Heavy Metal Pollution and Ecological Assessment around the Jinsha Coal-Fired Power Plant (China)

Xianfei Huang, Jiwei Hu, Fanxin Qin, Wenxuan Quan, Rensheng Cao, Mingyi Fan and Xianliang Wu
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Xianfei Huang: Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Environment, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550001, China
Jiwei Hu: Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Environment, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550001, China
Fanxin Qin: Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Environment, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550001, China
Wenxuan Quan: Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Environment, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550001, China
Rensheng Cao: Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Environment, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550001, China
Mingyi Fan: Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Environment, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550001, China
Xianliang Wu: Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory for Environment, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550001, China

IJERPH, 2017, vol. 14, issue 12, 1-12

Abstract: Heavy metal pollution is a serious problem worldwide. In this study, 41 soil samples and 32 cabbage samples were collected from the area surrounding the Jinsha coal-fired power plant (JCFP Plant) in Guizhou Province, southwest China. Pb, Cd, Hg, As, Cu and Cr concentrations in soil samples and cabbage samples were analysed to study the pollution sources and risks of heavy metals around the power plant. The results indicate that the JCFP Plant contributes to the Pb, Cd, As, Hg, Cu, and Cr pollution in nearby soils, particularly Hg pollution. Cu and Cr in soils from both croplands and forestlands in the study area derive mainly from crustal materials or natural processes. Pb, Cd and As in soils from croplands arise partly through anthropogenic activities, but these elements in soils from forestlands originate mainly from crustal materials or natural processes. Hg pollution in soils from both croplands and forestlands is caused mainly by fly ash from the JCFP Plant. The cabbages grown in the study area were severely contaminated with heavy metals, and more than 90% of the cabbages had Pb concentrations exceeding the permissible level established by the Ministry of Health and the Standardization Administration of the People’s Republic of China. Additionally, 30% of the cabbages had As concentrations exceeding the permissible level. Because forests can protect soils from heavy metal pollution caused by atmospheric deposition, close attention should be given to the Hg pollution in soils and to the concentrations of Pb, As, Hg and Cr in vegetables from the study area.

Keywords: heavy metals; coal-fired power plant; bio-accumulation; source assessment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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