Earth Science Frontiers ›› 2024, Vol. 31 ›› Issue (4): 403-416.DOI: 10.13745/j.esf.sf.2024.4.23

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Study on soil heavy metal environmental capacity in Shantou City based on source analysis

YAN Liping1,*(), XIE Xianming2, TANG Zhenhua1,*()   

  1. 1. Hubei Key Laboratory of Petroleum Geochemistry and Environment, Yangtze University, Wuhan 430100, China
    2. Guangdong Hydrogeology Battalion, Guangzhou 510510, China
  • Received:2024-02-17 Revised:2024-04-17 Online:2024-07-25 Published:2024-07-10

Abstract:

Soil environmental capacity assessments often overlook the influence of heavy metal sources, yet analyzing these sources is essential for understanding regional environmental dynamics and mitigating heavy metal pollution effectively. In Guangdong Province, Shantou stands as a prominent economic hub with significant industrial and urban development, raising concerns about soil heavy metal pollution and the region’s environmental capacity. This study focused on surface soil in Shantou, utilizing 511 soil samples to investigate environmental capacity. Employing GIS technology and geostatistics, we applied the enrichment factor method to evaluate heavy metal enrichment. Principal component analysis and correlation analysis were used to discern heavy metal sources, while the comprehensive index technique was employed to analyze soil heavy metal environmental capacity features and spatial distribution. The surface soil in Shantou exhibited concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn were 4.84 (0.23-119.4), 0.14 (0.013-4.94), 36.05 (2.2-109.1), 19.08 (2.9-453.1), 0.18 (0.008-1.394), 13.29 (3.7-229.6), 51.73 (9.9-1000), and 79.83 (9.2-309.5) mg/kg. Except for moderate enrichment of soil Pb, other heavy metals showed mild enrichment. Principal component analysis revealed five principal component sources: mixed natural background and agricultural activities, mixed agricultural activities and industrial production, industrial production, mining activities, and stone mining sources. Soil heavy metals’ static environmental capacity ranking was As > Zn > Cr > Ni > Pb > Cu > As > Hg > Cd, with a moderate comprehensive environmental capacity level. However, extensive human activities have led to generally low environmental capacities for heavy metals in the towns of Yanhong, Guiyu, and Chendian, posing certain risks. The findings of this study can serve as a scientific reference for early warning and management of soil heavy metal pollution, as well as the remediation and governance of contaminated soil in Shantou City. Additionally, it provides valuable insights for enhancing environmental capacity and soil quality.

Key words: soil heavy metals, environmental capacity, pollution assessment, source analysis, spatial distribution patterns

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