Identification of heavy metal sources in the reclaimed farmland soils of the pearl river estuary in China using a multivariate geostatistical approach.
Heavy metals in the reclaimed farmland soils of the Pearl River Estuary in China have attracted much attention because of the health risk posed to local residents. The identification of heavy metal sources in these soils is necessary to reduce their health risk. Reclaimed farmland soil samples were collected from 144 sites in the Pearl River Estuary and the contents of heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Cr, Ni, Cu, and Zn) were determined. All these heavy metals showed concentrations substantially higher than their background values, indicating possible anthropogenic pollution. The results of a multivariate geostatistical method demonstrate that grouped Cd, Cr, and Cu were mainly controlled by chemical fertilizers. Grouped Pb and Zn were the most severely impacted by atmospheric deposition from Guangzhou and Foshan, and Ni was primarily impacted by electroplating factories' wastewater discharge.
South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou 510300, China; Key Laboratory of Fishery Ecology and Environment, Guangdong Province, Guangzhou 510300, China; Key Laboratory of South China Sea Fishery Resources Exploitation & Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, China.
Yang Guang
YG
Gu
Department of Environmental Engineering, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; Key Laboratory of Water/Soil Toxic Pollutants Control and Bioremediation, Department of Education of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou 510632, China. Electronic address: liqusheng@21cn.com.
Qu Sheng
QS
Li
Department of Environmental Engineering, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; Meizhou Environmental Protection Bureau, Meizhou 514021, China.
Jian Hong
JH
Fang
Department of Environmental Engineering, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; Key Laboratory of Water/Soil Toxic Pollutants Control and Bioremediation, Department of Education of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou 510632, China.
Bao Yan
BY
He
Department of Environmental Engineering, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; Key Laboratory of Water/Soil Toxic Pollutants Control and Bioremediation, Department of Education of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou 510632, China.
Hong Bo
HB
Fu
Department of Environmental Engineering, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; Key Laboratory of Water/Soil Toxic Pollutants Control and Bioremediation, Department of Education of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou 510632, China.
Ze Jun
ZJ
Tong
D002681:China; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D063366:Estuaries; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis*; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*
D019216:Metals, Heavy; D012989:Soil Pollutants
Heavy metal; Multivariate geostatistics; Pearl River Estuary; Pollution source; Reclaimed farmland soil; Spatial Distribution