. J Hazard Mater 147:862–870. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2007.01.108
CAS Article Google Scholar
Damrongsiri S, Vassanadumrongdee S, Tanwattana P (2016) Heavy metal contamination characteristic of soil in WEEE (waste electrical and electronic equipment) dismantling community: a case study of Bangkok, Thailand. Environ Sci Pollut Res 23:17026–17034. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-016-6897-5
CAS Article Google Scholar
Deka J, Sarma H (2012) Heavy metal contamination in soil in an industrial zone and its relation with some soil properties. Scholars Res Lib Arch Appl Sci Res 4:831–836
CAS Google Scholar
Erbanova L, Novak M, Fottova D, Dousova B (2008) Export of arsenic from forested catchments under easing atmospheric pollution. Environ Sci Technol 42:7187–7192. https://doi.org/10.1021/es800467j
CAS Article Google Scholar
European Union (2012) Directive 2012/19/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 July 2012 on waste electrical and electronic equipment, WEEE. Off J Eur Union L 197:38–71
Google Scholar
Farid G, Sarwar N, Saifullah AA, Ghafoor A, Rehman M (2015) Heavy metals (Cd, Ni and Pb) contamination of soils, plants and waters in Madina Town of Faisalabad Metropolitan and preparation of GIS based maps. Adv Crop Sci Technol 4. https://doi.org/10.4172/2329-8863.1000199
Fujimori T, Takigami H (2014) Pollution distribution of heavy metals in surface soil at an informal electronic-waste recycling site. Environ Geochem Health 36:159–168. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-013-9526-y
CAS Article Google Scholar
Ha NN, Agusa T, Ramu K, Tu NPC, Murata S, Bulbule KA, Parthasaraty P, Takahashi S, Subramanian A, Tanabe S (2009) Contamination by trace elements at e-waste recycling sites in Bangalore, India. Chemosphere 76:9–15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2009.02.056
CAS Article Google Scholar
Hakanson L (1980) An ecological risk index for aquatic pollution control. A sedimentological approach. Water Res 14:975–1001
Article Google Scholar
Han W, Gao G, Geng J, Li Y, Wang Y (2018) Ecological and health risks assessment and spatial distribution of residual heavy metals in the soil of an e-waste circular economy park in Tianjin, China. Chemosphere 197:325–335. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.01.043
CAS Article Google Scholar
Han Y, Tang Z, Sun J, Xing X, Zhang M, Cheng J (2019) Heavy metals in soil contaminated through e-waste processing activities in a recycling area: implications for risk management. Process Saf Environ Prot 125:189–196. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psep.2019.03.020
CAS Article Google Scholar
He K, Sun Z, Hu Y, Zeng X, Yu Z, Cheng H (2017) Comparison of soil heavy metal pollution caused by e-waste recycling activities and traditional industrial operations. Environ Sci Pollut Res 24:9387–9398. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-8548-x
CAS Article Google Scholar
Isimekhai KA, Garelick H, Watt J, Purchase D (2017) Heavy metals distribution and risk assessment in soil from an informal E-waste recycling site in Lagos State, Nigeria. Environ Sci Pollut Res 24:17206–17219. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-8877-9
CAS Article Google Scholar
Jinhui L, Huabo D, Pixing S (2011) Heavy metal contamination of surface soil in electronic waste dismantling area: site investigation and source-apportionment analysis. Waste Manag Res 29:727–738. https://doi.org/10.1177/0734242X10397580
CAS Article Google Scholar
Jun-hui Z, Hang M (2009) Eco-toxicity and metal contamination of paddy soil in an e-wastes recycling area. J Hazard Mater 165:744–750. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2008.10.056
CAS Article Google Scholar
Kitsopoulos KP (1999) Cation-exchange capacity (CEC) of zeolitic volcaniclastic materials: applicability of the ammonium acetate saturation (AMAS) method. Clay Clay Miner 47:688–696. https://doi.org/10.1346/ccmn.1999.0470602
CAS Article Google Scholar
Korte N, Skopp J, Fuller W, Niebla E, Alesii B (1976) Trace element movement in soils: influence of soil physical and chemical properties. Soil Sci 122:350–359
CAS Article Google Scholar
Kubier A, Wilkin RT, Pichler T (2019) Cadmium in soils and groundwater: a review. Appl Geochem:104388. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2019.104388
Kyere VN, Greve K, Atiemo SM (2016) Spatial assessment of soil contamination by heavy metals from informal electronic waste recycling in Agbogbloshie, Ghana. Environ Anal Health Toxicol 31:2016006–2016000. https://doi.org/10.5620/eht.e2016006
Article Google Scholar
Leung A (2019) Chapter 15—environmental contamination and health effects due to e-waste recycling. In: Prasad MNV, Vithanage M (eds) Electronic waste management and treatment technology. Butterworth-Heinemann, Oxford, pp 335–362
Chapter Google Scholar
Leung A, Cai ZW, Wong MH (2006) Environmental contamination from electronic waste recycling at Guiyu, southeast China. J Mater Cycles Waste Manag 8:21–33. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10163-005-0141-6
CAS Article Google Scholar
Lima ESA, Amaral Sobrinho NMB, Pérez DV, Coutinho IB (2016) Comparing methods for extracting heavy metals from Histosols for establishing quality reference values. Rev Bras Ciênc Solo 40:e0150097. https://doi.org/10.1590/18069657RBCS20150097
Article Google Scholar
Link DD, Walter PJ, Kingston H (1998) Development and validation of the new EPA microwave-assisted leach method 3051A. Environ Sci Technol 32:3628–3632
CAS Article Google Scholar
Liu M, Huang B, Bi X, Ren Z, Sheng G, Fu J (2013) Heavy metals and organic compounds contamination in soil from an e-waste region in South China. Environ Sci Process Impacts 15:919–929. https://doi.org/10.1039/C3EM00043E
CAS Article Google Scholar
Luo C, Liu C, Wang Y, Liu X, Li F, Zhang G, Li X (2011) Heavy metal contamination in soils and vegetables near an e-waste processing site, south China. J Hazard Mater 186:481–490. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2010.11.024
CAS Article Google Scholar
Mihai FC, Gnoni MG, Meidiana C, Ezeah C, Elia V (2019) Chapter 1—raste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE): flows, quantities, and management—a global scenario. In: Prasad MNV, Vithanage M (eds) Electronic waste management and treatment technology. Butterworth-Heinemann, Oxford, pp 1–34. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-816190-6.00001-7
Chapter Google Scholar
Oguri T, Suzuki G, Matsukami H, Uchida N, Tue NM, Tuyen LH, Viet PH, Takahashi S, Tanabe S, Takigami H (2018) Exposure assessment of heavy metals in an e-waste processing area in northern Vietnam. Sci Total Environ 621:1115–1123. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.10.115
CAS Article Google Scholar
Olafisoye OB, Adefioye T, Osibote OA (2013) Heavy metals contamination of water, soil, and plants around an electronic waste dumpsite. Pol J Environ Stud 22:1431–1439
CAS Google Scholar
Pansu M, Gautheyrou J (2007) Handbook of soil analysis: mineralogical, organic and inorganic methods. Springer Science & Business Media, New York
Google Scholar
Puangprasert S, Prueksasit T (2019) Health risk assessment of airborne Cd, Cu, Ni and Pb for electronic waste dismantling workers in Buriram Province, Thailand. J Environ Manag 252:109601. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2019.109601
CAS Article Google Scholar
Qian J, Shan X-q, Wang Z-j, Tu Q (1996) Distribution and plant availability of heavy metals in different particle-size fractions of soil. Sci Total Environ 187:131–141. https://doi.org/10.1016/0048-9697(96)05134-0
CAS Article Google Scholar
Qiao P, Lei M, Guo G, Yang J, Zhou X, Chen T (2017) Quantitative analysis of the factors influencing soil heavy metal lateral migration in rainfalls based on geographical detector software: a case study in Huanjiang county, China. Sustainability 9:1227
Article Google Scholar
Qiu R, Lin M, Ruan J, Fu Y, Hu J, Deng M, Tang Y, Qiu R (2020) Recovering full metallic resources from waste printed circuit boards: a refined review. J Clean Prod 244:118690. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.118690
CAS Article Google Scholar
Rieuwerts JS, Thornton I, Farago ME, Ashmore MR (1998) Factors influencing metal bioavailability in soils: preliminary investigations for the development of a critical loads approach for metals. Chem Speciat Bioavailab 10:61–75. https://doi.org/10.3184/095422998782775835
CAS Article Google Scholar
Santos SN, Alleoni LRF (2013) Methods for extracting heavy metals in soils from the southwestern Amazon, Brazil. Water Air Soil Pollut 224:1430. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-012-1430-z
CAS Article Google Scholar
Seiter JM, Lanzirotti A, Saylor W, Sims T (2009) The fate and speciation of arsenic in soils and poultry production systems. Dissertation, University of Delaware
Silva Y, Biondi C (2013) Comparison of USEPA digestion methods to heavy metals in soil samples. Environ Monit Assess 186:47–53. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-013-3354-5
CAS Article Google Scholar
Tang X, Shen C, Shi D, Cheema SA, Khan MI, Zhang C, Chen Y (2010) Heavy metal and persistent organic compound contamination in soil from Wenling: an emerging e-waste recycling city in Taizhou area, China. J Hazard Mater 173:653–660. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2009.08.134
CAS Article Google Scholar
Thai Ministry of Public Health (2014) E-waste situation in Thailand. Department of health. Accessed 16 Nov 2017 (in Thai)
Thai Office of National Environment Board (2014) Standard level for residential soil. National Environment Board of Thailand. http://www.onep.go.th/topics/20748/. Accessed 13 May 2018 (in Thai)
Thongkaimook A (2017) E-waste Management in Thailand. https://www.env.go.jp/recycle/3r/en/s_officials/08_02/03.pdf. Accessed 17 Nov 2017 (in Thai)
Torri S, Correa R (2012) Review Article Downward movement of potentially toxic elements in biosolids amended soils. Appl Environ Soil Sci 7. https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/145724
Turer D, Maynard JB, Sansalone JJ (2001) Heavy metal contamination in soils of urban highways comparison between runoff and soil concentrations at Cincinnati, Ohio. Water Air Soil Pollut 132:293–314. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1013290130089
CAS Article Google Scholar
USEPA (2007) Method 3051A (SW-846): microwave assisted acid digestion of sediments, sludges, and oils. Washinton, DC
Vassanadumrongdee S (2014) Heavy metal contamination in soil in e-waste recycling area in Thailand. Environmental Research Institute Chulalongkorn University. http://www.eric.chula.ac.th/download/ew58/ew_pocd.pdf. Accessed 16 Nov 2017 (in Thai)
Vassanadumrongdee S, Manomaivibool P (2012) E-waste management. Center of Excellence on Hazardous Substance Management http://www.hsm.chula.ac.th/research/paper/e-wate_management/e-wate_management1.pdf. http://www.hsm.chula.ac.th/research/paper/e-wate_management/e-wate_management1.pdf. Accessed 17 Nov 2017 (in Thai)
VROM I (1994) values and target values: soil quality standards. Netherlands Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and Environment, Department of Soil Protection, The Hague, Netherlands
Walkley A, Black IA (1934) An examination of the Degtjareff method for determining soil organic matter, and a proposed modification of the chromic acid titration method. Soil Sci 37:29–38
CAS Article Google Scholar
Withayaanumas S (2017) E-waste management in Thailand. https://tdri.or.th/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/wb133.pdf. Accessed 6 Jun 2019 (in Thai)
Wu C, Luo Y, Deng S, Teng Y, Song J (2014) Spatial characteristics of cadmium in topsoils in a typical e-waste recycling area in southeast China and its potential threat to shallow groundwater. Sci Total Environ 472:556–561. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.11.084
CAS Article Google Scholar
Wu Q, Leung JYS, Geng X, Chen S, Huang X, Li H, Huang Z, Zhu L, Chen J, Lu Y (2015) Heavy metal contamination of soil and water in the vicinity of an abandoned e-waste recycling site: implications for dissemination of heavy metals. Sci Total Environ 506-507:217–225. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.10.121
CAS Article Google Scholar
Wu W, Wu P, Yang F, D-l S, Zhang D-X, Zhou Y-K (2018) Assessment of heavy metal pollution and human health risks in urban soils around an electronics manufacturing facility. Sci Total Environ 630:53–61. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.02.183
CAS Article Google Scholar
Yuan Z, Yuan Y, Liu W, Ruan J, Li Y, Fan Y, Qiu R (2019) Heat evolution and energy analysis of cyanide bioproduction by a cyanogenic microorganism with the potential for bioleaching of precious metals. J Hazard Mater 377:284–289. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2019.05.051
CAS Article Google Scholar
Zhang W-H, Wu Y-X, Simonnot MO (2012) Soil contamination due to e-waste disposal and recycling activities: a review with special focus on China. Pedosphere 22:434–455. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1002-0160(12)60030-7
CAS Article Google Scholar
Zhao K, Liu X, Xu J, Selim HM (2010) Heavy metal contaminations in a soil–rice system: identification of spatial dependence in relation to soil properties of paddy fields. J Hazard Mater 181:778–787. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2010.05.081
CAS Article Google Scholar
Zhao WT, Ding L, Gu X, Luo J, Liu Y, Guo L, Shi Y, Huang T, Cheng S (2015) Levels and ecological risk assessment of metals in soils from a typical e-waste recycling region in southeast China. Ecotoxicology 24:1947–1960. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-015-1532-7
CAS Article Google Scholar
Zhu J, Chen X, Yao Z, Yin Y, Lin K, Liu H, Huang J, Ruan J, Qiu R (2019) Directional concentration of bromine from nonmetallic particles of crushed waste printed circuit boards by vacuum-gasification-condensation. J Clean Prod 231:462–467. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.05.169
CAS Article Google Scholar

Download references

Acknowledgments

This project was supported by the Research Program of Municipal Solid Waste and Hazardous Waste Management, Center of Excellence on Hazardous Substance Management (HSM), the S&T Postgraduate Education and Research Development Office (PERDO), the Office of Higher Education Commission (OHEC). We thank the Interdisciplinary Program in Environmental Science, Graduate School, Chulalongkorn University, for supporting the AAS for heavy metal analysis. Our grateful thanks are also extended to the local public health officers for kind cooperation and all house owners in villages for sharing their space for our soil sampling.

Author information

Affiliations

Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
Nisakorn Amphalop, Natcha Suwantarat, Tassanee Prueksasit, Chokchai Yachusri & Sarawut Srithongouthai
Research Program of Municipal Solid Waste and Hazardous Waste Management, Center of Excellence on Hazardous Substance Management (HSM), Bangkok, Thailand
Tassanee Prueksasit, Chokchai Yachusri & Sarawut Srithongouthai

Authors

Nisakorn Amphalop
View author publications
You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar
Natcha Suwantarat
View author publications
You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar
Tassanee Prueksasit
View author publications
You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar
Chokchai Yachusri
View author publications
You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar
Sarawut Srithongouthai
View author publications
You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

All authors carried out the conceptualizing research ideas. A site investigation was navigated by Tassanee Prueksasit, Chokchai Yachusri, and Sarawut Srithongouthai. Nisakorn Amphalop and Natcha Suwantarat performed soil collection, soil preparation, heavy metal analysis, and data analysis. The interpretation of advanced statistical analysis was recommended by Chokchai Yachusri. The original draft of the manuscript was performed and prepared by Nisakorn Amphalop and Tassanee Prueksasit. Tassanee Prueksasit reviewed and edited the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Tassanee Prueksasit.

Additional information

Publisher’s note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Responsible Editor: Kitae Baek

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Amphalop, N., Suwantarat, N., Prueksasit, T. et al. Ecological risk assessment of arsenic, cadmium, copper, and lead contamination in soil in e-waste separating household area, Buriram province, Thailand. Environ Sci Pollut Res 27, 44396–44411 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-10325-x

Download citation

Received: 05 May 2020
Accepted: 30 July 2020
Published: 07 August 2020
Issue Date: December 2020
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-10325-x

Keywords

Arsenic
Cadmium
Copper
Lead
E-waste dismantling
Heavy metal contamination
Ecological risk assessment