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Heavy metal contamination and risk assessment in water, paddy soil, and rice around an electroplating plant

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Abstract

Purpose

The objective of this paper is to assess the impact of long-term electroplating industrial activities on heavy metal contamination in agricultural soils and potential health risks for local residents.

Methods

Water, soil, and rice samples were collected from sites upstream (control) and downstream of the electroplating wastewater outlet. The concentrations of heavy metals were determined by an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Fractionation and risk assessment code (RAC) were used to evaluate the environmental risks of heavy metals in soils. The health risk index (HRI) and hazard index (HI) were calculated to assess potential health risks to local populations through rice consumption.

Results

Hazardous levels of Cu, Cr, and Ni were observed in water and paddy soils at sites near the plant. According to the RAC analysis, the soils showed a high risk for Ni and a medium risk for Cu and Cr at certain sites. The rice samples were primarily contaminated with Ni, followed by Cr and Cu. HRI values >1 were not found for any heavy metal. However, HI values for adults and children were 2.075 and 1.808, respectively.

Conclusion

Water, paddy soil, and rice from the studied area have been contaminated by Cu, Cr, and Ni. The contamination of these elements is related to the electroplating wastewater. Although no single metal poses health risks for local residents through rice consumption, the combination of several metals may threaten the health of local residents. Cu and Ni are the key components contributing to the potential health risks.

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Acknowledgements

This research was sponsored by the Natural Science Foundation of China (41001186 and 41063004), the Scientific Research and Technological Development Project of Guangxi (GuiKeGong 10124003-3), and the Natural Science Foundation of Guangxi (2010GXNSFA013018 and 2011GXNSFF018003). Financial assistance for this research was also provided through the Program to Sponsor Teams for Innovation in the Construction of Talent Highlands in Guangxi (GuiKeRen 2007-71). Two anonymous reviewers are thanked for their cogent reviews of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Guangxi Key Laboratory of Environmental Engineering, Protection and Assessment, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin, Guangxi, 541004, China

    Jie Liu, Xue-Hong Zhang, Dun-Qiu Wang & Yi-Nian Zhu

  2. Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720-3102, USA

    Henry Tran

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  1. Jie Liu
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  2. Xue-Hong Zhang
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  3. Henry Tran
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  4. Dun-Qiu Wang
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  5. Yi-Nian Zhu
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Correspondence to Jie Liu.

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Responsible editor: Elena Maestri

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Liu, J., Zhang, XH., Tran, H. et al. Heavy metal contamination and risk assessment in water, paddy soil, and rice around an electroplating plant. Environ Sci Pollut Res 18, 1623–1632 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-011-0523-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-011-0523-3

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