Heavy Metals/Metalloids in Soil of a Uranium Tailings Pond in Northwest China: Distribution and Relationship with Soil Physicochemical Properties and Radionuclides

Yu Mao, Jinlong Yong, Qian Liu, Baoshan Wu, Henglei Chen, Youhua Hu and Guangwen Feng
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Yu Mao: Research Center of Radiation Ecology and Ion Beam Biotechnology, College of Physics Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830017, China
Jinlong Yong: Research Center of Radiation Ecology and Ion Beam Biotechnology, College of Physics Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830017, China
Qian Liu: School of Statistics and Data Science, Xinjiang University of Finance & Economics, Urumqi 830012, China
Baoshan Wu: Research Center of Radiation Ecology and Ion Beam Biotechnology, College of Physics Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830017, China
Henglei Chen: Research Center of Radiation Ecology and Ion Beam Biotechnology, College of Physics Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830017, China
Youhua Hu: Radiation Environment Supervision Station of Xinjiang, Urumqi 830000, China
Guangwen Feng: Research Center of Radiation Ecology and Ion Beam Biotechnology, College of Physics Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830017, China

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 9, 1-13

Abstract: Uranium tailings ponds have a potential impact on the soil ecological environment and human health. In this study, the measurement and spatial distribution characteristics of soil physicochemical properties (pH, EC, TN, TOC, and TP) and heavy metals/metalloids (Cd, Pb, Zn, Cr, and As) in two different profiles (0–5 cm, 5–15 cm) were completed and visualized in a decommissioned uranium tailings pond in Northwest China. The results showed that almost all measured values in the study area were within the background values of China and other countries or regions around the world. The visual spatial distribution map showed that the spatial distribution characteristics of the EC, TP content, Pb content, and Cr content of the soil in the tailings pond and its adjacent area increased with the increase in depth of the vertical profile. The visual correlation heatmap analysis found that, in general, there were significant positive correlations among heavy metals and radionuclides and significant negative correlations among heavy metals, radionuclides, and physicochemical properties. The cluster tree divided environmental factors into two clusters; pH, TP, 40 K, Cd, and Zn formed one cluster, which could be related to the similar structures and physicochemical properties of Cd and Zn, and Pb, Cr, 232 Th, TN, EC, TOC, As, 238 U, and 226 Ra formed another cluster of lithophile elements with similar geochemical properties. Based on the analysis results, the uranium tailings pond is in good operation, and no migration and diffusion of heavy metals/metalloids to the surrounding soil ecological environment was found.

Keywords: uranium mining and milling; metal/metalloid; physicochemical properties; spatial distribution; correlation analysis (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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