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Accumulation behavior of toxic elements in the soil and plant from Xinzhuangzi reclaimed mining areas, China

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Abstract

The concentration and distribution characteristics of toxic elements in soil and plant were investigated in the coal refuse reclaimed areas of Huainan, China. Ninety soil samples from different depth (0–20, 20–40, 40–60 cm) and 120 plant samples were collected based on grid sampling method. The concentrations of the selected toxic elements (As, Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) in the soil and plant samples were determined by using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The elevated concentrations of toxic elements in the soils at the depth of 20–40 and 40–60 cm suggested that the coal refuse reclamation may lead to potential environmental impacts. The toxic element tolerance could be observed in all the selected plant samples. The concentrations of toxic elements in the underground tissues were higher than that of aboveground tissues. Conclusively, the present study provided a comprehensive evaluation of soil and plant toxic element implications from coal refuse reclaimed areas in China and was also helpful for environmental protection and monitoring the safety of plant.

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Acknowledgements

This work is supported by the National Science and Technology Support Program (1012BAC10B02), Joint Project of Anhui University and the Creative Project of National Engineering Laboratory for Protection of Colliery Eco-environment. We acknowledge editors and reviewers for polishing the language of the paper and for in-depth discussion.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei, 230031, Anhui, China

    Yongchun Chen & Liang Yuan

  2. National Engineering Laboratory for Protection of Colliery Eco-environment, Huainan, 232001, Anhui, China

    Yongchun Chen, Liang Yuan & Chong Xu

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  1. Yongchun Chen
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  2. Liang Yuan
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Correspondence to Yongchun Chen.

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Chen, Y., Yuan, L. & Xu, C. Accumulation behavior of toxic elements in the soil and plant from Xinzhuangzi reclaimed mining areas, China. Environ Earth Sci 76, 226 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-017-6535-7

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