Distribution Pattern and Enrichment Mechanism of Selenium in Topsoil in Handan Se-Enriched Belt, North China

Huidi Hao, Minmin Zhang, Jinxi Wang, Shuting Jiang, Juanjuan Ma, Yafan Hu, Hongya Niu, Balaji Panchal and Yuzhuang Sun
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Huidi Hao: Key Laboratory of Resource Exploration Research of Hebei Province, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan 056038, China
Minmin Zhang: Key Laboratory of Resource Exploration Research of Hebei Province, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan 056038, China
Jinxi Wang: Key Laboratory of Resource Exploration Research of Hebei Province, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan 056038, China
Shuting Jiang: Key Laboratory of Resource Exploration Research of Hebei Province, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan 056038, China
Juanjuan Ma: Key Laboratory of Resource Exploration Research of Hebei Province, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan 056038, China
Yafan Hu: Key Laboratory of Resource Exploration Research of Hebei Province, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan 056038, China
Hongya Niu: Key Laboratory of Resource Exploration Research of Hebei Province, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan 056038, China
Balaji Panchal: Key Laboratory of Resource Exploration Research of Hebei Province, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan 056038, China
Yuzhuang Sun: Key Laboratory of Resource Exploration Research of Hebei Province, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan 056038, China

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 6, 1-21

Abstract: Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element for human health with crucial biological functions. In this study, Se concentrations and physicochemical properties of soils in central and western Handan were determined to investigate their spatial distribution, enrichment degree, influencing factor, and geological source. The results show that: (1) Se concentrations vary from 0.00 to 1.95 μg/g, with an average of 0.45 μg/g, which exceed the mean of Se in soils in China (0.29 μg/g) and Hebei Plain (0.21 μg/g). (2) A continuous and irregular ring-like area showing significant enrichment of Se could be identified in Handan city, Yongnian District, Wu’an City, and Fengfeng Mining District. It can be defined as a positive abnormal Se zone, which is mainly located in the hilly area in the west of Handan City and east of Taihang Mountains, and the plains near Handan City. (3) Comprehensively, Se enrichment in the soil is principally affected by rock weathering, mining activities, and coal combustion. (4) As far as the single-factor pollution index (SFPI) is concerned, most of the study areas are in the safety domain and slightly polluted domain and are at low ecological risk. According to the Nemerow integrated pollution index (NIPI), the moderately and seriously polluted domain are distributed in Handan City, Fengfeng Mining District, and other central areas.

Keywords: geochemistry; selenium; spatial distribution; influencing factors; Handan; North China (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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