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1.
以金矿开发影响的黄河二级支流太峪水系沉积物为研究对象,沿河采集16个表层沉积物样品,分层采集垂向剖面10件水库沉积物样品,测定了样品中重金属元素Hg、Pb、Cd、Cr、As、Cu和Zn的含量,采用Hakanson潜在生态指数法和Tomlinson污染负荷指数法评价重金属元素污染程度和潜在生态风险。结果表明,矿业活动是太峪水系沉积物重金属元素污染的主要因素;变异系数、富集系数和最高污染系数均反映Hg、Pb、Cd是太峪水系沉积物的特征污染重金属元素,Cr和As的质量分数接近地区背景值;太峪水系表层沉积物受到重金属元素的极强污染,山区段污染较山外更严重;整个流域的Hg、Pb、Cd具有很强的潜在生态危害,Cr、As、Zn的潜在生态危害轻微;太峪水系沉积物垂向各层沉积物都受到重金属元素的极强污染,生态问题以Hg、Pb、Cd的潜在生态危害为主,其污染和生态危害程度都高于流向上的沉积物。潜在生态危害指数评价突出了不同元素的毒性和危害程度,而污染负荷指数法侧重于样本空间上的污染程度,二者互补使用有利于实际问题的全面评价。 相似文献
2.
【研究目的】白洋淀为雄安新区核心生态功能区,为支撑白洋淀湿地生态修复与保护,系统开展了全淀区表层沉积物环境质量调查。【研究方法】在白洋淀湿地采集表层沉积物样品484组,查明了白洋淀表层沉积物重金属地球化学特征,并采用地累积指数法、潜在生态风险指数法等多种方法开展了重金属生态风险评价。【研究结果】白洋淀表层沉积物重金属含量普遍偏高于河北省表层土壤重金属含量背景值,府河入淀口及白沟引河入淀口为重金属元素主要富集区,入淀河流输入为白洋淀重金属主要来源;环境地球化学综合评价结果为清洁无污染等级分布面积144.54 km2,占表层沉积物分布总面积的96.68%;各重金属污染程度由重到轻排序为Cd＞Cu＞Hg＞Pb＞Zn＞Ni＞Cr＞As,Cd元素污染程度等级以中度和偏中度为主,Cu元素以轻度和清洁为主,其他元素以清洁无污染为主;重金属潜在生态风险以轻度和中度为主,河流入淀口所在淀区重金属潜在生态风险高于其他淀区,潜在生态风险由高到低排序为南刘庄＞烧车淀＞小白洋淀＞王家寨＞藻苲淀＞捞王淀＞池鱼淀＞泛鱼淀。【结论】白洋淀表层沉积物环境质量总体较好,南刘庄等局部淀区存在重金属污染潜在生态风险,以Cd元素污染最为突出。创新点：采用地累积指数法、潜在生态风险指数法等多种方法,系统评价白洋淀湿地表层沉积物重金属污染程度和生态风险;重金属地球化学特征分析与主成分分析法相结合,揭示表层沉积物重金属污染主要来源为河流输入。 相似文献
3.
Potential ecological risk assessment of heavy metal contamination in sediment and water body around Dhaka export processing zone,Bangladesh 总被引：3，自引：2，他引：1
Sediments and surface water contamination by the industrial effluents containing heavy metals is the most detrimental environmental impact. Therefore, the present work attempts to determine the status of eight heavy metal distribution in sediments and water samples, and their ecological risks’ assessment in the studied area. The distribution pattern of heavy metals in the water and sediment follows the sequences: Zn > Cu > Pb > Cr > Mn > Ni > As > Cd and Mn > Zn > Cr > Pb > Cu > Ni > As > Cd, respectively. Gross water pollution is observed at different sampling points of Dhalai Beel and Bangshi River. The comparison of sedimentary mean metal concentrations with several environmental contamination monitoring parameters, viz, threshold effect level (TEL), probable effect level (PEL), and severe effect lever (SEL) indicates that the metal levels are less than PEL except Cr. Moreover, the level of contamination degree (C d) and modified degree of contamination (mC d) indicates ‘low’ and ‘nil to low’ degree of contamination, respectively. Pollution load indices (PLI) of the studied area are lower than unity, indicates no pollution. Furthermore, a toxic-response factor is applied to assess the potential ecological risk of these heavy metals into the water body. The results of this study exhibit a low potential ecological risk of heavy metals. The Pearson’s correlation and cluster analysis are also performed to assess the heavy metal interactions in water and sediment samples. 相似文献
4.
中国东北黑龙江流域作为重工业基地和商品粮基地,水体、沉积物和土壤的重金属污染非常值得关注。作者采集了黑龙江流域从上游干旱区到下游三江平原的河水、湖水、地下水和河床沉积物样品,分析重金属元素含量,运用不同指标评估了流域的水资源安全和沉积物的污染风险程度。研究结果显示,在黑龙江流域上游干旱区,部分地表水和地下水的As含量超过了中国生活饮用水卫生标准,最多接近7倍,上游地区居民的用水安全需要引起有关部门的关注。通过内梅罗指数法（P 综合）和潜在生态危害指数（RI ）的综合评估表明,黑龙江流域沉积物的总体生态风险较低。单个重金属元素中,Cd在大部分流域存在中等生态风险,有3个沉积物样品展现出较高生态风险。Cd作为危害中国耕地土壤和人类健康的主要重金属元素,在黑龙江流域同样也需要予以重点关注。 相似文献
5.
滦河流域沉积物中重金属分布特征及风险评价 总被引：3，自引：0，他引：3
沉积物作为重金属污染物的源和汇,对水环境有着至关重要的影响.为了全面了解滦河沉积物中重金属污染现状,采用电感耦合等离子体质谱法对滦河干支流沉积物中重金属含量进行了测定,分析了其空间分布,并采用潜在生态危害指数法对滦河沉积物进行了评价.结果表明:滦河沉积物中Cr、Ni、Cu、Zn、Cd 和Pb的平均含量分别为60.40、26.15、48.07、76.42、0.30、25.55 mg/kg,其中Cu和Cd含量高于中国水系沉积物背景值.滦河干流的重金属含量空间分布自上游往下游呈逐渐增加趋势.潜在生态危害指数评价结果表明:不同重金属污染对滦河流域生态风险构成的危害由强至弱依次为:Cd＞Cu ＞Pb＞Cr＞ Zn,其中Cu、Pb、Cr和Zn为低生态危害等级,Cd以中等生态危害等级为主.总体上,滦河沉积物重金属处于中等生态危害等级,干流大黑汀水库和支流瀑河宽域处于强生态危害等级. 相似文献
6.
为查清高邮湖底泥及出入湖河口表层沉积物重金属分布特征,评价其潜在生态风险,以湖区及周边25个底泥和沉积物样品为载体,重点研究8种重金属元素,选用单因子污染指数法、内梅罗综合指数法、地累积指数法和潜在生态风险指数法,相似比对重金属污染等级及评价潜在生态风险。测试数据表明,8种重金属元素中,仅Hg含量（平均值）未超过里下河浅洼平原表层土壤重金属元素背景值,As含量（最大值）超过农用地土壤污染风险筛选值。Pearson相关系数矩阵表明,重金属元素Ni与Cr、Pb、Zn、Cu之间具显著同源性;单因子污染指数法与内梅罗综合指数法评价结果显示,污染指数均值排序均为As＞Cd＞Pb＞Cu＞Zn＞Ni＞Cr＞Hg,但对As、Cd评价前者为轻度污染,后者为中度污染;地累积指数Igeo显示,仅As为轻度污染,其余元素均为无污染状态。沉积物单项潜在生态风险指数排序为Cd＞Hg＞As＞Pb＞Cu＞Ni＞Cr＞Zn,仅Cd属中风险,其余元素为低风险;研究区综合潜在生态风险指数RI均值为115.7,表明全区总体生态风险属于低风险状态,重金属有沿入湖河口向湖心区富集趋势。 相似文献
7.
The heavy metal burden of Akkulam–Veli Lake, a shallow lake in southern part of India, is investigated through the analysis of surface sediments. The average concentrations of heavy metals such as lead, chromium, nickel, copper, zinc, cobalt, iron, and manganese were determined at selected stations. The degree of contamination of selected stations was evaluated using indices such as enrichment factor, contamination factor, and pollution load index and compared with sediment quality guidelines. Statistical analysis is carried out by correlation analysis and hierarchical clustering analysis to identify relatively homogeneous groups of cases. The results of this study indicate severe contamination at most of the stations selected. The degree of contamination of the lake could be rated as ‘moderate’ to ‘strong’. The average pollution load index shows progressive deterioration of sediment quality indicating ‘risk’ on the aquatic environment and ecosystems of the lake. 相似文献
8.
Nesrine Ouchir Lassaâd Ben Aissa Mabrouk Boughdiri Abdelwaheb Aydi 《Arabian Journal of Geosciences》2016,9(9):539
The aim of this study was to determine the concentration of Pb, Zn, Cu, Cd, Cr, and Fe in sediments of the Ichkeul Lake and rivers ecosystem in northern Tunisia; their comparison with international sediment quality criteria was also proposed to assess the extent of metal pollution and their origin using various pollution indicators. For this purpose, sediment samples were collected in thirteen locations and characterized for metal content (Pb, Cr, Zn, Cu, Cd, and Fe) using the total digestion technique. Pollution level was assessed via the geoaccumulation index (Igeo), enrichment factor (EF), contamination factor (C ), potential ecological risk (PER), and pollution load index (PLI). Our results showed that all metals were lower than the threshold effect levels (TEL), the effect range low (ERL), the probable effect level (PEL), the effect range median (ERM), and the probable effect concentration (PEC) value, except Pb and Cr (higher than TEL), the threshold effect concentration (TEC), and the toxicity reference value (TRV). The geoaccumulation index (Igeo) indicated no pollution for Cr, Cu, Zn, and Fe, but moderate pollution for Pb. The enrichment factor showed no enrichment for most of the studied metals. This was further confirmed by the contamination factor that indicated low contamination levels, with the exception of Pb. The pollution load index (PLI) showed moderate pollution status in all the studied stations in the Ichkeul Lake and rivers ecosystem. The statistical results presented similar trends of Zn and Pb probably due to their similar pollution sources. It was found that the Ichkeul Lake and river ecosystems are characterized by moderate pollution status in all the studied sites except for that of a feeder river drained from an old lead mine which had relatively high metallic concentrations of Pb and Cd. It can be argued that effective remediation strategies and environmental management plans are required to control and reduce the input of environmentally hazardous toxic pollutants (Cd and Pb). This study may serve as a useful reference tool pertinent to approaches to the remediation of the old lead mine area surrounding the Ichkeul Lake as well as other areas under similar ecological conditions.. 相似文献
9.
陕西潼关金矿区太峪河底泥重金属元素的含量及污染评价 总被引：3，自引：1，他引：2
通过对潼关金矿区太峪河和太峪水库底泥中重金属元素总量的调查,探讨了金矿开发活动中重金属元素对河流底泥的污染程度。研究结果表明,除As外,河流底泥中重金属元素的含量与尾矿渣中重金属元素的含量变化一致,表明其主要来源于尾矿渣,但又明显高于尾矿渣。在同一地点河流底泥中重金属元素的含量平均高出河水中的1048.61～666030.08倍,呈显著富集。以邻近地区不受工矿活动影响的河流底泥重金属元素的含量均值作为评价参比值,太峪河底泥受到了Hg、Pb、Cd、Cu、Zn元素的极度污染,单项污染超标倍数及综合污染指数法评价结果表明,Hg、Pb、Cd平均污染超标倍数达366.90、217.42和149.97,是底泥中最主要的污染元素。河流底泥重金属元素的综合污染指数高达278.97,表明河流的复合污染亦呈极度状态。太峪河底泥受重金属元素极度污染的现实提示,矿区的环境防治工作已刻不容缓。 相似文献
10.
Pu Wanqiu Sun Jiaqi Zhang Fangfang Wen Xingyue Liu Wenhu Huang Chengmin 《中国地球化学学报》2019,38(5):753-773
Metallic ore mining causes heavy metal pollution worldwide. However, the fate of heavy metals in agrosystems with long-term contamination has been poorly studied. Dongchuan District (Yunnan, southwest China), located at the middle reaches of the Xiaojiang River, is a well-known 2000-year-old copper mining site. In this work, a survey on soil heavy metal contents was conducted using a handheld X-ray fluorescence instrument to understand the general contamination of heavy metals in the Xiaojiang River Basin. Furthermore, river water, soil, and rice samples at six sites along the fluvial/alluvial fans of the river were collected and analyzed to implement an environmental assessment and an evaluation of irrigated agrosystem. V, Zn, and Cu soil levels (1724, 1047, and 696 mg·kg−1, respectively) far exceeded background levels. The geo-accumulation indexes (Igeo) showed that cultivated soils near the mining sites were polluted by Cd and Cu, followed by Zn, V, Pb, Cr, Ni, and U. The pollution index (Pi) indicated that rice in the area was heavily polluted with Pb, Cr, Cd, Ni, Zn, and Cu. The difference in orders of metal concentrations between the soil and rice heavy metal contamination was related to the proportion of bioavailable heavy metals in the soil. The crop consumption risk assessment showed that the hazard quotient exceeded the safe threshold, indicating a potential carcinogenic risk to consumers. The Nemerow integrated pollution index and health index indicated that the middle of the river (near the mining area) was the heaviest polluted site.
相似文献11.
鸭绿江河口及近岸地区沉积物中重金属分布的影响因素分析 总被引：15，自引：1，他引：14
对鸭绿江河口不同地区沉积物中重金属分布特征和埋藏通量的垂向变化进行了分析;探讨了其独特的动力环境等因素对重金属分布的影响;评价了鸭绿江河口地区重金属污染状况及潜在生态风险程度.结果显示,自1920年代到2000年以来,除了Cu的含量和埋藏通量逐年减小之外,Cr、Ni、Zn、Cd、Pb、As和Hg的浓度和埋藏通量具有逐渐增加的趋势;鸭绿江河口地区重金属总体污染程度为重到严重,其中西水道沉积物的重金属总体污染程度和总潜在生态风险程度均最高,重金属污染已经对鸭绿江河口地区的生态环境构成了严重的危害;粒度控制效应不是鸭绿江河口地区重金属分布的最主要影响因素;Cu和其他几种重金属有着不同的来源;最大浑浊带独特的动力机制是造成中水道重金属(除Cu外)的高值分布区和最大浑浊带内的高悬沙浓度分布区相对应的最主要原因. 相似文献
12.
长江上游是整个长江经济带的重要生态屏障。以长江上游攀西大梁子铅锌矿区水系沉积物为研究对象,查明了重金属元素含量的空间分布特征,分析了重金属来源,探讨了在不同pH条件下重金属的淋滤规律,并进行了生态风险评估。研究结果显示:攀西大桥河流域水系沉积物中重金属的空间分布极不均匀,其含量明显要高于长江水系沉积物中重金属的平均含量;重金属生态风险属于很强风险,Hg和Cd呈高度富集、严重污染;Pb和Zn呈中度富集、中等污染。淋滤实验结果表明Pb、Zn、Cd在酸性和中性条件下淋滤浓度先快速下降,后逐渐趋于平衡,而As在快速下降后又有缓慢升高的趋势。大桥河流域水系沉积物中As、Cd、Pb、Zn主要来源于大梁子铅锌矿的采选活动,Hg为岩石风化和土壤剥蚀来源,而Cu和Cr主要为农业和工业活动来源。综合对比发现,攀西成矿带铅锌矿周边土壤富Cd而贫Cr,此外Cd、Pb、Zn、Hg是主要潜在污染物,且生态风险程度较高。 相似文献
13.
Using regression model to identify and evaluate heavy metal pollution sources in an open pit coal mine area,Eastern Junggar,China 总被引：1，自引：0，他引：1
Rukeya Sawut Tashpolat Tiyip Abdugheni Abliz Nijat Kasim Ilyas Nurmemet Memet Sawut Nigara Tashpolat Arzune Ablimit 《Environmental Earth Sciences》2017,76(24):822
This study aims at identifying multi-source heavy metal pollution from natural and anthropogenic sources using a regression model, principal component analysis, and five different indices (geo-accumulation index (I geo), the modified degree of contamination, pollution load index (PLI), enrichment factor, and ecological risk factor. Results revealed that: (1) although the average concentrations of soil heavy metals (Cu, Cr, Pb, Hg, As, Zn) were generally low, Hg, As, and Cr concentrations exceeded national standard values by approximately 0.91, 1.84, and 0.91 times with maximum concentrations up to 0.41, 78.6, and 175.2 μg/g, respectively; (2) PLI results showed that the industrial park and Wucaiwan open coal mining area were the most polluted (PLI of 1.98, 1.71). The potential ecological hazards index indicated that the E i r of three heavy metals (Cu, Hg, As) in the soil were relatively high, presenting potential ecological risk factors of 74.89, 16.71, 4.15%, respectively; (3) stepwise regression model and principal component analysis suggest that Cu and Zn were primarily effected by the natural geological condition and atmospheric dust fall. Cr, Hg, Pb are mainly derived from anthropogenic sources, particularly coal mining activities and industrial sources. Results of this research have some significant implications for heavy metal pollution prevention and the sustainable development of the economy and ecology of arid regions in China. 相似文献
14.
Ten heavy metals, namely, Ag, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn were partially extracted using aqua regia digestion method and analysed by ICP-AES from 56 stream sediment samples collected from River Orle, Igarra area, southwestern Nigeria. The analytical results were used to produce geochemical distribution maps for the elements and were subjected to univariate statistical analysis in order to evaluate the distribution and abundance of the heavy metals in the study area. The degree of pollution of these stream sediments by these heavy metals was evaluated by calculating such parameters as enrichment factors (EF), as well as pollution load and geo-accumulation indices (PLI and Igeo). Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn are widely distributed in the drainage system while the distribution of Ag, Cd, As and Hg is restricted to only parts of the drainage system with Ag and Cd being localized to one sample site each near Epkeshi in the southern part of the study area. Cr and Pb display anomalously high concentrations, each from a site, also in the same locality where Ag and Cd were detected, indicating the likelihood that the four elements, Cr, Pb, Ag and Cd, are genetically related. Calculation of the enrichment factor (EF), pollution load index (PLI) and geo-accumulation index (Igeo) yielded results that indicate that all the 56 stream sediment sites, except one located about 4 km southeast of Epkeshi in the southern part of the Orle drainage system, are practically unpolluted by heavy metals. The relatively high metal concentration of this anomalous site having Pb EF of 62.5, PLI of 1.14 and Pb Igeo of 2.44 signifies Pb pollution. Both natural and anthropogenic sources of the Pb contamination around Epkeshi locality are possible. In conclusion, the levels of concentrations of heavy metals in the study area, in general, do not constitute any serious environmental risk except for Pb which needs to be monitored at only one site in the study area. Therefore the concentration ranges for the different heavy metals in the study area can serve as baseline environmental data against which the degree of pollution of these heavy metals can be evaluated in future. 相似文献
15.
Heavy metal pollution in the surficial sediments derived from the estuary in Daliao River and Yingkou Bay is investigated to assess environmental quality, pollution level, bioavailability and toxicity. The ranges of Pb, Co, Zn and Cu concentrations in the surficial sediments are: 16.57–39.18, 3.61–16.02, 16.53–39.18, 2.77–43.80 mg/kg. Results of the geoaccumulation index (I geo) show that the pollution levels of four metals are in the “unpolluted” class except for Pb in 15 sampling sites. The pollution level of the study area assessed by pollution load index (PLI) shows that except for the moderately polluted region of sites 1, 2, 3, 8, 12 and 13, other sites belong to unpolluted state. The sequence of pollution extent of different heavy metals is: Pb > Zn > Co > Cu. At all sampling sites, the grades of potential ecological risk of Co, Cu, Pb and Zn are “light”. The order of potential ecological risk is: Pb > Co > Cu > Zn. Sequential extraction of the metals indicates that the states of Pb, Cu, Co and Zn in the sediment are relatively stable at most sites of the estuary in Daliao River and Yingkou Bay, which means that there is a low source of pollution arriving in this area. While only at several sites, Co, Pb and Zn are labile, which are considered as anthropogenically originated. 相似文献
16.
Metal pollution assessment and multivariate analysis in sediment of Anzali international wetland 总被引：4，自引：1，他引：3
Anzali international wetland located in southwestern Caspian Sea coast is one of the most important wetlands of Iran from environmental and ecological points of view. Metal concentrations (Cu, Zn, Cr, Fe, Mn, Pb, Ni, Cd, and Li) in 41 surface sediment samples from Anzali wetland were determined. Assessment of ecological risk of sediment samples as well as their degree of contamination revealed considerable ecological risk and moderate degree of contamination in eastern part of the study area. Multivariate statistical analyses were used to identify metal content relationship and their origin. Higher enrichment factors of Cd, Pb, and Zn exhibited probable effects on human activities. Based on sediment quality guidelines (SQGs), moderate potential toxicity levels of sediment samples were identified. A new sediment quality index named sediment toxicity degree was developed based on the results of the multivariate statistical analysis to assess metal toxicity in surface sediments of aquatic systems. Results showed higher sensitivity of the new index (STd) to assess toxic effect of heavy metals on sediments and better capability to differentiate zones with different levels of risk within the study area than that of some other indices such as SQG-Q. 相似文献
17.
长江沉积物环境地球化学特征及生态风险评价 总被引：1，自引：0，他引：1
为了进行长江流域沉积物生态风险评价,对长江流域干流以及主要支流的沉积物统一进行采样分析。首先对其元素的组成特征及重金属元素的富集特征进行分析。常量元素含量在流域空间上的变化主要受其携带矿物含量变化的影响;Cu、Pb、Cd、As、Hg 5种微量元素富集程度较大,存在异常。同时采用潜在生态风险指数法对长江沉积物Cr、Mn、Co、Ni、Cu、Zn、Pb、Cd、As、Hg 10种元素进行了评价研究。结果表明,潜在生态风险指数较大的地区分布在湖南湘江、安徽铜陵等地区,中等的地区分布在四川、重庆及江西等地区,这些潜在污染指数与矿产的开采冶炼以及工业的布局有一定的关系,很大程度上是由人为因素造成的。从元素的潜在污染程度看,长江流域Cd、As、Hg污染程度较重,Cu、Zn、Pb次之,而Cr、Mn、Co、Ni基本没有污染。本研究为探讨长江流域沉积地球化学过程和环境保护提供了科学依据。 相似文献
18.
潮白河流域土壤重金属生态风险评价方法研究 总被引：1，自引：0，他引：1
为了研究潮白河流域某段土壤重金属环境质量现状及潜在生态风险评价,系统采集了42件土壤样品,对其7种重金属(Cu、Pb、Zn、Cr、Ni、Cd和As)进行了测试分析,利用《土壤环境质量标准》评价土壤重金属污染现状,并参考北京市土壤重金属背景值,采用环境质量指数与环境潜在生态危害指数、内梅罗综合指数法相结合的方法,探讨土壤中7种重金属的累积污染现状及潜在生态风险。研究表明,土壤样品中Cu、Zn、Cr含量超标分别为97.62%、100%、100%;Cu、Zn、Cr含量重度污染等级以上的分别占2.38%、2.38%、4.76%;潜在生态危害指数法评价表明,Cu、Zn、Cr含量处于轻微生态危害等级分别占97.62%、100%、100%,Cu含量2.38%处于强生态危害等级。内梅罗综合指数法评判表明,所有样点均已污染,其中达到轻度污染、中度污染、重度污染的样点分别占28.57%、42.86%、28.57%;而潜在生态危害指数法评价显示土壤样品点中97.62%处于轻微生态风险等级,根据悲观原则可以判断该段流域重金属污染均处于轻度污染以上。 相似文献
19.
重金属污染评价及方法对比——以福建浅海沉积物为例 总被引：9，自引：0，他引：9
应用地质累积指数法、内梅罗综合污染指数法及生态危害指数法,对福建浅海沉积物461个底泥样品中7种重金属（Hg、Pb、Cr、Zn、Cu、Cd、As）进行了污染评价对比.结果表明：①各主要海湾浅海沉积物中超标重金属为Cr、Cu（Cr占24.1%,Cu占15.0%）,其次为Pb、Zn（Pb占6.3%,Zn占5.0%）;②九龙江口潜在生态危害最大,Cd潜在生态风险最高,地质累积指数超标的Cr、Cu、Pb、Zn潜在生态风险并不大;③三种评价方法各有侧重点和优缺点,各具合理性和局限性,若能结合应用,可较为合理地对重金属污染状况进行系统评价. 相似文献
20.
Risk assessment of heavy metals in topsoil along the banks of theYangtze River in Huangshi,China 
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下载免费PDF全文 High concentrations of heavy metal in farmland threatens food production and human health. Our study assesses soil quality and the distribution of Cd, Cr, Cu, Zn, Pb and Ni, to identify possible sources of heavy metals along the banks of the Yangtze River in Huangshi. Heavy metal concentrations of 22 topsoil samples were measured using the inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry instrument and data was analyzed by multivariate statistic approaches. Heavy metal contamination risk assessment was performed using a combination of the Nemerow multi-factor index method, the Hakanson potential ecological risk index method and the Muller index of geo-accumulation method. These methods determined similar results indicating that cadmium (Cd) poses a health risk to residents at the study site while Cr, Cu, Zn, Pb and Ni do not. The Nemerow multi-factor index method demonstrated that 18 samples were heavily polluted, three moderately polluted and one lightly polluted. The Muller index of geo-accumulation method found ten samples were moderately to strongly polluted by Cd, five were moderately polluted, six were lightly to moderately polluted and one was lightly polluted. The Hakanson potential ecological risk index method proved six samples were strongly polluted, seven were moderately polluted and nine were lightly polluted. Since our sampling sites were all in agricultural lands, we recommend the potential ecological risk index method as the most effective given it not only considers the range of pollutants contributing to soil pollution but factors in heavy metals toxicity. We are apt that the source of the high concentrations of Cd found in topsoil is derived from alluvial sediments upstream of the Yangtze River with a high percentage of residual speciation and a low percentage of exchangeable speciation distribution of Cd. This in turns indicates that a high concentration of Cd in soil had little impact on the natural environment. However, 31.9% of the iron-manganese oxides bound speciation indicating that such levels of Cd in soil would be potentially hazardous to the crops, particularly if exposed to a reductive condition. 相似文献