Heavy metal contamination and ecological risk assessment of the agricultural soil in Shanxi Province, China

Abstract

To assess contamination levels and ecological risks of heavy metals in agricultural soil from Shanxi Province of China, a total of 33 samples in the surface soil were collected from 11 cities in Shanxi. The soil samples were digested by a mixed acid of nitric acid and hydrofluoric acid on a microwave digestion system, then the levels of eight heavy metals were analysed using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. The pollution levels of soil heavy metals were evaluated using a geo-accumulation index and their ecological risks were assessed using risk index calculated by Hakanson's method. As a result, the average concentrations of the heavy metals As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn were 12.9 ± 4.8, 0.35 ± 0.23, 43 ± 14, 27 ± 19, 0.25 ± 0.14, 21.7 ± 5.7, 17 ± 13 and 89 ± 53 mg kg −1 , respectively. By comparison to the Chinese soil environmental quality (GB15618-2018), only 9% of Cd samples and 3% of Cu samples exceeded their corresponding screening criteria. Subsequently, the results of geo-accumulation indices suggested that Shanxi's soil suffered from moderate to heavy contamination posed by Cd and Hg, and risk indices exhibited a similar trend that Cd and Hg were the main contributors for considerable to very high ecological risk. Finally, the analysis of variance indicated that the mean levels of Cd significantly occurred at Yuncheng areas among the 11 cities ( n = 3, p < 0.05), but Hg concentrations did not have significantly statistical differences. This study demonstrated that metals Cd and Hg had higher levels and ecological risks for agricultural soil in Shanxi, especially, Yuncheng City suffered from heavy Cd contamination. The findings of the present study will provide basic information on management and control of the agricultural soil contamination in Shanxi Province, China.

Passive Smoking Is Associated with Multiple Heavy Metal Concentrations among Housewives in Shanxi Province, China

“…The median concentrations of toxic heavy metals (Pb and Cd) in our study were higher than those in French residents (Pb: 1342.55 vs. 410 ng/g, and Cd: 23.83 vs. 11 ng/g) [ 30 ]. The results might be related to the fact that Shanxi Province used to be one of the world’s leading coal-producing areas [ 31 ] and had higher environmental exposure to Pb and Cd. Our study also found that Pb and Cd concentrations were higher in passive smokers, but those associations were not statistically significant.…”

Evaluation of Potential Ecological Risk Index of Toxic Metals Contamination in the Soils

“…Toxic metal contamination has been linked to serious health consequences in humans, including cardiac diseases, skeletal illnesses, infertility as well as neurological disorders [2,7]. Some elements, like Cd, Hg, Cu, and As, etc., are poisonous and harmful to people, even at low concentrations [8,9]. These metals concentrate in adipose tissues, bones, muscles, and joints after entering the body, causing a variety of disorders [10,11].…”

“…The findings revealed that Cd was the main contaminant, which might be attributable to human activities such as the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in the sampling area. Qi et al [9] investigated the levels of heavy metal contaminations (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn) and ecological risks in agricultural soil in Shanxi Province, China. A total of 33 surface soil samples were collected from 11 cities in Shanxi.…”

Ecological Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Soil of Lagos State University, Epe, Lagos State, Nigeria

“…Fakayode and Onianwa, [16] carried out heavy metal contamination of soil and bioaccumulation I Guinea grass around Ikeja industrial estate, Lagos State, Nigria. The work showed that the level of metals in the soils and plants around the estate were found to be significantly higher than the background concentrations obtained at the remote control sites Qi et al [21] studied the heavy metals contamination and ecological risk assessment of the agricultural soil in Shanxi Province, China. The study demonstrated that Cd and Hg had higher levels of ecological risk for agricultural soil in Shanxi Province of China.…”