Earth Science Frontiers ›› 2024, Vol. 31 ›› Issue (2): 93-102.DOI: 10.13745/j.esf.sf.2023.9.9

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A Meta-analysis of the distribution characteristics and ecological risk of heavy metals in mining areas

DONG Xin1(), HU Haoran1, ZHANG Xiaoqing1,2,*(), REN Dajun1,2, ZHANG Shuqin1,2   

  1. 1. School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430081, China
    2. Hubei Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization and Agglomeration of Metallurgical Mineral Resources, Wuhan 430081, China
  • Received:2023-06-20 Revised:2023-09-01 Online:2024-03-25 Published:2024-04-18

Abstract:

In this study, we perform a meta-analysis to investigate the distribution characteristics of heavy metals in soils in mining areas, in different regions and of different mining types in China, using 2002-2022 relevant soil data from CNKI, Wanfang, and Web of Science databases. In addition, geo-accumulation index and potential ecological risk index were used to assess the ecological risk of heavy metals in soils around mining areas. The Meta-analysis findings revealed that the concentrations of Cd, Hg, Cu, Pb, Zn, As, Ni, and Cr in soils around mining areas in China increased by 820.7%, 309.6%, 158.6%, 158.6%, 146.0%, 103.4%, 24.6%, and 15%, respectively, compared to the corresponding background values, among which Cd and Hg showed the greatest increases. Region wise, the central south and southwest of China were greatly impacted by mining and showed increases of 285.7% and 180.1%, respectively. Nationwide, Cd, Hg, Zn, Pb, and Cu increased the most in the southwest, central south, and east; Cd and As in the north and northeast; and Cd and Hg in the northwest. In terms of mined mineral/material types, heavy metal contamination increased greatly around metal mines such as lead-zinc, polymetallic nudule, copper, gold, mercury, molybdenum, manganese, and tin mines, and non-metal mines such as graphite mines, with increases of 166.4% to 617.1%. Lead-zinc mining led to significant accumulation of Cd, Hg, Pb, and Zn, and gold mining resulted in significant accumulation of As, Hg, and Pb. Copper mining and others such as graphite and pyrite mining all showed significant accumulation of Cd and Cu, except Ni and Cr which showed relatively small accumulation regardless mined mineral/material types. Evaluation results using geo-accumulative index and potential ecological risk index showed that the overall levels of Cd and Hg contamination in soils around mining areas were moderate and slight geo-accumulation, respectively, and a high potential ecological risk level was observed in most soil sites. Therefore, it is necessary to pay more attention to Cd and Hg pollution control and prevention in mining areas.

Key words: soil around mining area, heavy metal, Meta-analysis, soil pollution, risk assessment

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