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Soil characterization and differential patterns of heavy metal accumulation in woody plants grown in coal gangue wastelands in Shaanxi, China
- Source :
- Environmental science and pollution research international. 23(13)
- Publication Year :
- 2015
-
Abstract
- Soil contamination by heavy metals in coal mine wastelands is a significant environmental issue in most developing countries. The purpose of this study is to evaluate contamination characteristics in the coal mine wastelands of Sanlidong coal mine, Tongchuan, China. To achieve this goal, we conducted field sampling work, followed by further analysis of the properties of soil contamination and accumulation characteristics in woody plants. At this site, the pH value ranged from 4.41 to 7.88, and the nutrient content of the soil rose gradually with the time after deposition due to the weathering effect improving the soil quality. Meanwhile, the levels of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Zn gradually decreased with the passage time. Generally, heavy metal contamination was found to be more serious in the discharge refuse area, with Cd contamination at moderate or heavy levels; Ni, Zn, and Cu contamination at light levels; and with no Cr contamination. The geoaccumulation index (I geo) was highest for Cd (2.38-3.14), followed by Ni, Zn, Cu, and Cr. Heavy metals accumulated on the lower slopes and spread to the surrounding areas via hydrodynamic effects and wind. According to transfer and enrichment coefficient analyses, Robinia pseudoacacia, Ulmus pumila, and Hippophae rhamnoides with considerable biomass could be used as pollution-resistant tree species for vegetation restoration. This study provided a theoretical basis for the restoration of the ecological environment in the mining area. This report described a link between heavy metal contamination of soils and growth dynamics of woody plants in China.
- Subjects :
- China
Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis
0211 other engineering and technologies
Industrial Waste
02 engineering and technology
010501 environmental sciences
01 natural sciences
Mining
Metals, Heavy
Environmental Chemistry
Soil Pollutants
Coal
0105 earth and related environmental sciences
021110 strategic, defence & security studies
business.industry
Environmental engineering
Coal mining
General Medicine
Contamination
Pollution
Soil quality
Soil contamination
Wood
Environmental chemistry
Soil water
Environmental science
business
Woody plant
Environmental Monitoring
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 16147499
- Volume :
- 23
- Issue :
- 13
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Environmental science and pollution research international
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....252f2c39269d01637fe49a7396b1dc1b