Heavy metal pollution in China: Origin, pattern and control

Abstract

Goal, Scope and Background. Heavy metal is among one of the pollutants, which cause severe threats to humans and the environment in China. The aim of the present review is to make information on the source of heavy metal pollution, distribution of heavy metals in the environment, and measures of pollution control accessible internationally, which are mostly published in Chinese.Methods. Information from scientific journals, university journals and governmental releases are compiled focusing mainly on Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn. Partly M, As, Cr, Fe, Hg, Mn and Ni are included also in part as well.Results and Discussion. In soil, the average contents of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn are 0.097, 22.6, 26.0 and 74.2 mg/kg, respectively. In the water of the Yangtze River Basin, the concentrations of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn are 0.080, 7.91, 15.7 and 18.7 ~ag/L, respectively. In reference to human activities, the heavy metal pollution comes from three sources: industrial emission, wastewater and solid waste. The environment such as soil, water and air were polluted by heavy metals in some cases. The contents of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn even reach 3.16, 99.3, 84.1 and 147 mg/kg, respectively, in the soils of a wastewater irrigation zone. These contaminants pollute drinking water and food, and threaten human health. Some diseases resulting from pollution of geological and environmental origin, were observed with long-term and non-reversible effects.Conclusions. In China, the geological background level of heavy metal is low, but with the activity of humans, soil, water, air, and plants are polluted by heavy metals in some cases and even affect human health through the food chain.Recommendations and Outlook. To remediate and improve environmental quality is a long strategy for the polluted area to keep humans and animals healthy. Phytoremediation would be an effective technique to remediate the heavy metal pollutions.

Future threats to agricultural food production posed by environmental degradation, climate change, and animal and plant diseases – a risk analysis in three economic and climate settings

“…Although it is known that chemical pollutants reach agricultural soils by a number of different routes, including air, rain, irrigation, and direct application as pesticides, even in countries with developed monitoring systems it is difficult to estimate how seriously the soil is contaminated (Montanarella 2007). While human exposure to contamination can be linked to adverse health effects (Cheng 2003;Oberson and Lafon 2010), it is difficult to find evidence in the international literature of severe, large-scale production losses, or of losses of agricultural land, that are due to acute pollution; the exception here is metal pollution (Zheljazkov 1996). Even so, land has been deemed unsuitable for agricultural production after industrial accidents, based on risk assessments focusing on food safety.…”

Simultaneous removal of cadmium and nitrate in aqueous media by nanoscale zerovalent iron (nZVI) and Au doped nZVI particles

“…Due to water shortages and lack of treatment facilities, water contaminated with nitrate (resulting from the overuse of synthetic fertilizers) and metals (e.g. Cd) is used for irrigating vegetables and grains , which could lead to high nitrate and heavy metal concentrations in vegetables and grains (Cheng, 2003;Cheng et al, 2010). While Cd damages lungs, kidneys, liver and reproductive organs (Guy et al, 2009), nitrate can cause methemoglobinemia in infants (Rogan and Brady, 2009).…”

Metals contamination along the watershed and estuarine areas of southern Bohai Sea, China

“…In the past few decades, metals contamination in the environment has been attracting increasing concern around the world due to their toxicity, persistence and bioaccumulation characteristics (Cheng, 2003;Davis and Atkins, 2001). Unlike organic pollutants which can be degraded to less harmful components by biological or chemical processes, metals are considered as not naturally decomposable.…”

“…Metal contents along the watershed of Jie River were significantly greater than in other locations. The detection of metals in relatively high concentrations from different environmental matrices in this region indicates the necessity of further studies.Ó 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.In the past few decades, metals contamination in the environment has been attracting increasing concern around the world due to their toxicity, persistence and bioaccumulation characteristics (Cheng, 2003;Davis and Atkins, 2001). Unlike organic pollutants which can be degraded to less harmful components by biological or chemical processes, metals are considered as not naturally decomposable.…”