Environmental Risk Assessment of Metals in the Volcanic Soil of Changbai Mountain

Qing Ma, Lina Han, Jiquan Zhang, Yichen Zhang, Qiuling Lang, Fengxu Li, Aru Han, Yongbin Bao, Kaiwei Li and Si Alu
Additional contact information
Qing Ma: Institute of Natural Disaster Research, Department of Environment, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
Lina Han: Institute of Natural Disaster Research, Department of Environment, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
Jiquan Zhang: Institute of Natural Disaster Research, Department of Environment, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
Yichen Zhang: Jilin Institute of Geological Environment Monitoring, Changchun 130061, China
Qiuling Lang: Changchun Institute of Technology, Changchun 130021, China
Fengxu Li: Institute of Natural Disaster Research, Department of Environment, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
Aru Han: Institute of Natural Disaster Research, Department of Environment, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
Yongbin Bao: Institute of Natural Disaster Research, Department of Environment, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
Kaiwei Li: Institute of Natural Disaster Research, Department of Environment, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
Si Alu: Institute of Natural Disaster Research, Department of Environment, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 11, 1-17

Abstract: Tianchi volcano is a dormant active volcano with a risk of re-eruption. Volcanic soil and volcanic ash samples were collected around the volcano and the concentrations of 21 metals (major and trace elements) were determined. The spatial distribution of the metals was obtained by inverse distance weight (IDW) interpolation. The metals’ sources were identified and their pollution levels were assessed to determine their potential ecological and human health risks. The metal concentrations were higher around Tianchi and at the north to the west of the study area. According to the geo-accumulation index ( I geo ), enrichment factor (EF) and contamination factor (CF) calculations, Zn pollution was high in the study area. Pearson’s correlation analysis and principal component analysis showed that with the exception of Fe, Mn and As, the metals that were investigated (Al, K, Ca, Na, Mg, Ti, Cu, Pb, Zn, Cr, Ni, Ba, Ga, Li, Co, Cd, Sn, Sr) were mostly naturally derived. A small proportion of Li, Pb and Zn may have come from vehicle traffic. There is no potential ecological risk and non-carcinogenic risk because of the low concentrations of the metals; however, it is necessary to pay attention to the carcinogenic risk of Cr and As in children.

Keywords: Tianchi volcano; volcanic soil; metals; ecological risk assessment; human health risk assessment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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