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Evaluation and source identification of trace element contamination of soils in the Qixia lead-zinc mining area, Jiangsu, China

  • SOILS, SEC 3 • REMEDIATION AND MANAGEMENT OF CONTAMINATED OR DEGRADED LANDS • RESEARCH ARTICLE
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Abstract

Purpose

The Qixia mine is one of the largest lead-zinc mines in Eastern China and has been operational for approximately 60 years. Source identification for trace element contamination of soils in the Qixia mining area has been lacking. This report details the evaluation and source identification of trace element contamination (including Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, Hg, Cr, As, and Ni) of soils in this area.

Materials and methods

Thirty-three soil samples from roadsides and fields in the study area were collected and analyzed. The index of geo-accumulation (I geo) was employed to evaluate contamination. Methods of multivariate statistical analysis were used to determine the probable sources of the pollutants.

Results and discussion

The analysis showed that the levels of contamination ranked in the following order: Cd > Pb/Zn> > As/Cu> > Hg > Cr/Ni. In the sampling area nearest the mine, soil samples collected from roadsides showed much higher levels of contamination than those collected from fields away from the roadways. Trace element contamination decreased as the distance from the mine increased. Contamination extended to a distance of approximately 700 m from mineral transportation routes, with the area of greatest impact at 200 m or less. Multivariate statistical analysis and ore composition data suggest that the Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, and As found in the soil samples originate from anthropogenic sources. Ni and Cr are considered to be at natural background concentrations.

Conclusions

This study distinguished between natural and anthropogenic sources of trace element contamination in the soils of the Qixia mining area. The contamination of Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, and As is linked to the mining activities and is likely due to the transportation of ore concentrates and tailings.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the Chinese Natural Sciences Foundation (41271014 & 41171411), the Chinese Natural Sciences Youth Foundation (41201545), and the Jiangsu Province Science and Technology Supporting Foundation (BE2013720). The authors would also like to thank John Londergan and Lucy S. Tashman for assistance rendered to improve the language.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Xianlin Campus, Box 624, 163 Xianlin Avenue, 210023, Nanjing, China

    Zongwei Ma, Changsheng Qu, Jun Bi & Lei Huang

  2. Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 155 Changbai Road, 102206, Beijing, China

    Tiantian Li

  3. Jiangsu Provincial Academy of Environmental Science, 241 West Fenghuang Street, 210036, Nanjing, China

    Changsheng Qu

Authors
  1. Zongwei Ma
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  2. Tiantian Li
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  3. Changsheng Qu
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  4. Jun Bi
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  5. Lei Huang
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lei Huang.

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Responsible editor: Jean-Paul Schwitzguébel

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Ma, Z., Li, T., Qu, C. et al. Evaluation and source identification of trace element contamination of soils in the Qixia lead-zinc mining area, Jiangsu, China. J Soils Sediments 14, 1703–1712 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-014-0900-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-014-0900-x

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