Lead Contamination and Source Characterization in Soils Around a Lead–Zinc Smelting Plant in a Near-Urban Environment in Baoji, China

Abstract

Economic reforms in China since 1978 have promoted nationwide socioeconomic advancement but led to a considerable amount of environmental pollution. The distribution and sources of Pb in a typical peri-urban industrial part of Baoji, China, were assessed by determining the Pb contents and isotopic compositions in 52 topsoil samples from the study area. The topsoil samples were polluted averagely with 40.88 mg Pb kg, was 1.86 times higher than the Pb content of local background soil (22.04 mg kg). Pb isotopic compositions were determined by analyzing samples prepared using total digestion and acid extraction methods. Radiogenic isotopes contributed more to the Pb concentrations in the acid extracts than in the total digests. This was shown by the Pb andPb ratios, which were 0.845-0.88 and 2.088-2.128, respectively, in the acid extracts and 0.841-0.875 and 2.086-2.125, respectively, in the total digests. This indicates that anthropogenic sources of Pb could be identified more sensitively in acid extracts than in total digests. The Pb isotope ratios showed that burning coal and smelting ore are the predominant anthropogenic sources of Pb in the study area, i.e., a lead-zinc smelter and a coking plant are major sources of Pb in the study area.

Review on the Effects of Combined Pollution of Lead and Chromium on Soil Microorganisms and Treatment Methods

“…As one of the most important forms of pollution caused by industrial pollution (Li et al, 2018;Fan, 2011), heavy metal pollution is seriously affecting all aspects of human living environment. At present, more than 20 million•hm 2 of arable land in China has been polluted by heavy metals (Duan et al, 2014a;Deng, 2016;Li et al, 2005). Among them, about 3.33 million•hm 2 of arable land has reached medium and severe pollution, and no more cultivation is possible.…”

Identification of sources of metal in the agricultural soils of the Guanzhong Plain, northwest China

“…In addition, excessive application of mineral fertilizers or pesticides, driven by the economic benefits of enhanced crop yields, represents another threat to agricultural soils. The increase in pollutant release might have a substantial influence on local agricultural production, as metals and other contaminants might enter and accumulate in farmland through atmospheric deposition and agricultural activities, which could raise the risk of food chain pollution in the agricultural ecosystem . Hence, it is important to assess the quality and characteristics of metal contamination in agricultural soils.…”

Association of Urine Lead Exposure with Lipid Metabolism Risk Factors and Diseases in Xinxiang, China

“…The health hazards caused by lead exposure are multifaceted and multi-system. Lead exposure can damage the nervous, immune and digestive systems, as well as many other bodily systems [2,3]. China's rapid economic development has not only brought environmental pollution problems, but also improved people's living standards and greatly improved residents' diet.…”