Mapping of heavy metal loadings in soils by means of magnetic susceptibility measurements

Contamination of soils with heavy metals is an issue all industrial and urban regions have to deal with. Generally, chemical methods are chosen to monitor soil pollution but measurements of magnetic susceptibility proved to yield additional information at low cost and consuming less time. We measured the magnetic susceptibility of soils which had been analysed chemically during the soil surveys of three Austrian provinces. Each anomaly of susceptibility either coincided with geogenic anomalies or indicated anthropogenic input of pollutants. Regional comparisons of susceptibility with chemical analyses revealed that susceptibility can be used as an indicator for the contents of individual pollutants in soils. This calibration of susceptibility has been successfully applied to an industrial region as well as to an urban environment. Two powerful applications of susceptibility measurements of soils are shown: the identification of polluted areas, and the detailed mapping of these areas to reveal the extent of pollution.     

Field and dual magnetic susceptibility proxies for heavy metal pollution assessment in the urban soil of Al-Karak City, South Jordan

A total of 115 urban soil samples collected on grid bases from Al-Karak, South Jordan, were investigated for their field and dual-frequency magnetic susceptibility (χ _field, χ _d) and heavy metal content using Bartington susceptibility meters and ICP-MS. The upper soils have higher magnetic susceptibility values than lower soils, and large particles contain more heavy metals and higher magnetic susceptibility than smaller particles. This might be attributed to the lack of pedogenesis due to arid climate influence. Within the upper soil all heavy metal showed positive significant correlation with upper soil low-frequency χ _dlf. This was evident from the distribution maps produced by Surfer 9.0 for χ _dlf and heavy metals. The results showed that higher χ _dlf is associated with traffic-dominated sites more than other areas. The frequency-dependent susceptibility (χfd %) falls between 2 and 10 %, which indicate the presence of admixture of fine supermagnetic particles. Mildly correlation exists between χfd % and χ _dlf, which implies that soils contain anthropogenic multi-domain grains. Selected samples have been analyzed for their mineral constituents; the results indicate the presence of magnetite as the main magnetic mineral. This confirms the anthropogenic source of pollution mainly from the vehicle-related materials. The results indicate the applicability of magnetic susceptibility for pollution detection.     

Heavy metals contamination and magnetic susceptibility in soils around metallurgical plant

A non-conventional way of utilizing magnetic susceptibility — soil kappametry — was tested in the area of a major metallurgical plant VSŽ Košice (East Slovakia). Magnetic susceptibility values above background in soil samples indicate higher concentrations of heavy metals in soil, i.e. the soil kappametry can be used as a preliminary quick and inexpensive method for detection of higher heavy metal contents in soils.     

Soil metal pollution from former Zn–Pb mining assessed by geochemical and magnetic investigations: case study of the Bou Caid area (Tissemsilt,Algeria)

Former zinc and lead mines that have been operating for half a century are located in the massif of Bou Caid (Tissemsilt, Algeria). Hazardous heavy metals emitted from the mines are abundant in the surrounding soil and cause strong metal pollution in the region. This paper investigates the extent of lead and zinc mine activity derived pollution by characterizing both magnetic and geochemical properties of samples collected in the vicinity of the mines. The results of the magnetic study show the coexistence of magnetic minerals such as magnetite, hematite and goethite. Analyses on surface soils and weathered rocks suggest that hematite and goethite have ore-related lithogenic origins. Magnetic susceptibility shows a positive correlation with lead content when present in low-to-medium concentrations (< ~500 mg/kg). At higher lead concentrations, there is no correlation with magnetic susceptibility. The relationship between magnetic susceptibility and zinc content is not straightforward. These observations are explained by the higher affinity of Pb to iron oxides at lower pollution levels and their preferential bonding to carbonates when Pb and Zn contents are extremely high, as demonstrated by Iavazzo et al. (J Geochem Explor 113:56–67, 2012) in a study of former Zn–Pb mine in Morocco. Based on the general features of the spatial maps of field-measured magnetic susceptibility, mass-specific magnetic susceptibility, Pb and Zn contents, it is concluded that field magnetic measurements provide a good qualitative proxy of pollution spread out of the mining galleries, while laboratory measurements afford a more detailed investigation of the links between iron oxides and the main heavy metals in the ore.     

The spatial distribution pattern of heavy metal concentrations in urban soils — a study of anthropogenic effects in Berehove,Ukraine

In the present study we examined the Ba, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn contamination levels of the soils of Berehove, a small city in West-Ukraine. As a first step we determined the spatial distribution of the heavy metal contents of the urban soils; then, by studying the land use structure of the city and by statistical analysis we identified the major sources of contamination; we established a matrix of correlations between the heavy metal contents of the soils and the different types of land use; and finally, we drew a conclusion regarding the possible origin(s) of these heavy metals. By means of multivariate statistical analysis we established that of the investigated metals, Ba, Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn accumulated in the city’s soils primarily as a result of anthropogenic activity. In the most polluted urban areas (i.e. in the industrial zones and along the roads and highways with heavy traffic), in the case of several metals (Ba, Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn) we measured concentration levels even two or three times higher than the threshold limit values. Furthermore, Cr, Fe and Ni are primarily of lithogenic origin; therefore, the soil concentrations of these heavy metals depend mainly on the chemical composition of the soil-forming rocks.     

Correlation between magnetic susceptibility and heavy metals in urban topsoil: a case study from the city of Xuzhou, China

Anthropogenic influence, mainly due to urban and industrial activities and traffic exhaust, may affect urban topsoil via atmospheric contamination and solid waste. Magnetic susceptibility measurements were conducted on 21 urban topsoil samples from the city of Xuzhou, China. High intensities of magnetic susceptibility were detected in the majority of the samples. SEM analysis shows that magnetic minerals are in the form of spherules and mainly due to anthropogenic inputs. The heavy metals Pb, Cu, Zn, Se, Sc, Mo, Fe, and Bi show strong correlations with magnetic susceptibility, and Ag, Ba, Cd, Ni, Cr, Sb, and Sn, on the other hand, show a weak correlation with magnetic susceptibility. Whereas, of these metals studied, only Hg has no significant correlation with the susceptibility. The Tomlinson pollution load index (PLI) also shows significant correlation with the susceptibility (χ). The present study shows that magnetic susceptibility is a fast, inexpensive, and non-destructive method for the detection and mapping of contaminated soils.     

Assessing cadmium risk in wheat grain using soil threshold values

At present, the prior-established threshold values are widely used to classify contaminated agricultural soils with heavy metals under the cultivation of a variety of crops, without considering the different sensitivity of plants to heavy metals. Evaluation of the characteristics of cadmium transfer from a polluted calcareous soil to cultivated wheat crop and assessment of the efficiency of using the threshold values to reflect the soil pollution risk by cadmium in Zanjan Zinc Town area at the northwest of Iran were the goals of this study. Totally, 65 topsoil (0–20 cm) and corresponding wheat samples of an agricultural region in the proximity of a metallurgical factory were collected and analyzed for cadmium concentration. The results revealed that industrial activities strongly control cadmium distribution in the studied soils. Relatively high bioavailable cadmium contents (mean 0.77 mg kg^?1) were found in the soils, notwithstanding their alkalinity. It was observed that just 22.5% of the studied area around the Zinc Town is covered by polluted soils with the cadmium concentration exceeding the maximum permissible concentration of 5 mg kg^?1, whereas cadmium concentration in wheat grains of 19 sampled plants is higher than the threshold value of 0.2 mg kg^?1. Among these polluted plants, a total of eight samples were grown in areas classified as unpolluted soils with cadmium, based on the soil threshold value. It seems that this misclassification of polluted soils is mainly related to the crop sensitivity to heavy metals uptake from the soil which should be considered.     

宁沪高速公路句容段两侧土壤磁化率异常与重金属元素的关系研究

高速公路两侧土壤的磁化率从路中央向两侧具有逐渐降低的特征,相对应的样品中的重金属Cu、Pb、Zn、N i、Cr、Fe等元素的含量也具有从路中心向两侧逐渐降低的现象。相关分析表明,土壤磁化率与土壤中的Cu、Pb、Zn、N i、Cr、Fe的相关性显著,因而可以利用磁化率异常来指示高速公路两侧土壤的重金属污染状况。元素的赋存形态分析表明铁锰氧化物态与残渣态是Cu、Pb、Zn、N i、Cr、Fe的主要赋存形式;各元素的形态分析结果与土壤磁化率的相关统计分析表明,高速公路两侧土壤的磁化率与可交换态中的Cu、Pb、Zn、铁锰氧化物态中的Fe、Pb、Zn、有机还原态中的Cu、Cr、Fe、Zn和残渣态中的Cu、Pb、Zn、Cr、Co、N i具有明显的相关性。     

Magnetic properties of river sediments and their relationship with heavy metals and organic matter in the urban area in Lanzhou, China

As the largest industrial city locating in the Northwestern China, Lanzhou has become one of the most seriously polluted cities in the world. In this study, investigations were performed on the magnetic properties, heavy metals and organic matter contents of a total of 23 sediment samples collected from eight selected rivers in the Lanzhou urban area. The results of the study indicate that the magnetic properties of the sediment samples are predominated by low-coercivity magnetite. The river sediments are classified into three types, i.e., downstream polluted, upstream polluted, and less affected, based on the contribution from anthropogenic activities in different segments of the river as indicated by the variation of magnetic mineral concentration parameters. Moreover, a strong linear positive correlation exists among some of the magnetic parameters and organic matter content, heavy metals (Cr, Ni, Pb, Zn, Fe) and total enrichment factor (R) of the bulk deposit samples, which indicates that environmental magnetic technology may be an effective method for distinguishing source apportionment and monitoring river sediment pollution in urban areas.     

岩溶铅锌矿区土壤重金属污染特征

以DX、DW铅锌矿区土壤为研究对象,利用原子吸收光谱法（AA800）、原子荧光光谱法（AF-640）测定土壤中铅、铬、镉、铜、锌、镍、汞和砷等重金属的含量,利用单因子污染指数法、N.L.Nemerow综合污染指数法对比分析土壤中重金属的污染特征,采用PCC统计学方法分析矿区土壤中重金属之间的相关性。结果表明:两矿区土壤中除Cu、Cr外,其余重金属均已对土壤造成单一或复合污染,其中Cd污染最为严重,对综合污染贡献最大。DX、DW矿区土壤重金属的Nemerow指数分别为27.61、63.54,均达到极强污染水平,且DW矿区污染较为严重。DX矿区,除Ni外,Pb、Cr等7种重金属元素之间存相关性;DW矿区,除Cr外,Pb、Ni等7种重金属元素之间存相关性,这可能与二矿区均属多金属伴生、共生矿床有关;土壤中各重金属总含量与pH值没有显著的相关性。研究结果将为合理制定矿区土壤污染的修复和治理措施提供依据。      

Investigation of elemental enrichment and ecological risk assessment of surface soils in two industrial port cities,southwest Iran

In recent years, there has been a rapid growth in the two industrial port cities of Iran, the port of Mahshahr and the port of Imam Khomeini. In spite of their importance for the economy, the two cities require monitoring and assessment from an environmental and human health perspective. In this study, environmental quality and heavy metals pollution of soils influenced by human activities were investigated. A total of 30 soil samples were collected and subjected to detail physicochemical characterization. The results showed high levels of heavy metals in the urban soils of port of Mahshahr (POM) and elevated respective levels in surface soils of the port of Imam Khomeini (PIK) with Ni being significantly higher than those in POM. The integrated pollution index (IPI) values of metals ranged from 1.22 to 1.87 in POM and 1.52 to 3.31in PIK, 50% of soil samples in PIK were classified as highly polluted, and all of the soil samples in PM were classified as moderately polluted. These results are in accordance with Enrichment Factor (EF) values, which showed the role of anthropogenic activities in the soil heavy metal enrichment. Moreover, the highest potential ecological risk index (RI) was found in the sites of petrochemical industries in PIK indicating serious metal contamination. Statistical analysis showed that heavy metals were mainly controlled by human activities. The results showed more dense industrial activity in PIK is responsible for higher pollution. This study establishes a benchmark against which future monitoring and remediation programs can be based on. Because of proximity to the Persian Gulf, continued the release of contaminants into the region, could have adverse biological health effects.     

Urban Soil Microbial Features and Their Environmental Significance as Exemplified by Aberdeen City,UK

Urban soil research has invoked great interest in recent years.Previous studies were mainly focused on urban soil physics and chemistry,and soil geography to constrain the source,distribution,transport and deposition of pollutants such as heavy metals and health-hazardous organic matter,bu t litte has been done on soil microbiology.In this paper,the authors reported the variation of microbial features in urban soils compared with those from adjacent rual areas.The results show great changes in basal respiration rates microbial biomass and ecophysiological parameters have taken place in urban environment because of the anthropogenic stress, thus activating the microorganisms.As a result,much more energy,carbon is consumed at a low utilization efficiency.So microbial biosensors can be used to indicate urban environmental pollution effectively.     

Heavy metal contamination of urban soils and street dusts in Hong Kong

Due to rapid urbanisation and scarcity of land, most of the urban parks and recreational areas in Hong Kong are built close to major roads or industrial areas, where they are subject to many potential pollution sources, including vehicle exhaust and industrial emissions. An extensive soil survey was conducted in urban parks of Hong Kong to study the current conditions of heavy metals contamination in soils. Soil samples and associated street dusts were collected from more than 60 parks and public amenity areas in old urban districts, industrial areas and New Towns of the territory. Soils were also sampled in the remote country parks to establish the baseline conditions. The total concentrations of heavy metals and major elements in the samples were determined. The results indicate that urban soils in Hong Kong have elevated concentrations of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn. The parks with high metal concentrations are located in old urban commercial districts and industrial areas, indicating that the major contamination sources in these soils are traffic emissions and industrial activities. In addition, the application of Cd containing phosphate fertilizers may be an important source of Cd in urban park soils. The street dusts have highly elevated Zn concentration, particularly along the main trunk roads. The high Zn content in the street dusts may come from traffic sources, especially vehicle tyres. Selective soil and road dust samples were also analysed for potential chemical speciation by a sequential chemical extraction method. The chemical partitioning results show that Pb and Zn are mainly in the carbonate/adsorbed and Fe–Mn oxide phases, while Cu is largely associated with the organic and sulphide fractions. The high exchangeable Cd in urban soils and high concentration of Zn in street dusts need further investigation for their ecological and health implications.     

济南市土壤元素地球化学特征及环境质量

以济南市土壤为研究对象,采用R-2.6.1程序、半方差函数模型和因子分析法对区内土壤元素含量统计特征、结构特征和分布特征进行了分析研究,并对土壤环境质量进行评价。结果表明:研究区土壤中多数元素含量总体受自然空间格局控制,但人类活动对市区土壤Cd、Hg、Pb、Se、As、p H值等元素(指标)含量有明显影响,表层土壤p H值呈现从外围向市区中心增加的碱化趋势;盛行风向对表层土壤重金属的分布叠加也产生影响,沿顺风向产生漂移。受人类活动(主要为工业污染)历史长短及强度的不同,济南市区、历城区和章丘市总体为轻度污染,局部存在Hg、Cu、Cr、Cd等中度或重度污染,污染区分布与各类工业空间布局相吻合,而长清、济阳土壤环境质量较好,总体属警戒限级。按土壤综合污染指数排序,土壤综合环境质量从优到劣为济阳长清章丘历城市区。     

Evaluation of heavy metal contamination and implication of multiple sources from Hunchun basin, northeastern China

Present concentrations and distributions of heavy metals through profiles, surface soil, and stream sediment samples in the Hunchun area, north-eastern China, were investigated to determine the elemental background values. This study also aims to characterize potentially toxic materials such as pulverized fly ash (PFA) from power stations or ash and slag from coal used domestically in urban areas, agrochemicals applied inappropriately, and urban sewage sludges from Hunchun City, as well as to ascertain the possibility of natural enrichment through site characterization by mineralogical and geochemical investigation. The distribution of contaminants in the alluvial soils (fluvisol) of this area has been influenced by several interacting factors. The parent alluvial materials from weathered products of amphiboles have made coatings such as ferrihydrite, goethite, and hematite. This natural inheritance factor is supported by the fact that the concentrations of weak acid-extractable (plant-available) heavy metals are very low, except for Fe and Mn. However, in agricultural soils and adjacent stream sediments, an anthropogenic input of Cd, Pb, Ni and Cr by agrochemicals is strongly suggested. Also, F contamination by coal combustion and the dissolution of F-bearing minerals could cause some future problems. Wide distribution and significantly high concentrations of Cd, Fe, Mn, and F in soils throughout the combination of pollutants originating from lithogenic and the anthropogenic sources pose potential problems in utilizing water resources. Received: 14 June 1999 · Accepted: 27 December 1999     

广西贵港岩溶地质高背景区富含铁锰结核土壤的矿物学与重金属地球化学特征

岩溶地质高背景区土壤中普遍存在的铁锰结核对重金属的赋存状态和有效性有重要影响。选择广西贵港覃塘岩溶地质高背景区富含铁锰结核的表层土壤(0~20 cm)为研究对象,筛分出不同粒径的铁锰结核(10~120目)和细粒径土壤(<120目)样品进行化学分析,针对以下三个方面开展研究:(1)重金属(As、Cd、Cr、Cu、Hg、Ni、Pb和Zn)在铁锰结核和细粒径土壤中的分布分配规律和铁氧化物矿物的组成;(2)铁氧化物矿物对富含铁锰结核的土壤中Cd等重金属富集的影响;(3)重金属在富含铁锰结核的土壤中的赋存机制。研究发现,铁锰结核中的Fe和Mn以及Cd等重金属含量随着粒径的增大而不断增加,说明Cd等重金属元素更倾向于在大粒径铁锰结核中富集;土壤中Cd等重金属总量的约90%赋存在结核中,表明研究区土壤中重金属主要以结核形式赋存;富含铁锰结核的土壤中赤铁矿和针铁矿的平均含量分别为0.61%和4.94%,且结核粒径越大,针铁矿和赤铁矿含量越高;除Hg外,Cd等重金属含量与针铁矿和赤铁矿的含量均呈现极显著正相关,与赤铁矿的相关性稍优于针铁矿,表明铁氧化物矿物与富含铁锰结核土壤中的Cd等重金属元素富集密切相关。铁锰结核的存在既能促进Cd等重金属在土壤中的富集,又能降低土壤中重金属的生物有效性,研究结果为解释岩溶地质高背景区土壤Cd等重金属元素高含量、低生物有效性提供了理论依据。     

北京市道路尘中重金属时空分布特征及污染程度评价

北京市作为我国的经济和文化中心,高速的城市化进程带来了一系列的环境问题。城市道路尘可以通过不同途径进入人体,对人体健康造成伤害。本研究采集了春、冬两季北京市6类功能区中道路尘样品46件,研究了其中Cr、Pb、Cd、As和Hg元素的含量和空间分布特征,并采用单因子指数法和内梅罗污染指数法,评价了道路尘中重金属污染程度。结果表明:除冬季As元素外,其余元素平均含量均高于北京市土壤背景值; 5种重金属元素平均含量一般为市区最高,郊区最低。单因子污染评价表明,冬、春两季各个功能区道路尘中除As元素无污染外,其余元素均具有一定程度的污染,其中Cd元素污染程度最高;冬季各功能区道路尘中重金属元素综合污染指数评价均为轻度污染;春季郊区为尚清洁,工厂区、居民区和商业区为轻度污染,休闲区和教育区为中度污染。     

江苏主要公路两侧农田土壤重金属污染现状初步研究

分析研究了宁通公路、204国道两条主要公路两侧农田土壤Pb、Cr、Ni、Zn、Cd含量分布特征、影响范围及其差异,并对公路旁农田土壤重金属累积程度、潜在生态危害进行了评价。结果发现,同一公路不同路段土壤重金属累积含量程度不同;两条公路两侧土壤重金属含量累积程度不高,潜在综合生态危害程度都很低,以轻微危害为主;而由汽车轮胎摩擦产生的Cd在公路两侧农田土壤中累积程度最高,为最主要的污染重金属;不同等级的公路两侧土壤重金属累积范围存在差异,宁通公路为0m-50m,204国道为0m-30m。     

郑州市土壤重金属污染状况和质量评价

本文采用电感耦合等离子体质谱、原子荧光光谱法对郑州市及周边地区化探扫面(1∶10万)采集的1014个表层土壤样品进行分析,结合单因子污染指数法、内梅罗指数法评价了土壤中重金属含量水平、形态特征和污染分布状况。结果表明,8种重金属的平均含量都低于《土壤环境质量标准》Ⅰ类土壤的临界值;从地表到深部重金属元素含量逐步降低;在测区1000 km2范围内,一级、二级、三级土壤面积分别占89.6%、9.4%、1.0%,土壤质量总体良好。在极个别中、重度污染区,重金属主要以难以迁移和被植物利用的残渣态、铁锰氧化态形式存在,目前对人及环境的实际危害很小。     

Trace metal assessment in soils in a small city and its rural surroundings,Pensacola, FL,USA

This study assesses the origin and pollution of trace metals in surface soils in a region with contrasting land uses (urban vs. rural). Principal component analysis (PCA) reveals that Cr and Ni are predominantly of geogenic origin. These two trace metals are also the only ones with statistically significant correlations with soil particle size and organic matter content. Copper, Pb and Zn, and possibly Hg, are of anthropogenic origin, but their concentrations rarely reach levels described as strongly polluted by pollution indexes. The concentrations of these anthropogenic trace metals are statistically not different in urban and rural areas, except for Pb that is higher in the urban area. This general lack of a difference between the two land uses indicates that the influence of this small urban area on trace metal concentrations in soils is minor. Lead and Zn have the most, but still a modest number, of strongly polluted sites, mainly in an industrial part of the city. GIS analysis shows that, based on the pollution load index (PLI), overall concentrations of trace metals also reach their highest levels in that industrial area. These observations indicate that the influence of industry on trace metal pollution in soil exceeds that of other urban activities in the region. Local background concentrations were found to be very different from general crustal background concentrations. This demonstrates the importance of the careful selection of a background type in studies like this.