Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 8, 2026
12:03
Two-Dimensional Visualization and Quantification of Labile, Inorganic Plant Nutrients and Contaminants in Soil
Published on: September 1, 2020
6.9K
Space-time quantitative source apportionment of soil heavy metal concentration increments
Yong Yang1, George Christakos2, Mingwu Guo3
1College of Resources & Environment, Huazhong Agriculture University, Wuhan, China; Key Laboratory of Arable Land Conservation (Middle & Lower Reaches of Yangtse River), Ministry of Agriculture, China.
Environmental Pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987)
|January 30, 2017
Summary
Soil heavy metal pollution, including cadmium, copper, lead, and zinc, significantly increased in Wuhan from 2010-2014. Industrial and agricultural activities were identified as the primary sources of this accumulation.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Geochemistry
- Soil Science
Background:
- Soil heavy metal pollution poses significant environmental and health risks.
- Understanding space-time trends and sources is crucial for effective pollution control.
- Previous studies have highlighted heavy metal accumulation in various regions, necessitating localized assessments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the space-time trends of heavy metal (Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn) accumulation in soils.
- To identify the primary sources contributing to soil heavy metal concentration increments.
- To provide data for the prevention and treatment of soil heavy metal pollution in Qingshan district, Wuhan.
Main Methods:
- Soil sampling and analysis for heavy metal concentrations (Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn) from 2010-2014.
- Application of spatiotemporal Kriging (STK) for estimating heavy metal distribution.
- Spatial overlay analysis (SOA) to determine concentration increments.
- Principal Component Analysis (PCA) combined with Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) for source apportionment.
Main Results:
- Significant accumulation of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn was observed between 2010-2014.
- Cd, Cu, and Zn concentrations increased from southwest to central areas; Pb increased from north to central areas.
- Higher increments in soil heavy metal concentrations were concentrated in the central study region.
- Industrial and agricultural activities were identified as the dominant sources, accounting for 82.5% of the increments.
Conclusions:
- Soil heavy metal concentrations show distinct spatial and temporal accumulation patterns.
- The central part of the study region experienced the largest heavy metal increments.
- Industrial and agricultural activities are the principal drivers of soil heavy metal pollution increments in the area.
