Spatial Distributions, Sources, Potential Risks of Multi-Trace Metal/Metalloids in Street Dusts from Barbican Downtown Embracing by Xi’an Ancient City Wall (NW, China)

Xiaoping Li, Bin Liu, Yu Zhang, Jiwen Wang, Hameed Ullah, Ming Zhou, Liyuan Peng, Ana He, Xu Zhang, Xiangyang Yan, Tao Yang, Lijun Wang and Hongtao Yu
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Xiaoping Li: Department of Environmental Science, School of Geography and Tourism, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710062, China
Bin Liu: Department of Environmental Science, School of Geography and Tourism, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710062, China
Yu Zhang: Department of Environmental Science, School of Geography and Tourism, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710062, China
Jiwen Wang: Department of Environmental Science, School of Geography and Tourism, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710062, China
Hameed Ullah: Department of Environmental Science, School of Geography and Tourism, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710062, China
Ming Zhou: Department of Environmental Science, School of Geography and Tourism, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710062, China
Liyuan Peng: Department of Environmental Science, School of Geography and Tourism, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710062, China
Ana He: Department of Environmental Science, School of Geography and Tourism, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710062, China
Xu Zhang: Department of Environmental Science, School of Geography and Tourism, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710062, China
Xiangyang Yan: International Joint Research Centre of Shaanxi Province for Pollutant Exposure and Eco-environmental Health, Xi’an 710062, China
Tao Yang: Department of Environmental Science, School of Geography and Tourism, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710062, China
Lijun Wang: Department of Environmental Science, School of Geography and Tourism, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an 710062, China
Hongtao Yu: International Joint Research Centre of Shaanxi Province for Pollutant Exposure and Eco-environmental Health, Xi’an 710062, China

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 16, 1-19

Abstract: A total of 116 dust samples in downtown within the city wall were collected, and the spatial occurrence, source and health risk status of 19 trace metal/metalloids bound in street dusts (SDs) were systematically investigated. Geochemical maps, associations, risk models and indices were calculated to define levels of distribution, possible natural or anthropogenic sources, ecological and human health risks. It was found that the wide variations of these 19 trace metals would be observed in spatial maps, which indicated strongly anthropogenic activities inputs. Compared to the calculations of the potential ecological risk index of toxic trace metals, Pb (E r i = 20.32) ranked at the level of considerable ecological risk. The non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risk from most trace metals exposed to children and adults were no significant health risks, except for the non-carcinogenic risk of Cr and As to children, and the carcinogenic risk of Cr to adults. The unacceptable risk locations were observed at traffic conjunctions, which should be given attention. The source apportionment results indicated that the trace metals/metalloids Co, Ga, Nb, As, Ni, and Y, coupled with main elements Al, K, Mg, Ca and Si, would possibly originate from “Soil Re-suspension”, whereas Fe, Cu, Rb, La, Ba, Mn, Ti, Ce and Zr were possibly derived from “Brake Wear”. As regards the Na, no valid assumption was formulated about the presence of this element in brake wear, while Cr, Sr, Zn were possibly associated with “Tire Wear”. Comparatively, V would be suggested as a representative source of fuel consumption, and Pb could possibly belong to “Traffic Pigment”. It was noted that the barbican city, surrounded by the Xi’an Ancient City Wall at 12 m high, would trap the trace metal emissions, and consequently increase the health risk for local residents.

Keywords: street dust; trace metal/metalloids; health risk; spatial distribution; traffic-related sources; Xi’an (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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