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Characterization and source analysis of soil pollution in aluminum processing industry based on source inventory.
Yuyang Wu1, Jingxuan Sang1, Hui Jia1
1School of the Environment and Safety Engineering and Institute of Environment and Ecology, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China.
Iscience
|April 22, 2026
Summary
This study identifies petroleum hydrocarbons as key soil pollutants in China's aluminum industry. It developed a traceability system to pinpoint pollution sources, aiding targeted mitigation efforts.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Industrial Ecology
- Geochemistry
Background:
- Limited soil pollution investigations in the aluminum (AI) industry.
- Significant limitations in current soil pollution tracing methods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To profile soil pollution within China's aluminum processing industry.
- To establish a comprehensive traceability system for precise source analysis.
- To identify priority pollutants and contamination zones/pathways.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from ten typical aluminum enterprises in China.
- Applied a soil source inventory approach (SIA) for traceability.
- Validated source analysis through multi-dimensional checks.
Main Results:
- Petroleum hydrocarbons (C10-C40) identified as priority pollutants.
- Key contamination zones: production and waste storage/disposal areas.
- Major pollution pathways: solid waste leaching and wastewater leakage.
Conclusions:
- The developed traceability system accurately models pollutant input.
- Modeled pollutant input showed good correlation with empirical soil contamination data (R² = 0.6).
- Findings are crucial for guiding targeted pollution-mitigation strategies in the aluminum industry.
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