Scholarlink

Purpose <p>This study investigates the distribution, sources, and ecological risks of heavy metal pollution in the surface soil of northwest China’s Gobi region and examines the influence of wind on the diffusion of heavy metal dust.</p> Materials and methods <p>253 Surface soil samples from the Gobi were analyzed for ten heavy metals including Cr, Mn, Co, N, and Cu using a sequential wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer. Pollution indices such as the geoaccumulation index (<i>I</i><sub><i>geo</i></sub>) were applied to assess the pollution levels and ecological risks. The Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) and HYSPLIT models were utilized to identify the sources and trace the environmental dispersion of the heavy metals.</p> Results and discussion <p>HMs concentrations in Lop Nur, other uninhabited areas, and the upper reaches of the river basin were lower than the average levels observed in the study area. Cr had the highest cumulative value, followed by Zn and Ni. Heavy metal pollution was primarily concentrated in urban areas, mining zones, and near traffic sources. In areas with dominant wind patterns, the concentration of particulate matter exhibited significant change, with elements such as Mn and Cr were enriched in high-altitude areas subject to strong wind erosion. The accumulation risk of particulate matter in the lower reaches of the Heihe River was significantly higher.</p> Conclusions <p>The overall degree of HMs pollution and ecological risk in the Gobi of northwest China is low. However, significant local enrichment of Cr, Zn, and Ni occurs under human influence, with atmospheric movements facilitating the downwind diffusion of HMs, resulting in greater accumulation in downwind low-lying areas.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Characteristics, sources, diffusion, and risk assessment of heavy metals pollution in topsoil of typical gobi in the Hexi Corridor, Northwestern China

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年2月20日

查看全文
  • Liu Ting,
  • Jia Xiaopeng,
  • Zhang Yan,
  • Liao Xiaohong,
  • Pan Kaijia,
  • Zhang Zhengcai

摘要

Purpose

This study investigates the distribution, sources, and ecological risks of heavy metal pollution in the surface soil of northwest China’s Gobi region and examines the influence of wind on the diffusion of heavy metal dust.

Materials and methods

253 Surface soil samples from the Gobi were analyzed for ten heavy metals including Cr, Mn, Co, N, and Cu using a sequential wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer. Pollution indices such as the geoaccumulation index (Igeo) were applied to assess the pollution levels and ecological risks. The Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) and HYSPLIT models were utilized to identify the sources and trace the environmental dispersion of the heavy metals.

Results and discussion

HMs concentrations in Lop Nur, other uninhabited areas, and the upper reaches of the river basin were lower than the average levels observed in the study area. Cr had the highest cumulative value, followed by Zn and Ni. Heavy metal pollution was primarily concentrated in urban areas, mining zones, and near traffic sources. In areas with dominant wind patterns, the concentration of particulate matter exhibited significant change, with elements such as Mn and Cr were enriched in high-altitude areas subject to strong wind erosion. The accumulation risk of particulate matter in the lower reaches of the Heihe River was significantly higher.

Conclusions

The overall degree of HMs pollution and ecological risk in the Gobi of northwest China is low. However, significant local enrichment of Cr, Zn, and Ni occurs under human influence, with atmospheric movements facilitating the downwind diffusion of HMs, resulting in greater accumulation in downwind low-lying areas.