Heavy Metals Pollution in Soil Around the Lead-zinc Smelting Plant in guanzhong Plain

Abstract

[Objective] T To analyze and determine the content of eight heavy metals Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Hg, Zn, As, and Ni in 40 soil samples collected around a lead-zinc smelting plant in Guanzhong through experimental analysis, and to preliminarily grasp the content of heavy metals in the soil around the smelting plant, and to conduct pollution research and evaluation.. [Method] In mid to late April 2020, 40 soil samples (with a sampling depth of 0-30 cm) were collected from the vicinity of a lead zinc smelter in Guanzhong. The heavy metal content was determined through transcoding, natural air drying, and grinding processes.. [Results] The average contents of Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Hg, Zn, As, and Ni in the soil around a lead zinc smelter in Guanzhong were 0.40, 85, 26.0, 48, 0.078, 108, 12.5, and 26 mg. kg-1, respectively. Except for Ni, the average contents of Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Hg, Zn, and As were higher than the background values of soil elements in China and Shaanxi Province, especially Cd, Hg, and Pb, The content is 4.26, 2.60, and 2.28 times the background values of soil elements in Shaanxi Province, and 4.12, 1.2, and 1.85 times the background values of soil elements in China. By calculating the standard deviation and coefficient of variation, it was found that the standard deviation and coefficient of variation of Cd, Pb, and Zn in the soil around the smelter were relatively large, indicating that these three heavy metal elements accumulated significantly in the soil.. [Conclusion] The soil around a lead-zinc smelter in Guanzhong is mainly contaminated by multiple heavy metal complexes, mainly Cd pollution. The atmospheric sedimentation around the smelter and dust from mining sites may be the main sources of pollution..

Keywords

• lead-zinc smelting plant area
• soil
• heavy metals
• pollution assessment