Multivariate statistical approach to identify heavy metal sources in agricultural soil around an abandoned Pb–Zn mine in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China

A study of agricultural lands around an abandoned Pb–Zn mine in a karst region was undertaken to (1) assess the distribution of heavy metals in the agricultural environment, in both dry land and paddy field; (2) discriminate between natural and anthropogenic contributions; and (3) identify possible sources of any pollution discovered. Ninety-two samples of cultivated soils were collected around the mine and analyzed for eight heavy metals, pH, fluoride (F^?), cation exchange capacity, organic matter, and grain size. The eight heavy metals included Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, As, and Hg. The average concentrations (mg/kg) obtained were as follows: Cd 16.76 ± 24.49, Cr 151.5 ± 18.24, Cu 54.28 ± 18.99, Ni 57.5 ± 14.43, Pb 2,576.2 ± 1,096, Zn 548.7 ± 4,112, As 29.1 ± 6.36, and Hg 1.586 ± 1.46. In a site where no impact from mining activities was detected, the mean and median of Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, As, and Hg concentrations in investigated topsoils were higher than the mean and median of heavy metal concentrations in reference soils. An ensemble of basic and multivariate statistical analyses was performed to reduce the multidimensional space of variables and samples. Two main sets of heavy metals were revealed as indicators of natural and anthropogenic influences. The results of principal component analysis (PCA) and categorical PCA demonstrated that Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn, and Hg are indicators of anthropogenic pollution, whereas Cr, As and Ni concentrations are mainly associated with natural sources in the environment. The contamination from Pb–Zn mining operations, coupled with the special karst environment, was a key contributing factor to the spatial distribution of the eight heavy metals in the surrounding soil. The values of heavy metals in the soil samples suggested the necessity of conducting a rigorous assessment of the health and environmental risks posed by these residues and taking suitable remedial action as necessary.     

Phytoremediation assessment of native plants growing on Pb–Zn mine site in Northern Tunisia

Pollution by heavy metals presents an environmental concern, and their toxicity threats soil, water, animals and human health. Phytoremediation can be used as a solution to remediate contaminated soils. The aim of this study was to identify native plants collected from tailings: material of Pb–Zn mine sites of Fedj Lahdoum and Jebel Ressas (two abandoned mines located, respectively, in the northwest of Tunisia and in the south of Tunis City). The tolerance of plant to heavy metals (lead, zinc and cadmium) is evaluated. Soil samples were collected and analyzed for Pb, Zn and Cd concentration. The total soil Pb, Zn and Cd are, respectively, reached 6132 mg kg^?1, 11,052 mg kg^?1 and it doesn’t exceed 479 mg kg^?1 for Cd. The highest content of Zn in plants was detected in shoots of Rumex bucephalophorus (1048 mg kg^?1), and the highest Pb concentration was detected in roots of Chrysopogon zizanioides (381 mg kg^?1), while for Cd Silene colorata it accumulated the highest content in roots (51 mg kg^?1). From all plants, only 12 have a translocation factor for Pb which is higher than one. Among all plants, only 17 have a translocation factor that is higher than one for Zn, while for Cd only 13 plants indicate TF > 1. As for the biological absorption coefficient, all samples indicate a rate which is lower than one. These plants can be primarily hyper accumulators and useful in remediation of lead- and zinc-contaminated soils after further biochemistry researches in mechanism of accumulation and translocation of heavy metals in plants.     

Spatial variability of soils and stream sediments and the remediation effects in a Portuguese uranium mine area

The old Senhora das Fontes uranium mine, located in central Portugal, was closed down in 1971. The treatment of ores from this mine and other mines by heap-leach ended in 1982. Seven dumps partially covered by vegetation were left in the area. Soil and stream sediment samples were collected in December 2009. The remediation was carried out from May 2010 to January 2011. Stream sediment samples were collected again in October 2013. Before the remediation, soils from inside the mine influence area have higher Al, As, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Sr, Th, U and Zn concentrations than soils from outside this area, due to radionuclides, metals and metalloid released from the mine dumps. The principal component analysis (PCA) shows a distinction between soils from inside and outside the mine influence area. The U(VI), As(V) and metals from soils can be adsorbed to Fe-oxyhydroxides and the humic acid can increase the U uptake. Soils must not be used for public or private green and residential areas, because they are contaminated in U, As, Co, Cd and Ni. Before the remediation, downstream sediments have higher Al, As, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, U and Zn than upstream sediments, due to erosion and percolation of water through the mine dumps. The PCA shows a distinction between downstream and upstream sediments. The U(VI), Th and As(V) can be adsorbed to Fe-oxyhydroxides. The stream sediments are contaminated in As, Mn, Th and U. Downstream sediments are the most contaminated in U and As. After the remediation, upstream and downstream sediments have generally higher Al, Fe, As, Cr, Ni, Th, U and Zn concentrations than before the remediation, attributed to the relocation of dumps. Radionuclides, metals and metalloids were transported by surface water. Consequently downstream sediments have higher Al, As, Cu, Mn, Ni, Th, U and Zn concentrations than upstream sediments. The U(VI), Th and As(V) can be adsorbed to Fe-oxyhydroxides. Stream sediments became more contaminated in U, Th and As than before the remediation, but more intensively downstream.     

AB-DTPA提取法在重金属污染土壤修复模拟试验中的应用可行性

将碳酸氢铵-二乙三胺五乙酸(AB-DTPA)提取重金属生物有效态的方法应用于重金属污染土壤修复的模拟试验中,该土壤的污染元素主要是铜、锌和镉,试验所用修复材料是钠化膨润土。研究表明,AB-DTPA提取法具有很好的稳定性,而且能准确指示铜、锌、镉元素在土壤中的有效态含量,同时AB-DTPA对土壤中铜、锌、镉元素的提取率也适用于模拟试验中修复效果的平行对比。AB-DTPA提取法在重金属污染土壤修复模拟试验中的应用是可行的。     

Geo-environmental study of heavy metals of the agricultural highway soils,NW Jordan

This study investigated the status and distribution patterns of selected heavy metals in roadside soils along Irbid-North Shooneh Highway, Jordan. This highway has experienced a growing number of vehicles that are likely to influence the levels of heavy metals in the surrounding agricultural lands. The average concentrations of Cr, Co, Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn, and Ni were 16.0, 36.0, 11.0, 4.0, 79.0, 122.0, and 60.0 mg/kg, respectively. Cd, Pb, and Co showed average levels that are higher than the average world soil background values. Elevated levels of heavy metals were measured in surface soil layer which decreased with depth, and with distance from the roadway. The contamination factor (CF), pollution load index (PLI), single ecological risk (Ei), potential ecological risk index (PERI), and geo-accumulation index (Igeo) generally indicated that the roadside soils are contaminated with Cd, Pb, and Ni. Heavy metals in soils are of geogenic and anthropogenic origins. Weathering of parent rocks in Wadi Al-Arab catchment is the primary natural source, whereas agrochemicals, vehicle exhausts, degradation of surface wear and paint of vehicles, vehicle wear debris of tire, and brake lining are the main anthropogenic sources of heavy metals.     

Soil contamination by metals with high ecological risk in urban and rural areas

Industrial development, intensive agriculture and fast urbanization have caused the metal contents of soils to increase to many times the allowable limits. To assess this impact on urban and rural soils, we quantified the Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Ni and Zn contents of 258 soil samples from the Recife metropolitan region (RMR). The objectives of the study were to estimate the probability of ecological risk, to determine the spatial pattern of the metals’ accumulation in the soil and to identify potential sources for the metals using a multivariate geostatistical approach. Mean concentrations of Zn, Cr, Pb, Cu, Ni and Cd in soils were 65.2, 17.9, 16.5, 12.8, 6.3 and 1.5 mg kg^?1, respectively. The results demonstrated that the Cd was anthropogenic in origin, the Cr and Ni were lithogenic (natural) in origin and the Cu, Pb and Zn were mixed in origin. Cd contaminated 91% of the samples; the median content of Cd (1.4 mg kg^?1) was three times the quality reference value for soil. The Cd contents of sugarcane fields exceeded the allowable limit (3.0 mg kg^?1) for agricultural areas. The spatial variability of the metals in the RMR showed that metallurgy, cement production, vehicle exhaust and vehicular traffic were the main sources of metals in urban areas, while phosphate-based fertilizers were the main sources in rural areas. More than 80% of the metropolitan region surveyed in the study was at moderate to high ecological risk.     

基于可见—近红外反射光谱的典型农田重金属污染风险分类研究

对于人为因素或自然因素造成的农田土壤重金属元素污染,需要进行大面积的土壤环境质量调查和分类管控,然而传统的采样测试方法存在工作量大、代价高等问题。可见—近红外（Vis-NIR）反射光谱是一种快速低成本获取土壤理化信息的手段。为研究Vis-NIR反射光谱预测模型划分土壤重金属污染风险类别的能力,文章以典型人为污染地区（浙江温岭）和典型地质高背景地区（广西横县）的390份农田土壤为样本,测定8种重金属元素（As、Cd、Cr、Cu、Hg、Ni、Pb和Zn）的含量和pH值,并测定土壤Vis-NIR光谱。使用偏最小二乘（PLS）和支持向量机（SVM）算法建立回归模型,对土壤重金属含量和pH值进行预测,并基于预测值进行土壤重金属污染风险分类。结果显示,温岭土壤主要污染元素Cd和Cu的光谱模型回归预测偏差（RPD）分别为1.23和1.19,预测机制与有机质有关。横县土壤主要污染元素As和Cd的RPD分别为1.98和1.93,预测机制与铁氧化物和粘土矿物有关。地质高背景土壤重金属与铁氧化物的正相关性普遍较强,使得光谱模型对重金属含量预测准确度较高。温岭和横县土壤pH值的光谱模型RPD分别为1.76和1.68。土壤重金属污染风险光谱分类的总体 准确度分别为75.0%~100%（温岭）和80.0%~100％（横县）。将Vis-NIR光谱与遥感技术相结合,对农田土壤重金属污染风险进行快速分类总体是可行的。     

武水河上游区域土壤重金属污染风险及来源分析

生态功能区在涵养水源、保持水土、维系生物多样性等方面具有重要的作用。本文以位于南岭生态功能区的流域——武水流域为研究对象,采集流域上游交通运输用地、采矿用地、工业用地、耕地及林地5种土地利用类型土壤样品,分析7种重金属Cd、As、Cu、Hg、Ni、Pb、Zn的含量特征,采用内梅罗综合污染指数评价重金属污染的程度,Hakanson潜在生态风险指数法评价土壤重金属潜在生态风险,并应用主成分分析法探究重金属污染的来源。研究结果显示,武水河上游地区土壤重金属Cd、As、Cu、Hg、Ni、Pb、Zn平均含量分别为1.28、72.44、54.62、0.27、68.32、72.29和158.42mg/kg,均高于土壤背景值,其中采矿用地土壤重金含量除Hg外均高于其他类型土壤。均值状态下土壤中Cd和As单因子污染指数分别为5.07、3.25,其中采矿用地中Cd单因子污染指数可达13.59;土壤重金属综合污染指数表明,采矿用地污染最为严重,其次是工业用地,林地呈安全状态。潜在生态危害指数评价结果显示,采矿用地和工业用地达到了强生态危害,其他类型土壤为轻微生态危害,而采矿用地土壤中Cd达到极强生态危害,As为强生态危害。土壤重金属来源研究结果表明,As、Cd、Cu和Zn来源于矿山开采及工业活动,Ni和Hg主要来源于成土母质,Pb则来源于交通运输。研究认为:武水流域上游区土壤重金属污染情况较为严重,Cd和As是区内主要的风险因子,主要来源于矿山开采以及工业活动。     

Response of soil enzyme activities to synergistic effects of biosolids and plants in iron ore mine soils

Past mining activities in Swaziland have left a legacy of abandoned mine sites (iron ore, asbestos, diamond and coal mine dumps), all of which have not been reclaimed. These sites were recently (2013) considered by the country’s wastewater treatment authorities as suitable places where biosolids can be applied, firstly as a biosolids disposal alternative and, secondly, as a strategy to accelerate mine soil remediation through phytostabilization. In order to understand the effects that this might have on mine soil conditions and microbiota, two (2) plant growth trials were conducted in biosolid-treated iron mine soils and one (1) trial on undisturbed soil, under greenhouse conditions, for twelve (12) weeks. According to the results obtained, the combination of biosolids and plants led to significant improvements (p < 0.05) in parameters related to soil fertility. Significant increases (p < 0.05) in alkaline phosphatase, β-glucosidase and urease soil enzyme activities were also observed. Copper and zinc were significantly (p < 0.05) increased (Cu from 17.00–50.13 mg kg^?1; Zn from 7.59–96.03 mg kg^?1); however, these sludge-derived metals did not affect enzyme activities. Improvements in soil physicochemical conditions, organic matter–metal complexes, effects of plants on metals and the essentiality of Cu and Zn to soil enzymes were thought to have masked the effects of metals. Increases in soil enzyme activities were considered to be indicative of improvements in the quality, fertility health and self-purification capacity of iron mine soils due to synergistic effects of biosolids and plants.     

Heavy-metal loadings related to urban contamination in the Kooloonbung Creek catchment,Port Macquarie,New South Wales

Urbanisation and industrial development lead to contamination of estuaries and streams with dispersed loadings of heavy metals and metalloids. Contributions of these elements also occur from natural sources. This study provides baseline geochemical data on the respective natural and anthropogenic inputs of Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, As, Sb, Cr, Ni, Mn and S to estuarine, fluvial and wetland sediments, and adjacent soils, in the Kooloonbung Creek catchment that drains the Port Macquarie urban area in north coastal New South Wales. There have been anthropogenic additions of Cu, Pb, Zn and As from dispersed urban sources at Port Macquarie, but they are restricted to the local catchment and do not impact on the adjacent Hastings River estuary. The most contaminated sediments display enrichment factors up to 20 × for Cu and Pb, 9 × for Zn and 5 × for As relative to local background values. However, only one value (for Pb) exceeds National Water Quality Management Strategy interim sediment quality guideline (high) values. On the other hand, sediments and local soils are commonly strongly enriched in Cr, Ni and Mn, reflecting adjacent ultramafic and mafic rock substrate and lateritic regolith. Concentrations of Cr and Ni are commonly well above interim sediment quality guideline (high) values for sediments, but are in mineralogical forms that are not readily bioavailable. Sediment and soil quality guideline values consequently need to recognise natural enrichments and the mineralogical siting of heavy metals. Although dissolved concentrations of heavy metals in stream waters are commonly low, there is evidence for mobility of Cu, Zn, Fe and Al. Parts of the Kooloonbung Creek wetland area lie on sulfidic estuarine sediments (potential acid sulfate soils). Experimental oxidation of uncontaminated and contaminated sulfidic sediments leads to substantial dissolution of heavy metals under acid conditions, with subsequent aquatic mobility. The results warn about disturbance and oxidation of potential acid sulfate soils that have been contaminated by urban and natural heavy-metal sources.     

攀枝花钒钛磁铁矿区土壤重金属地球化学特征及污染评价

为了解攀枝花钒钛磁铁矿区土壤重金属的特征及污染程度,采集了矿区表层土壤样品和两个土壤剖面,用多种分析方法有针对性地分析了Cu、Pb、Zn、Ti、V、Co、Ni、As、Cd、Cr、Hg、Mn十二种元素。在分析分布特征基础上,对重金属进行了污染物负荷指数评价,结果发现:1)攀枝花钒钛磁铁矿矿区表层土壤大部分属于中等污染,少数属于强污染,个别达到了极强污染;2)Co、V、Cu、Cd、Ti几种元素的最高污染系数大,Zn、Mn、Ni、Cr四种元素的最高污染系数次之,Hg、Pb两种元素的最高污染系数较小,As的最高污染系数最小;3)从各区域的污染物负荷指数来看,排土场周围和朱矿采矿场下游附近污染程度较大,远离矿区以及矿区上游污染较小。     

Environmental geochemistry of the Gulf Creek copper mine area, north-eastern New South Wales, Australia

 Past mining and smelting of sulphide ore (pyrite-chalcopyrite-sphalerite) at the abandoned Gulf Creek mine has resulted in a stream highly contaminated by acid mine drainage (pH: 2.2–3.4), as well as degradation of local soil and vegetation. Physical dispersion of secondary metal-bearing minerals from abandoned ore and waste dumps into Gulf Creek and adsorption and coprecipitation of dissolved metals and metalloids in the stream bed cause elevated Ag, As, Cd, Cu, Fe, Pb and Zn values in stream sediments. The bioavailability of individual heavy metals to freshwater organisms changes downstream, however, selective bioaccumulation processes in algae reject readily bioavailable Zn and concentrate less bioavailable Cu. Polluted soils in the vicinity of the mine and smelter sites are subject to continuing soil erosion and either support no vegetation, or a depauperate flora with certain species showing bioaccumulation of metals and resistance to high metal contents. Rehabilitation of disturbed areas should involve covering and sealing sulphidic mine waste or removal of ore and waste dumps, installation of a physical and chemical plant or construction of a wetland environment (plus anoxic lime drains), and import of topsoil and planting of local, metal-tolerant plant species. Received: 17 March 1998 / Accepted: 6 October 1998     

Distribution and mobility of heavy metals in paddy soils of the Kočani Field in Macedonia

Contamination of soils with heavy metals is widespread and poses a long-term risk to ecosystem health. Abandoned and active mining sites contain residues from ore-processing operations that are characterised by high concentrations of heavy metals. The distribution and mobility characteristics of heavy metals (As, Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn) in paddy soil samples from Kočani Field (Macedonia) using ICP-EAS and a sequential extraction procedure was evaluated. The results indicate that highly elevated concentrations of As, Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn were detected in the paddy soil sample from location VII-2 in the vicinity of Zletovo mine and Zletovska river in the western part of Kočani Field, which drains the untreated acid mine waters and mine wastes from the active Zletovo mine. The degree of contamination based on index of geoaccumulation (I _geo) from strong to weak in the paddy soils samples is Pb > As > Cd > Zn > Cu. The mobility potential of heavy metals in all paddy soil samples increases in the order As < Cu < Pb < Zn < Cd. According to the results of the anthropogenic impact on the paddy soils, a further study on the heavy metal concentrations in rice and other edible crops, the remediation process of the paddy soils and a dietary study of the local population are needed.     

某矿区土壤重金属分布特征及来源解析

为探究赣南某矿区土壤重金属污染状况及来源,以该矿区内40个土壤样品为研究对象,分析了土壤中Cu、Pb、Zn、Cr、Ni、Cd、As和Hg等8种重金属元素的含量,并采用频率直方图、相关性分析、主成分分析等多种统计方法探究了土壤重金属含量的分布特征及来源。研究结果表明:(1)研究区8种重金属中有7种不同程度地超过了江西省土壤重金属元素背景值;(2)Pb、Zn、As和Hg的含量接近正态分布,而Cu、Cr、Ni和Cd的含量则呈现出右偏分布的趋势,这可能与研究区矿山开采活动及土地利用类型等因素有关;(3)矿区土壤重金属相关性分析表明,Cu、Cr、Ni的同源性较高,可能具有相同的污染源,而Pb、Zn、Cd等元素与Cu、Cr、Ni相比,其来源可能存在一定的差异;(4)主成分分析结果显示,矿区内土壤中8种重金属元素含量可以由2个主成分来解释,所代表的实际意义按贡献率排序分别是成土母质和人为采矿活动;(5)矿区内土壤重金属污染物主要为Pb、Zn、Cd,人为采矿活动是这三种重金属污染的主要来源。     

Geochemical study of different-aged mining dump materials in the Freiberg mining district, Germany

Historical mining dumps are useful archives for the investigation of weathering processes. The objective of this study was to investigate the weathering behavior of waste-rock material derived from the 800-year-old silver ore mining in Freiberg, Germany. For identifying time-dependent weathering indices, dumped material of four dumps of different ages and corresponding rock was examined regarding the geochemical composition. The dumped material is characterized by high contents of heavy metal containing sulfidic ores, such as pyrite, arsenopyrite, sphalerite and galena. Acid mine drainage is produced by the oxidative weathering of the sulfide minerals and causes the increased dissolving of soluble metals with increasing age of dumps. As a result of these weathering processes, a clear depletion of chalcophile elements in the older dump material (800 years) compared to the youngest dump (100 years) was observed. In the soil horizons downstream the dumps, high quantities of heavy metals (e.g., up to 12,000 ppm As, 3,300 ppm Pb, 640 ppm Zn), mainly adsorbed on organic matter, were determined and indicate a time-dependent element transfer from the dumps into their surrounding soils.     

Chemical stabilization of metals in the environment: a feasible alternative for remediation of mine soils

Initial risk assessment characterization carried out in a tailing pond, called “El Lirio”, came from metal mining showed that these soils have low fertility; low amounts of nitrogen, organic carbon, phosphorous, and carbonates; and high concentrations of total metals (10,719 mg Zn kg^?1, 2,821 mg Pb kg^?1, and 30 mg Cd kg^?1), diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)-extractable metals, and water-soluble metals, which suggest an urgent need for remediation. Different amendments have been selected, including three anthropogenic wastes: pig manure, sewage sludge, and lime; all were added to the constructed plots in the mine pond. The objectives were to: (1) reduce acid mine drainage, metal mobilization, and toxicity and (2) provide nutrients which enable plant establishment. Results showed an increase in pH, electrical conductivity, total nitrogen, organic carbon, and equivalent calcium carbonate contents. Although water- and DTPA-extractable Zn, Pb, and Cd were reduced, there was an increment in DTPA- and water-extractable Cu due to the addition of organic matter. The amendments also enhanced the establishment of plants. This study constitutes the first stage of a successful remediation programme that can be applied in similar mining areas. The chemical stabilization of metals is a cost-effective alternative for remediation of mine areas in SE Spain.     

中国农田土壤重金属污染防治现状与问题思考

土壤是农业可持续发展的基础。经过近40年的经济快速发展与农业高度集约化生产后,我国农田土壤污染与土壤环境质量下降问题逐渐凸显。当前,中国农田土壤重金属污染形势不容乐观,对农产品的安全生产和食品安全构成威胁。文章首先对我国农田土壤重金属污染现状与污染特点、农田重金属污染来源及修复技术研究现状等进行了总结。结果显示：(1)我国农田土壤重金属污染点位超标率相对较高,但以轻度污染为主;(2)污染土壤中主要以Cd、As、Hg、Pb和Cr这5种健康风险重金属元素为主,尤其以Cd风险最高,而以生态风险为主的Ni、Cu和Zn 3种重金属环境风险相对较小;(3)农田土壤污染分布总体表现为南方重于北方,东部重于西部;(4)农田土壤污染逐渐呈现由工业源向农业源、城郊向农村、土壤向食物链转移的发展趋势。基于文献计量方法对我国近30年来农田土壤污染防治研究的热点与趋势进行了分析。结果表明,我国农田土壤污染防治研究主要始于2000年前后,2009年后进入快速发展阶段,研究热点主要包括重金属污染监测、土壤环境环境质量评价、重金属污染土壤修复技术等,近10年来污染土壤修复技术表现为从单一修复技术向联合修复技术发展态势。此外,文章对我国农田重金属污染修复的一般程序、不同污染程度农田土壤的安全利用技术与高风险污染土壤的管控技术进行了评价,最后,对我国当前农田重金属污染防治过程中出现的问题进行了思考,同时针对我国今后农田重金属污染防治研究进行展望,提出了基于源头控制与风险管控措施相结合的农田重金属污染防治体系,以期为未来我国农田土壤重金属污染防治研究规划以及土壤重金属污染防治技术的创新提供参考与借鉴。     

干旱区绿洲土壤共存重金属元素形态变化及生物有效性实验分析

采用盆栽试验,初步研究了干旱区绿洲土壤—胡萝卜系统中镉、锌、镍3种重金属的形态变化特征及其生物有效性问题。结果表明：供试绿洲土壤原状土中,Cd、Zn、Ni均以稳定的残渣态形式存在,而处理土壤中重金属被钝化的量有限,Cd的存在形式主要以碳酸盐态为主,Zn、Ni则主要以铁锰氧化态为主;3种元素的活性大小依次为Cd＞Ni＞Zn。根据回归分析,元素Zn对胡萝卜块茎和茎叶吸收Zn量贡献最大的分别是Zn的碳酸盐结合态和铁锰氧化态;元素Ni对胡萝卜各部位吸收贡献最大的均为Ni的铁锰氧化态。     

Metals and grain size distributions in soil of the middle Rio Grande basin, Texas USA

 This paper deals with the problem of increased heavy metal constituents in agricultural soils due to the expanded use of fertilizers and elevated atmospheric deposition. It discusses the extent of contamination in soil and establishes an environmental monitoring program in the chosen area of concern in the southern coastal region of Texas. Grain size, pH, and metals (Cu, Cd, Zn, Pb, Ni, Ba, As, Cr, Mn, and Fe) were determined in soils of the middle Rio Grande basin. The soils were mainly of sand texture and alkaline in character. Fine sand constituted the major proportion of the soil, and clay and silt ranged from 8–30% of the soil. Correlations of metal concentrations to grain size and iron contents were performed. Metals, except Cd and Pb, gave positive to negative relationships with decreases in grain size. Silt gave no relationship with metal content while clay and silt had a positive relationship. All these metals had a positive correlation with iron in the soil. The results indicate metals are associated with coarse sand, clay, and iron hydroxides surfaces of the soil. The comparison of metal content in soil of the middle Rio Grande basin with metals from other areas of the world suggests that it is relatively uncontaminated. Received: 14 December 1998 · Accepted: 19 Jaunuary 1999     

Effect of red mud on the mobility of heavy metals in mining-contaminated soils

The mobility of Cu2+, Zn2+, Ni2+, and Cd2+ in soils treated with red mud was experimentally studied to explore the feasibility of remediation of smelter-contaminated soils. Red mud samples were collected with the Bayer process (BRM) and confederate process (CRM) in the Aluminous Plant of Guizhou Province. Two farmed soil samples were collected from the Niujiaotang mining area, Guizhou Province, Southwest China. One sample was weakly polluted by fly ash; and the other was polluted severely by waste water from the smelter. For evaluating the potential of remediation, the concentrations of free metal ions and the distributions of metals in the soil were determined. The concentrations of free metal ions were measured by using the Donnan Membrane Technique, and the contributions of soil sorbents to the heavy metals adsorptions were calculated with Equilibrium Calculation of Speciation and Transport (ECOSAT). BRM reduced the concentrations of free metal ions in two kinds of soils, while CRM only favored the decrease of the concentrations of free metal ions in seriously contaminated soils. The experimental data also showed a tendency that the concentrations of free metal ions decreased proportionally with the amount of added red mud, which resulted from the increasing adsorption of heavy metal ions in the form of metal ion hydroxides.