Pollution Characteristics and Spatial Distribution of Heavy Metals in Coal-Bearing Sandstone Soil: A Case Study of Coal Mine Area in Southwest China.

ABSTRACT: Soil pollution in coal mining areas is a serious environmental problem in China and elsewhere. In this study, surface and vertical profile soil samples were collected from a coal mine area in Dazhu, Southwestern China. Microscopic observation, concentrations, chemical speciation, statistical analysis, spatial distribution, and risk assessment were used to assess heavy metal pollution. The results show that the weathering of coal-bearing sandstone and mining activities substantially contributed to soil pollution. The concentrations of Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mn, Cd, Hg, and Pb exceeded their background values. Cd caused the most intense pollution and was associated with heavily-extremely contaminated soils. The residual fraction was dominant for most metals, except Cd and Mn, for which the reducibl

SUBMITTER: Deng D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9180046 | biostudies-literature | 2022 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature