Heavy Metal Pollution and Its Prior Pollution Source Identification in Agricultural Soil: A Case Study in the Qianguo Irrigation District, Northeast China

Weiwei Wang, Nan Lu, He Pan, Zirui Wang, Xu Han, Zhichao Zhu and Jiunian Guan
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Weiwei Wang: School of Environment, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130117, China
Nan Lu: School of Environment, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130117, China
He Pan: School of Resources and Environment, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
Zirui Wang: School of Environment, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130117, China
Xu Han: School of Environment, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130117, China
Zhichao Zhu: School of Environment, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130117, China
Jiunian Guan: School of Environment, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130117, China

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 8, 1-16

Abstract: Heavy metals are the primary pollutants in agricultural soil and have hindered the sustainable development of agriculture. To control heavy metal pollution, it is essential to identify the pollution sources, particularly the prior source, in agricultural soils. In the current study, Qianguo Irrigation District, a typical agricultural region in Northeast China, was selected to be investigated for the source apportionment of soil heavy metals and identify the prior pollution source. The results showed that the study area was at a moderate pollution level with considerable ecological risk, while Hg and Cd were the main pollutants. Human-health risk assessment indicated that the non-carcinogenic risk for all populations was acceptable (HI < 1), and the carcinogenic risk was not negligible (10 −6 < TCR < 10 −4 ). The main pollution sources were concluded to be of lithogenic origin (35.5%), livestock manure (25.4%), coal combustion (21.5%), and chemical fertilizers (17.7%). Coal combustion was identified as the prior pollution source, accounting for 47.69% of the RI contribution. This study can provide scientific support for environmental management and pollution control of soil heavy metals in agricultural regions.

Keywords: heavy metal; agricultural soil; ecological risk; human-health risk; integrated PMF model; prior pollution source (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (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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