Dissolved Heavy Metal Pollution and Assessment of a Karst Basin around a Mine, Southwest China

Hong-Wei Liao, Zhong-Cheng Jiang (), Hong Zhou (), Xiao-Qun Qin, Qi-Bo Huang, Liang Zhong and Zheng-Gong Pu
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Hong-Wei Liao: Key Laboratory of Geological Survey and Evaluation of Ministry of Education, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
Zhong-Cheng Jiang: Institute of Karst Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Guilin 541004, China
Hong Zhou: Key Laboratory of Geological Survey and Evaluation of Ministry of Education, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
Xiao-Qun Qin: Institute of Karst Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Guilin 541004, China
Qi-Bo Huang: Institute of Karst Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Guilin 541004, China
Liang Zhong: Institute of Karst Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Guilin 541004, China
Zheng-Gong Pu: Institute of Karst Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Guilin 541004, China

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 21, 1-16

Abstract: Karst water quality is one of the most important environmental issues in karst areas. The study’s purpose was to investigate dissolved heavy metal pollution and health risk assessment in karst water basins around mines. River water and groundwater samples were analyzed by principal component analysis, correlation analysis, water quality index, hazard quotient, and hazard index. Median concentrations of dissolved heavy metals in the Sidi River were similar to the world average with a slightly alkaline characteristic. The concentrations of most dissolved heavy metals in river water were higher than those in groundwater. The concentrations of Zn, Pb, and Cd around the mine exceeded the limits of drinking water indicators. The poor water quality samples with high water quality index values were distributed around the mine. Lead (Pb), Zn, As, Cd, and Cr were potentially threatening metals in the study area. The pollution level of dissolved heavy metals in the Sidi River was at a medium level compared with other rivers worldwide. Principal component analysis and correlation analysis showed that Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Mn, Fe, As, and Sr mainly came from mine drainage; Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , and Cr mainly came from the contribution of carbonate rocks; Na + and K + were related to local human agricultural activities. The concentrations of dissolved heavy metals in groundwater were affected by karst aquifers. The results of this study can provide a data reference for water resources prevention and human health protection in the Sidi River’s karst basin and similar karst basins.

Keywords: karst water; dissolve heavy metals; health risk assessment; Pb–Zn mine; southwest China (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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