Spatial distribution of metals in urban topsoils of Xuzhou (China): controlling factors and environmental implications

• Published in: Environmental earth sciences Vol. 49; no. 6; pp. 905 - 914
• Main Authors: Wang, Xue-song, Qin, Yong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin Berlin/Heidelberg : Springer-Verlag 01.03.2006; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Anthropogenic factors; Cation exchange; China; Distribution patterns; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics; Environmental impact; Exact sciences and technology; Geochemistry; Geographic information systems; GIS; Heavy metal; Industrial areas; Industrial pollution; Metal concentrations; Organic matter; Pollution, environment geology; Soil and rock geochemistry; Soil contamination; soil pollution; Soils; Spatial distribution; Statistical analysis; Studies; Surficial geology; Topsoil; Urban topsoils; China; Far East; Jiangsu China; China, People's Rep; urban environment; cation exchange capacity; heavy metals; Urban topsoils; metals; geographic information systems; concentration; urban areas; pollution; human activity; spatial distribution; industrial waste; pollutants; contamination; Heavy metal; GIS; Asia; China; organic materials; pH; statistical analysis; soils; correlation coefficient; Soil contamination
• ISSN: 0943-0105; 1866-6280; 1432-0495; 1866-6299
• DOI: 10.1007/s00254-005-0122-z

The contamination of soils by metals from various sources is a subject of increasing concern in recent times. Twenty-eight elements (Fe, Ti, Cr, Al, Ga, Pb, Sc, Ba, Li, Cd, Be, Co, Cu, Mn, Ni, V, Zn, Mo, Pt, Pd, Au, As, Sb, Se, Hg, Bi, Ag and Sn) have been analyzed from urban topsoil from the city of Xuzhou. The concentrations of these analyzed elements have been correlated to some soil parameters such as organic matter, pH, cation exchange capacity, carbonate content, and granulometric fractions (clay, silt and sand). Results of the statistical analysis show a large variety and complexity in these relationships. The spatial distributions of these metal concentrations were also constructed using geographical information system. The spatial distribution patterns of the elements analyzed show that traffic and industrial activities are the principal anthropogenic pollutant sources.