Abstract

Soil pollution by potentially toxic elements (PTEs) as one of the major environmental hazards is associated with metal exploration and refining acting. In this study, forty-five topsoil samples surrounding a copper smelter factory were taken and analysed using standard routine methods. The total concentration, chemical fractionation and the mobility potential of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn were analysed. Additionally, the spatial distribution of PTEs, the potential ecotoxicological, and human health risks was assessed. The range of total Cu was 1478–4718 mg kg⁻¹, reaching up to 501.5, 21.6, 118.4, 573.5 and 943.3 mg kg⁻¹ for total contents of As, Cd, Cr, Pb and Zn, respectively. The potentially available fractions after sequential extraction reveal all studied PTE were dramatically mobile and available in the studied area (86%, 69.3%, 59.5%, 87.2%, 84% and 68% for As, Cd, Cr, Pb, Zn and Cu, respectively), reflecting that the concentration and accumulation of these elements are profoundly affected or originated by smelting activities and deposition of atmospheric emissions of the Cu smelting factory. The spatial distribution of all PTEs indicated that concentrations of these element near the smelter Cu-factory were elevated. Accordingly, the ecotoxicology status of the studied area suggests that significantly high risks are posed by the measured PTEs. Non-carcinogenic effects of As, Pb and Cu were significantly much higher than the recommended value (HI = 1), suggesting that these three PTEs could adversely impact children's health. For adults, only the HI value of As was greater than one.

Graphic abstract

中文翻译：

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阐明铜冶炼厂周围表土中潜在有毒元素污染：空间分布、分区和风险评估

摘要

作为主要环境危害之一的潜在有毒元素 (PTE) 造成的土壤污染与金属勘探和精炼有关。在这项研究中，采用标准常规方法采集并分析了铜冶炼厂周围的 45 个表土样本。分析了As、Cd、Cr、Cu、Pb和Zn的总浓度、化学分馏和迁移势。此外，还评估了 PTE 的空间分布、潜在的生态毒理学和人类健康风险。总Cu的范围为1478-4718 mg kg ^-1，分别达到501.5、21.6、118.4、573.5和943.3 mg kg ^-1分别为 As、Cd、Cr、Pb 和 Zn 的总含量。连续提取后的潜在可用馏分显示，所有研究的 PTE 在研究区域内都具有显着的流动性和可利用性（As、Cd、Cr、Pb、Zn 和 Cu 分别为 86%、69.3%、59.5%、87.2%、84% 和 68%） , 分别），反映这些元素的浓度和积累受到铜冶炼厂冶炼活动和大气排放物沉积的深刻影响或起源。所有 PTE 的空间分布表明，冶炼厂铜厂附近这些元素的浓度升高。因此，研究区域的生态毒理学状况表明，测量的 PTE 构成了显着的高风险。As、Pb和Cu的非致癌作用显着高于推荐值（HI = 1），表明这三个 PTE 可能会对儿童的健康产生不利影响。对于成年人，只有 As 的 HI 值大于 1。

图形摘要