Risk assessment of heavy metals in topsoil along the banks of theYangtze River in Huangshi, China

LIN Dan; JIN Meng-gui; LI Xiu-juan

Volume 5 Issue 2

Jun. 2017

Turn off MathJax

Article Contents

Article Navigation > Journal of Groundwater Science and Engineering > 2017 > 5(2): 162-172

LIN Dan, JIN Meng-gui, LI Xiu-juan. 2017: Risk assessment of heavy metals in topsoil along the banks of theYangtze River in Huangshi, China. Journal of Groundwater Science and Engineering, 5(2): 162-172.

Citation:

PDF( 4545 KB)

Risk assessment of heavy metals in topsoil along the banks of theYangtze River in Huangshi, China

1College of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.2Laboratory of Basin Hydrology and Wetland Eco-restoration & School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China.3Zhejiang Institute of Geology and Mineral Resources, Hangzhou 310007, China.4Guangdong Province Geological Environmental Monitoring Station, Guangzhou 510510, China.

Publish Date: 2017-06-28

Abstract

Abstract

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.
- Heavy metals,
- Risk assessment,
- Soil chemical analysis,
- The Yangtze River,
- Huangshi

FullText(HTML)

References(37)

References

CHEN Chan-ling, LI Xiao-suo, et al. 2006. Heavy metal pollution along the highway area using the geo-accumulation index method. Malong Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Journal of Public Health & Preventive Medicine, 17(6): 19-21.

CHEN Man-huai. 2005. Environmental edaph-ology (1st edition). Beijing: Science Press.

Rinklebe J, Shaheen S M. 2014. Assessing the mobilization of cadmium, lead, and nickel using a seven-step sequential extraction technique in contaminated floodplain soil profiles along the central Elbe River, Germany. Water, Air & Soil Pollution, 225(8): 1-20.

LI Chang-an, DU Yun, et al. 2001. Environmental evolution and flood control countermeasures in mid-Yangtze River. Wuhan: China University of Geosciences Press.

YANG Zhong-fang, CHENG Hang-xin, et al. 2005. Regional ecological geochemical assessment: Ideas and prospects. Geological Bulletin of China, 24(8): 687-693.

HE Yuan, WANG Xian, et al. 2007. Forms of heavy metals in soils typical of Zoumadai of Quanzhou. Soil, 39(2): 257-262.

LIAO Guo-li, WU Chao. 2006. The pollution and control of environmental heavy metals under resource exploitation (1st Edition). Changsha: Central South University Press.

WU He-xin, HU Xue-feng, et al. 2004. Contents and differential characteristics of heavy metals in soils found in Baoshan District, Shanghai. Journal of Shanghai University (Natural Science), 10(4): 400-405.

José A R M, Manuel L A, José M G C. 2006. Heavy metal contents in agricultural topsoil in the Ebro basin (Spain), application of the multivariate geoestatistical method to study spatial variations. Environmental Pollution 114(3): 1001-1012.

Muller G. 1969. Index of geo-accumulation in sediments of the Rhine River. Geo Journal, 2(3): 108–118.

Brazauskiene D M, Paulauskas V, Sabiene N. 2008. Speciation of Zn, Cu, and Pb in the soil depending on soil texture and fertilization with sewage sludge compost. Journal of Soils and Sediments, 8(3):184-192.

Hakanson L. 1980. An ecological risk index of aquatic pollution control: A sedimentological approach. Water Research, 14(8): 975-1001.

ZHOU Sheng-lu, LIAO Fu-qiang, et al. 2008. Studies of heavy metal element contents in soil profiles typical of farmland in Yixing city. Chinese Science Bulletin, 53(S1): 153-161.

CHEN J S, WANG Z, LIU Y J. 1989. Potential risk of heavy metal pollution in water: assessment by sedimentology measures. Environment and Science and Technology, 9(1): 16-25.

WANG Yan-xin. 2007. Groundwater contamina?tion. Beijing: Higher education press.

XU Zheng-qi, NI Shi-jun, et al. 2008. Calculation of heavy metals’ toxicity coefficient in the evaluation of potential ecological risk index. Environmental Science and Technology, 31(2): 112-115.

LI Xiu-juan, JIN Meng-gui, et al. 2010a. Distribution characteristics and safety evaluation of Cd in crops along Yangtze River in Huangshi City. Research of agricultural modernization, 31(4): 509-512.

FU Hua, WU Yan-hua, WEI Li-hua. 2006. Distribution and evaluation of heavy metals in agricultural soil in southern area of Beijing. Journal of Agro-Environment Science, 25(1): 182-185.

PAN Gen-xing, Andrew C Chang, Albert L Page. 2002. Modeling transfer and partitioning of potentially toxic pollutants in soil crop system for human food security. Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology 13(7): 854-858.

LI Xiao-xiu, LU An-xiang, et al. 2006. Analysis and assessment of soil environmental quality of some farmlands in Beijing. Transactions of the CSAE, 22(2): 60-63.

MENG Fan-qiao, SHI Ya-juan, WU Wen-liang. 2000. Development of soil environmental quality standards of heavy metal for non-polluted agricultural products in China. Agro-environmental Protection, (19): 356- 359.

Morton-Bermea O, Hernández-álvarez E, et al. 2009. Assessment of heavy metal pollution in urban topsoils from the metropolitan area of Mexico City. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 101(3): 218-224.

Chinese National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA). 1990. Background values for elements in soil in China. Beijing: Chinese Environmental Science Press.

LIU Yang, LIU Kai, et al. 2015. Cadmium contamination of soil and crops is affected by intercropping and rotation systems in the lower reaches of the Minjiang River in south-western China. Environmental geochemistry and health, 38(3): 811-820.

ZHOU Sheng-lu, LIAO Fu-qiang, et al. 2008. Studies of heavy metal element contents in soil profiles typical of farmland in Yixing city. Chinese Science Bulletin, 53(S1): 153-161.

YANG Zhong-fang, CHENG Hang-xin, et al. 2005. Regional ecological geochemical assessment: Ideas and prospects. Geological Bulletin of China, 24(8): 687-693.

WEI Bing-gan, JIANG Feng-qing, et al. 2010. Heavy metal induced ecological risk in the city of Urumqi, NW China. Environmental monitoring and assessment, 160(1-4): 33-45.

LI Xiu-juan, JIN Meng-gui, et al. 2010b. Speciation characteristics and bioavailability of cadmium in soils along Yangtze River in Huangshi. Environmental Science & Technology, 33(5): 25-29.

ZHONG Xiao-lan, ZHOU Sheng-lu, et al. 2007. Spatial variability of soil heavy metals contamination in the Yangtze River delta: A case study of Taicang city in Jiangsu Province. Acta Pedologica Sinica, 44(1): 33-40.

XU Zheng-qi, NI Shi-jun, et al. 2008. Calculation of heavy metals’ toxicity coefficient in the evaluation of potential ecological risk index. Environmental Science and Technology, 31(2): 112-115.

XI Xiao-huan. 2004. Eco-geochemical research and eco-geochemical evaluation. Geophysical and Geochemical Exploration, 28(1): 10-15.

MA Zhen-dong, ZHANG De-cun, et al. 2005. Origin of cadmium high-value zones along the Yangtze River and Hanjiang River in Wuhan, Hubei, China. Regional Geology of China, 24(8): 740-743.

ZHOU Xiu-yan, WANG En-de. 2004. Method on how to apply index of geo-accumulation to evaluate heavy metal pollution as result of inter-tidal sediments in Liaodong bay. Journal of Safety and Environment, 4(2): 22-24.

Chinese National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA). 1995. Soil environmental quality standard. Beijing: Standard Press of China.

Chinese Geological Survey. 2005. Technical standard for Chinese geological survey (DD2005-03): Technical requirements for sample analysis for ecological geochemical assessment.

Relative Articles

[1]	Hanane Mebarki, Noureddine Maref, Mohammed El-Amine Dris, 2024: Modelling the monthly hydrological balance using Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model: A case study of the Wadi Mina upstream watershed, Journal of Groundwater Science and Engineering, 12, 161-177. doi: 10.26599/JGSE.2024.9280013
[2]	Fu-ning Lan, Yi Zhao, Jun Li, Xiu-qun Zhu, 2024: Health risk assessment of heavy metal pollution in groundwater of a karst basin, SW China, Journal of Groundwater Science and Engineering, 12, 49-61. doi: 10.26599/JGSE.2024.9280005
[3]	Ya-wei Zhang, Yun-tao Liu, Zi-wen Wang, Yu Cao, Xiao-ran Tu, Di Cao, Shuai Yuan, Xiao-man Cheng, Lian-sheng Zhang, 2023: Source analysis of dissolved heavy metals in the Shaying River Basin, China, Journal of Groundwater Science and Engineering, 11, 408-421. doi: 10.26599/JGSE.2023.9280032
[4]	Vinay Kumar Gautam, Mahesh Kothari, P.K. Singh, S.R. Bhakar, K.K. Yadav, 2022: Analysis of groundwater level trend in Jakham River Basin of Southern Rajasthan, Journal of Groundwater Science and Engineering, 10, 1-9. doi: 10.19637/j.cnki.2305-7068.2022.01.001
[5]	Jhim Terrazas-Salvatierra, Galo Munoz-Vásquez, Ana Romero-Jaldin, 2020: Migration of total chromium and chloride anion in the Rocha River used for estimating degradation of agricultural soil quality at the Thiu Rancho zone, Journal of Groundwater Science and Engineering, 8, 223-229. doi: 10.19637/j.cnki.2305-7068.2020.03.003
[6]	Mehdi Bahrami, Elmira Khaksar, Elahe Khaksar, 2020: Spatial variation assessment of groundwater quality using multivariate statistical analysis(Case Study: Fasa Plain, Iran), Journal of Groundwater Science and Engineering, 8, 230-243. doi: 10.19637/j.cnki.2305-7068.2020.03.004
[7]	Prusty Rabiranjan, Biswal Trinath, 2020: Physico-chemical, bacteriological and health hazard effect analysis of the water in Taladanda Canal, Paradip area, Odisha, India, Journal of Groundwater Science and Engineering, 8, 338-348. doi: 10.19637/j.cnki.2305-7068.2020.04.004
[8]	TIAN Xia, FEI Yu-hong, ZHANG Zhao-ji, LI Ya-song, DUN Yu, GUO Chun-yan, 2017: Analysis on hydrochemical characteristics of groundwater in strongly exploited area in Hutuo River Plain, Journal of Groundwater Science and Engineering, 5, 130-139.
[9]	ZHU Yu-chen, ZHANG Yi-long, HAO Qi-chen, 2017: Assessment of shallow groundwater vulnerability in Dahei River Plain based on AHP and DRASTIC, Journal of Groundwater Science and Engineering, 5, 266-277.
[10]	ZHOU Xun, 2017: Arsenic distribution and source in groundwater of Yangtze River Delta economic region, China, Journal of Groundwater Science and Engineering, 5, 343-353.
[11]	LIU Min, NIE Zhen-long, WANG Jin-zhe, WANG Li-fang, TIAN Yan-liang, 2016: An assessment of the carrying capacity of groundwater resources in North China Plain region–Analysis of potential for development, Journal of Groundwater Science and Engineering, 4, 174-187.
[12]	LIU Shu-yuan, WANG Hong-qi, 2016: Dynamic assessment of pollution risk of groundwater source area in Northern China, Journal of Groundwater Science and Engineering, 4, 333-343.
[13]	WU Jian-qiang, WU Xia-yi, 2016: Geological environment impact analysis of a landfill by the Yangtze River, Journal of Groundwater Science and Engineering, 4, 96-102.
[14]	YU Kai-ning, LI Jian, LI Hui, CHEN Kang, LV Bing-xu, ZHAO Long-hui, 2016: Statistical characteristics of heavy metals content in groundwater and their interrelationships in a certain antimony mine area, Journal of Groundwater Science and Engineering, 4, 284-292.
[15]	CUI Xiang-xiang, FEI Yu-hong, ZHANG Zhao-ji, LI Ya-song, 2015: Distribution and migration of lead in soil of Xiao River, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, Journal of Groundwater Science and Engineering, 3, 98-104.
[16]	DAI Wen-Bin, ZHANG Wei-Jun, COWEN Taha, 2015: An analysis of River Derwent pollution and its impacts, Journal of Groundwater Science and Engineering, 3, 39-44.
[17]	GU Ming-xu, LIU Yu, HAN Chong, SHANG Lin-qun, JIANG Xian-qiao, WANG Lin-ying, 2014: Analysis of impact of outfalls on surrounding soil and groundwater environment, Journal of Groundwater Science and Engineering, 2, 54-60.
[18]	CHENG Yan-pei, YUE Chen, ZHANG Jian-kang, YI Qing, WEN Xue-ru, LI Yong-chao, 2014: Influence of fluctuations of frozen soil in North Asia on groundwater and assessment on resources, Journal of Groundwater Science and Engineering, 2, 71-77.
[19]	SHI Jian-sheng, LIU Chang-li, DONG Hua, YAN Zhen-peng, WANG Yan-jun, LIU Xin-hao, GUO Xiu-yan, JIAO Hong-jun, YIN Mi-ying, HOU Huai-ren, 2014: Stability assessment and risk analysis of aboveground river in lower Yellow River, Journal of Groundwater Science and Engineering, 2, 1-18.
[20]	Zhao-xian Zheng, Xiao-si Su, 2013: Risk Assessment on Organic Contamination of Shallow Groundwater of an Oilfield in Northeast China, Journal of Groundwater Science and Engineering, 1, 75-82.