Assessing Heavy Metal Contamination Risk in Soil and Water in the Core Water Source Area of the Middle Route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project, China

Li Tan, Bin Yang, Zhibin Xue and Zhanqi Wang
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Li Tan: School of Public Administration, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
Bin Yang: School of Public Policy & Management, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221008, China
Zhibin Xue: School of Public Administration, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
Zhanqi Wang: School of Public Administration, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China

Land, 2021, vol. 10, issue 9, 1-24

Abstract: The Middle Route Project of China’s South-to-North Water Diversion Project (SNWDP) is a national-level water source protection zone and the ecological safety of its water quality and surrounding soil is of great significance. In this study, heavy metals in the surface water and topsoil in the core water source area were quantitatively analyzed using a geographic information system (GIS) and geostatistical techniques combined with environmental pollution and ecological risk assessment models to determine their environmental contamination levels, ecological risk levels, and spatial distribution patterns. Cd was identified as an essential factor responsible for the overall slight heavy metal pollution in the topsoil layer. Heavy metal contamination in surface water was primarily driven by alert-level concentrations of Hg and was consistently distributed in areas with high concentrations of Hg in the topsoil. Applying the potential ecological risk index (RI) revealed two key results. First, surface water showed no ecological risk. The concentrations of heavy metals in surface water met the goals set by relevant authorities in China. Second, overall, the topsoil was at low ecological risk, with a spatial pattern primarily influenced by Cd and Hg. Some heavy metals might have similar pollution sources and originate from human activities such as industrial activities, mining and smelting, and pesticide and chemical fertilizer applications. The study is important for improving the soil and water ecology in the reservoir area and ensuring the northward diversion of high-quality water. In addition, it provides a sound basis for making decisions about local heavy-metal remediation and treatment projects.

Keywords: ecological risk; heavy metal; pollution source; soil and water; core water source area of the middle route of the south-to-north water diversion project (SWNDP) (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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