1. Levels, sources and influence mechanisms of heavy metal contamination in topsoils in Mirror Peninsula, East Antarctica.
- Author
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Xu, Qibin, Chu, Zhuding, Gao, Yuesong, Mei, Yanjun, Yang, Zhongkang, Huang, Yikang, Yang, Lianjiao, Xie, Zhouqing, and Sun, Liguang
- Subjects
HEAVY metals ,TOPSOIL ,WEATHERING ,PENINSULAS ,MIRRORS ,FOOD chains - Abstract
Heavy metal contaminants in Mirror Peninsula, East Antarctica, have rarely been studied and the source and influencing factors are poorly understood. We sampled a grid of 189 topsoil samples from Mirror Peninsula and analyzed the concentrations of Zn, Cu, U, Cr, Ga, Pb, Hg, Se and As; we also calculated the chemical index of alteration (CIA), a proxy of weathering. The results show that the distributions of Cr, Ga, Cu, and Zn are associated with weathering; the distributions of As and Pb are related to vehicle use and unloading activities at the wharfs, respectively; and the distribution of Hg is likely associated with both anthropogenic impacts and biological activity. The contamination level of these heavy metals in Mirror Peninsula is relatively low and within the controllable range. Both weathering processes and anthropogenic impacts can cause the enrichment of heavy metals; thus reliable source apportionment is crucial in studying heavy metal enrichment and contamination. Image 1093 • Heavy metal contamination levels of topsoils from Mirror Peninsula, East Antarctica, are within the controllable range. • The observed spatial distribution of heavy metal concentrations is related to logistical activities and vehicle use. • Biological activities, including biomagnification along the food chain, are another source. • Enrichment of heavy metal induced by weathering process should be eliminated as natural process. Heavy metal contamination in Mirror Peninsula falls within the controllable range and various factors contributed to the enrichment of heavy metals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2020
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