Trace Metal Legacy in Mountain Environments

Scientists' warning of threats to mountains

“…Further, fish stocking introduced heavy metals such as mercury in mountain ecosystems (Hansson et al, 2017b). Other sources of pollution include extreme weather events releasing legacy pollutants from mining, tourists introducing UV blockers as part of personal care products, and atmospheric transport of pollutants releasing a plethora of different molecules (Gross, 2022;Le Roux et al, 2020;Pozo et al, 2007). Mountains are also at risk of acidification when they are located downwind of Nitrogen or Sulphur emission sources and buffering capacity of freshwater is low.…”

“…The scavenging of atmospheric organic and inorganic pollutants is pronounced at high altitudes and can take the form of dry and wet deposition of aerosols to the ground surface (Daly and Wania, 2005;Le Roux et al, 2016;Le Roux et al, 2020). Atmospheric pollutants in mountains include trace elements (Camarero et al, 2009) (Yang et al, 2010), organic and synthetic pollutants (i.e.…”

Trace metal contamination in soils from mountain regions across China: spatial distribution, sources, and potential drivers

“…The mountain critical zone is sensitive to human-and climate-induced rapid environmental changes (Le Roux et al, 2020). Mountain systems are experiencing strong climate and land-use changes (Hagedorn et al, 2010), which may alter the cycling of trace metals in the soil-plant system.…”

“…More importantly, China's mountains provide plentiful economic and socioecological resources, services, and functions for humans, including playing a vital role in regulating climate changes (Wu and Bing, 2012). If mountain soils become contaminated by trace metals, their services and functions will be reduced, partially because of the shallow soil layers at high altitudes and their susceptibility to soil erosion (Le Roux et al, 2020).…”

“…Thus, humans and animals could face a risk of exposure to trace metals. With rapid climate and environmental changes, especially increased extreme climatic events, the trace metals accumulated in soils can be remobilized by intense grazing activities, soil erosion, or acidification, causing secondary pollution input (Bacardit and Camarero, 2010;Hansson et al, 2017;Le Roux et al, 2020). Therefore, there is urgency to assess the contamination characteristics of soil trace metals and uncover their potential drivers in mountain regions.…”