Modeling and mapping of critical loads for heavy metals in Kunshan soil

The assessment of critical loads of metals in soil can be used as an important tool for evaluation and for risk precaution of future inputs of metal in order to avoid the occurrence of heavy metal pollution and its long-term risks for people. In this study, critical loads of Cd, Cu, and Pb in farming and non-farming areas of Kunshan were calculated based on three main effects. Two of these effects, limit value of daily metals dose and different environmental water quality criteria are new ways to calculate the critical content of heavy metals. The mean value of critical loads decreased in the order Cu>Pb>Cd when calculated using mass balance effects, child health risk effects, and adult health risk effects. Critical loads were highest in the areas near construction land, areas of low critical load were scattered throughout the city. The areal proportion of critical load exceedance is greatest for Pb based on mass balance effects, followed by Cu based on water quality effects, and Cd based on mass balance effects. Exceedances only occurred in 6% and 3% of farming areas for water quality effects for Cd and Pb when compared critical load values to the input fluxes in the Yangtze River delta. However, for these metals, values were up to 83% and 100%, respectively, based on mass balance effects. Exceedances completely covered non-farming areas for each effect for Pb. Most exceedances occurred in the north and south of the city in non-farming areas. Spatially explicit critical loads of heavy metals based on the different effects can serve as a reference for controlling the emissions of heavy metals effectively and meeting the demands of different management objectives.