Pollution and Ecological Risk Evaluation of Heavy Metals in the Soil and Sediment around the HTM Tailings Pond, Northeastern China.

ABSTRACT: Tailings ponds are a main heavy metal pollution source in mining areas. In this study, the geo-accumulation index (Igeo) and the potential ecological risk index (RI) are used to evaluate the environmental impact of Hongtou Mountain (HTM) tailings pond on the surrounding area. Farmland soil, surface water, and sediment samples in the Hun River around the HTM tailings pond were collected. Heavy metal contents in the samples were analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Results show that Cu, Zn, and Cd content in the farmland soil and sediment around the lower reaches of the Hun River (HTM tailings pond section) are obviously higher than the upper reaches. The Igeo values show that the farmland soil near the outlet of the tailings pond is the most polluted area. Cu w

SUBMITTER: Zhang W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7578946 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature