Heavy Metal Pollution and Ecological Assessment around the Jinsha Coal-Fired Power Plant (China)

Abstract

Heavy metal pollution is a serious problem worldwide. In this study, 41 soil samples and 32 cabbage samples were collected from the area surrounding the Jinsha coal-fired power plant (JCFP Plant) in Guizhou Province, southwest China. Pb, Cd, Hg, As, Cu and Cr concentrations in soil samples and cabbage samples were analysed to study the pollution sources and risks of heavy metals around the power plant. The results indicate that the JCFP Plant contributes to the Pb, Cd, As, Hg, Cu, and Cr pollution in nearby soils, particularly Hg pollution. Cu and Cr in soils from both croplands and forestlands in the study area derive mainly from crustal materials or natural processes. Pb, Cd and As in soils from croplands arise partly through anthropogenic activities, but these elements in soils from forestlands originate mainly from crustal materials or natural processes. Hg pollution in soils from both croplands and forestlands is caused mainly by fly ash from the JCFP Plant. The cabbages grown in the study area were severely contaminated with heavy metals, and more than 90% of the cabbages had Pb concentrations exceeding the permissible level established by the Ministry of Health and the Standardization Administration of the People’s Republic of China. Additionally, 30% of the cabbages had As concentrations exceeding the permissible level. Because forests can protect soils from heavy metal pollution caused by atmospheric deposition, close attention should be given to the Hg pollution in soils and to the concentrations of Pb, As, Hg and Cr in vegetables from the study area.

Human Health Risk Assessment of Toxic Elements in Farmland Topsoil with Source Identification in Jilin Province, China

“…Soil, a non-renewable resource, is the foremost constituent of the farmland environment, hosting the agricultural production activities due to its unique characteristics [ 1 , 2 ], resulting from the transformation of natural regolith [ 3 ]. Farmland topsoil differs from natural soil because it is strongly shaped by agricultural practices, and has a direct influence on food quality and safety [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]. Furthermore, farmland soil accumulates most of the generated pollutants, especially toxic elements, due to its good absorbability [ 8 , 9 ].…”

“…The toxic elements have different poisoning influence on the human body through their potential effects on the neurological system, kidney function, ossification process and various other organs [ 17 ]. Therefore, many studies have been devoted to soil contamination by toxic elements and management strategies for farmland soil [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 ].…”

Air Quality in Association With Rural Coal Mining and Combustion in New South Wales Australia

“…Of particular interest for the current study are the possible contributions from coal mining and coal combustion. Globally, there is an extensive body of literature that has established the air polluting effects of coal power generation . To a lesser extent, the effects of surface mining for coal on air pollution have also been reported internationally …”

Ecological and human health exposure risks to heavy metals in Oji River sediments: effect of abattoir and power station

“…The release of heavy metals as environmental contaminants and consequent pollution of nearby rivers and soil arising from the operation of power generating plants is well reported [3,11,17]. However, there are hardly studies showing whether or not power distribution stations release heavy metals that could pollute a nearby river (that acts as a receptacle to the station's wastewater) to the extent of posing significant health and ecological risks.…”