title: Distribution of heavy metals and metalloids in bulk and particle size fractions of soils from coal-mine brownfield and implications on human health.
abstract: Heavy metals (HMs) and metalloids migrate into their surroundings, thus increasing environmental risks and threatening human health. Current studies on coal-mine brownfields, however, have not thoroughly investigated soil-associated HMs and metalloids produced by coal mining. Therefore, this study explored the spatial and particle fraction distribution and human health implications of HMs and metalloids. The soil-associated HMs and metalloids are Arsenic (As), Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Copper (Cu), Mercury (Hg), Manganese (Mn), Nickel (Ni), Lead (Pb), Scandium (Sc), Titanium (Ti) and Zinc (Zn). Results showed that Cd, Cu, Pb, and Ni were enriched in bulk soils. Cadmium, Cu and Pb from anthropogenic source were mainly found at entrance roadsides and in sites closest to coal mines. HMs and metalloids primarily accumulated in fine fractions (<1, 1-5, and 5-10 μm). Moreover, HM and metalloid loadings substantially accumulated in the 75-250 μm and 250-1000 μm fractions. Most fine soil fractions showed moderate to strong potential ecological risks, whereas all the coarse particle fractions (50-75, 75-250, and 250-1000 μm) presented slight potential ecological risk. Exposure to soil-associated HMs and metalloids mainly occurred via ingestion. The total non-carcinogenic risks to children and adults fell below the safe level of 1, whereas the total carcinogenic risks to these individuals were higher than that of the maximum acceptable level set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA, 1 × 10-4). The total carcinogenic risk was mainly contributed by Cd and Ni through ingestion and dermal access. Therefore, hygiene and food security in areas should be emphasized.
authors.affiliation: Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollution, School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China.
authors.forename: Hongxia
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollution, School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China. Electronic address: ji.hongbing@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Hongbing
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ji
authors.affiliation: Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollution, School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China.
authors.forename: Chunjing
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.affiliation: Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollution, School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China.
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.affiliation: Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollution, School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China.
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollution, School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China.
authors.forename: Xiangyu
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollution, School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China.
authors.forename: Huaijian
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ding
authors.affiliation: Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollution, School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China; Beijing Geo-engineering Design and Research Institute, Beijing, 101500, China.
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.affiliation: Beijing Geo-engineering Design and Research Institute, Beijing, 101500, China.
authors.forename: Yuxin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xing
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001151:Arsenic / Q000032:analysis; D002104:Cadmium / Q000032:analysis; D002648:Child; D002681:China; D003031:Coal; D003032:Coal Mining; D003300:Copper / Q000032:analysis; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D004463:Ecology; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D005843:Geography; D006801:Humans; D008628:Mercury / Q000032:analysis; D058955:Metalloids; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis*; D010316:Particle Size; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012987:Soil; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D015032:Zinc / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D003031:Coal; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D058955:Metalloids; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D012987:Soil; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D002104:Cadmium; D003300:Copper; D008628:Mercury; D015032:Zinc; D001151:Arsenic
keywords: Brownfield; Coal mine; Heavy metals; Human health; Particle size; Soils