Spatial Patterns and Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Soils in a Resource-Exhausted City, Northeast China

Chen, Hongwei; An, Jing; Wei, Shuhe; Gu, Jiande

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0137694

Cited by 28 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…The single-factor pollution index (PI) and the Nemerow’s synthetic pollution index (PN) were defined to evaluate the presence of a single heavy metal, and to assess the pollution levels in the studying station.

where PI is the single-factor pollution index of the ith heavy metal;

is the concentration of the ith heavy metal, mg/kg;

is the standard of the ith heavy metal, mg/kg, according to Chinese Control Standards for Pollutants in Sludge from Agricultural Use (GB4284-84, Ph ≥ 6.5), the corresponding standard values (

) for Pb, Cu, Zn, Ni, Cr, As and Cd are 300, 250, 500, 100, 600, 75 and 5 mg/kg respectively [ 30 ]. The pollution status of heavy metals is classified into five levels based on the corresponding PI values: no contamination (PI ≤ 1.0), low level of contamination (1.0 < PI ≤ 2.0), moderate level of contamination (2.0 < PI ≤ 3.0), strong level of contamination (3.0 < PI ≤ 5.0) and very strong level of contamination (PI > 5.0) [ 16 , 19 , 31 , 32 ].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Disposal Situation of Sewage Sludge from Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs) and Assessment of the Ecological Risk of Heavy Metals for Its Land Use in Shanxi, China

Duan

Zhang

Zheng

et al. 2017

IJERPH

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Land use of sewage sludge is the primary disposal method in Shanxi, accounting for 42.66% of all. To determine the ecological risk of heavy metals in sewage sludge, contents of seven heavy metals in sewage sludge from 9 municipal waste water treatment plants (WWTPs) that had the highest application for land use were determined. The order of the measured concentrations was: Zn > Cr > Cu > Ni > Pb > As > Cd, and all heavy metals contents were within the threshold limit values of the Chinese Control Standards for Pollutants in Sludge from Agriculture Use (GB4284-84). Four indices were used to assess the pollution and the ecological risk of heavy metals. By the mean values of the geoaccumulation index (I geo ), heavy metals were ranked in the following order: Cd > Zn > Cu > As > Cr > Ni > Pb. The values showed that the pollution of Zn in station 3 and Cd in station 1, 2, 3, 4, 8 and 9 were heavily; Cu in station 8 and 9, Zn in station 1, 2, 4, 8 and 9 and Cd in station 5 and 7 were moderately to heavily, and the accumulation of other heavy metals were not significant. The single-factor pollution index (PI) suggested that none of the stations had heavy metals contamination, except for Cu in station 9, Zn in station 3 and 8, and Cd in station 1 and 9, which were at a moderate level. According to the results of the Nemerow's synthetic pollution index (PN), sewage sludge from all stations was safe for land use with respect to heavy metals contamination, except for stations 3, 8 and 9, which were at the warning line. The monomial potential ecological risk coefficient (E i r ) revealed that heavy metals ecological risks in most stations were low. However, station 9 had a moderate risk for Cu; station 6 had a moderate risk, stations 5 and 7 had high risk, other stations had very high risk for Cd. According to the results of the potential ecological risk index (RI), station 1, 8 and 9 had high risk; station 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7 had a moderate risk, and station 6 had a low risk. The preliminary results indicated that the potential risk of land exposure to heavy metals in sewage sludge was relatively low, with Zn and Cd as the main contributor to the ecological risk for the applying of sewage sludge on land. Additionally, stations 3, 8 and 9 require more attention regarding the land applications related to heavy metals pollution.

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where PI is the single-factor pollution index of the ith heavy metal;

is the concentration of the ith heavy metal, mg/kg;

is the standard of the ith heavy metal, mg/kg, according to Chinese Control Standards for Pollutants in Sludge from Agricultural Use (GB4284-84, Ph ≥ 6.5), the corresponding standard values (

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Disposal Situation of Sewage Sludge from Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs) and Assessment of the Ecological Risk of Heavy Metals for Its Land Use in Shanxi, China

Duan

Zhang

Zheng

et al. 2017

IJERPH

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“…This process differs according to crop type, species, and plant parts (Säumel et al, 2012;von Hoffen and Säumel, 2014;Warming et al, 2015). We have found robust implemented urban EGI systems that takes into account trace metals can assist in counterbalancing external food resources (Chen et al, 2015;Olowoyo and Lion, 2016;Säumel et al, 2012).…”

Section: Egi and Urban Agriculturementioning

confidence: 99%

Edible green infrastructure: An approach and review of provisioning ecosystem services and disservices in urban environments

Russo

Escobedo

Cirella

et al. 2017

Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment

203

102

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Recently published green infrastructure, nature-based solutions, and ecosystem disservices (ED) literature have focused primarily on the supply of urban regulating and cultural ecosystem services (ES). Other literature on urban and peri-urban agriculture has mostly studied the role of localized, intensive agricultural practices in providing food to inhabitants. The aim of this review is to raise awareness and stress the knowledge gap on the importance of urban provisioning ES, particularly when implementing an edible green infrastructure (EGI) approach as it can offer improved resilience and quality of life in cities. We compiled and systematically analyzed studies on urban ES and ED related to a number of EGI typologies. Our systematic review of the relevant literature via an EGI framework, identified more than 80 peer-reviewed publications that focused on ES and food production in urban areas. An EGI approach can contribute socially, economically, and environmentally to urban sustainability and food security. However, such benefits must be weighed against ED trade-offs, including: potential health risks caused by human exposure to heavy metals and organic chemical contaminants often present in urban surroundings. We conclude with recommendations and guidelines for incorporating EGI into urban planning and design, and discuss novel areas for future research. 1. NBS is an approach that improves upon the livability and resilience of cities in retrospect to climate change. Although these concepts are apparently used interchangeably, below we refer to urban GI as hybrid infrastructure of green and built systems (e.g. urban forests, wetlands, parks, green roofs, and walls that together can contribute to ecosystem resilience) and human benefits through their ecological processes or ES (Demuzere et al., 2014; Russo et al., 2016). These benefits or ES are also referred to as NBS when GI is incorporated into urban management, planning, design, and sociopolitical practices and policies for climate change mitigation and adaptation. Indeed, urban GI has been found to contribute positively to outdoor and indoor environments (Russo et al., 2016; Wang et al., 2014), while providing many relevant ES − including important health benefits (Coutts and Hahn, 2015). As such, GI delivers measurable ES and benefits that are fundamental to the concept of a sustainable city (Ahern et al., 2014). Urban and peri-urban agriculture and forestry (UPAF), on the other hand have been studied and can be considered a set of experiences and practices for implementing the GI approach in and around cities (Eigenbrod and Gruda, 2015; Escobedo et al., 2011). UPAF systems focus on agro-forestry production and agro-ecological practices (e.g. production of vegetables, mushrooms, fruits, crops, aromatic and medicinal herbs, and ornamental plants) as well as the raising of animals (e.g. livestock and aquaculture) in and around urban areas (FAO, 2016). Whereas GI, as stated earlier, is closely related to ES and human wellbeing, with particular focus on regu...

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“…Moreover, the increase has been swift over the last two decades owing to rapid growth of the economy, industrialization and anization. 3 , 6 , 8 , 10 , 12 , 14 , 16 , 21 , 24 , 31 , 32 , 34 , 35 , 40 , 45–48 Even though the seriousness of the problem has been known for the last few decades, pollution continues to worsen and there have been limited successful approaches to resolving this issue. 24 However, due to the emergence of comprehensive pollution reports in 2014, greater focus has been given to the extent of emissions of Pb, Hg, Cd, Cr and As due to their high toxicity, prevalence, and persistence in the environment.…”

Section: Extent Of Soil Contamination In Chinamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Industrial expansion has increased the amount of heavy metals released into soils. 3 , 6 , 8 , 10 , 12 , 16 , 17 China feeds 22% of the world population with 7% of the worlds arable land. 18 However, soil quality decline and associated ecological, environmental and health problems have worsened in recent years.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Review of the Spatial Distribution, Source and Extent of Heavy Metal Pollution of Soil in China: Impacts and Mitigation Approaches

Sodango

Sha

et al. 2018

Journal of Health and Pollution

112

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Background.China has undergone a rapid industrial revolution and urbanization during the past three decades. This expansion is largely responsible for the release of a large amount of heavy metals into soils and is increasingly raising concerns over the potential effects on human health and the environment. The problem is drawing increasing attention, especially after an extensive nationwide soil survey report in 2014. A number of studies have examined soil contamination by heavy metals in China. However, most of these studies have been small in scale and it is therefore challenging to get a general overview of the level of contamination across the entire country.Objectives.The present study is aimed at presenting a synthesized overview of the extent, pattern, and impact of heavy metal contamination of soils in China, including mitigation approaches.Methods.Eighty-six journal articles and other literature such as reports, internet sources, and statistical yearbooks were narratively and critically synthesized to compile a holistic summary of sources of heavy metals, the extent of pollution, spatial distribution and impact of heavy metal contamination in China. The major findings from these studies are presented, along with mitigation approaches applicable to China.Discussion.A synthesis of major findings from recent scientific journals shows that about 10.18% of farmland soils which supports 13.86% of grain production in China is affected by heavy metals. The main sources of pollution are anthropogenic activities. Even though the spatial distribution of pollution is highly variable owing to natural and human factors, provinces with intensive industrial activities such as Henan, Shandong, and Sichuan are more highly polluted than others. These regions are top grain producing areas and hence require close follow-up for development of feasible approaches to mitigating crop contamination and associated health risks emerging in parts of China. The government recently launched a program aimed at determining sound reclamation strategies.Conclusion.Mitigation of heavy metal contamination in China requires coordination of different actors and integration of all feasible reclamation approaches.Competing Interests.The authors declare no competing financial interests.

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Spatial Patterns and Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Soils in a Resource-Exhausted City, Northeast China

Cited by 28 publications

References 26 publications

Disposal Situation of Sewage Sludge from Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs) and Assessment of the Ecological Risk of Heavy Metals for Its Land Use in Shanxi, China

Disposal Situation of Sewage Sludge from Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs) and Assessment of the Ecological Risk of Heavy Metals for Its Land Use in Shanxi, China

Edible green infrastructure: An approach and review of provisioning ecosystem services and disservices in urban environments

Review of the Spatial Distribution, Source and Extent of Heavy Metal Pollution of Soil in China: Impacts and Mitigation Approaches

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