The Levels, Sources, and Spatial Distribution of Heavy Metals in Soils from the Drinking Water Sources of Beijing, China

Abstract

Our study area is the upstream watershed of the Guanting and Miyun Reservoirs; together, these two reservoirs comprise the main drinking water source of Beijing, China. In order to prevent crop contamination and preserve the quality of the water and soil, it is important to investigate the spatial distribution and the sources of the heavy metals in farmland soils on the watershed scale. For this study, we collected 23,851 farmland surface soil samples. Based on our analysis of the concentrations of eight heavy metals in these samples, we found that the overall soil quality in our study area is excellent, but that the Cd, Cu, Zn, and Cr contamination risks are relatively high. Moreover, a percentage of samples exceeded the Cd (1.54%,), Cu (0.28%), Zn (0.25%), Cr (0.13%), Pb (0.09%), As (0.05%), Ni (0.04%), and Hg (0.02%) risk screening values for soil contamination in agricultural land. In addition to determining the spatial distribution characteristics of the heavy metal concentrations of the soil samples, we also conducted a factor analysis and an R cluster analysis (CA) whcih can gathered the similar variables to track the sources of the heavy metals. We found that the Cd, Pb, and Zn are likely sourced from a quartz syenite porphyry body and from coal-fired enterprises, while the Cr, Cu, and Ni contaminations are mainly caused by runoff from iron ore smelting. Additionally, agricultural production contributes to the local accumulation of Cu, and industrial (smelting) discharge is partially responsible for the As contamination. As a result of the atmospheric deposition of pollutants, areas with high Hg concentrations are generally centered on large- and medium-sized cities. Due to these high natural heavy metal background values, the existing and future heavy metal contamination in the watershed poses a serious ecological risk to both the soil and the surface water.

Heavy Metal Accumulation and Source Apportionment in Urban River under Ecological Restoration: Relationships with Land Use and Risk Assessment Based on Monte Carlo Simulation

“…The YDR locates in a continental arid/semi-arid zone and flows through the Guanting Reservoir, an ecological reserve in Beijing . With a total storage capacity of 4.16 billion m 3 , the Guanting Reservoir is an alternative drinking water source during the period of water shortage .…”

“…Furthermore, the relatively significant correlation between Ni proportion variation and that of water area (R = 0.61, p < 0.05) implied the potential Ni sources of industrial wastewater from metal processing in the YDR. 70 With a total storage capacity of 4.16 billion m 3 , the Guanting Reservoir is an alternative drinking water source during the period of water shortage. 48 Therefore, to guarantee the safety of drinking water and provide ecological services to urban residents, the exposure risk evaluation of HMs in the YDR is rather crucial.…”

Mitigating Fluoride, Lead, Arsenic and Cadmium Toxicities in Laboratory Animals and Ruminants through Natural Products

“…Environmental pollutants are widely distributed [11] and are produced by natural factors including geological degradation of bedrock materials, volcanic eruptions, salt spray, forest fires, rock weathering, biogenic sources, and wind-blown soil particles [12]. These latter are also produced by anthropogenic inputs that cause disturbances and acceleration of the natural geochemical cycle [13].…”

Mathematical and Statistical Evaluation of Reverse Osmosis in the Removal of Manganese as a Way to Achieve Sustainable Operating Parameters

“…The pollution of water bodies by heavy metals is a global problem [ 8 ]. The presence of these metals in water dams and groundwaters is especially dangerous, since this water is the main source of supply for population centers [ 9 , 10 ]. Water with a concentration of heavy metals above the maximum concentration limits (MCLs) stipulated in international standards is not safe for human use or consumption.…”