Multiple Evaluation of Typical Heavy Metals Pollution in Surface Soil and Road Dust from Beijing and Hebei Province, China

Bull Environ Contam Toxicol. 2022 Aug;109(2):317-322. doi: 10.1007/s00128-022-03537-z. Epub 2022 Jun 7.

Abstract

Soil and road dust are important receptors of heavy metals in the environment. Meanwhile, heavy metal could transfer to the atmosphere through resuspension. Due to the serious consequences and atmospheric haze in Jing-Jin-Ji area, it's important to evaluate the pollution level, particle size distribution and sources of heavy metals. For heavy metals in soil samples, similar concentrations to the background values and no obvious pollution or low-level pollution was presented. Higher concentration of Cu (78.9 mg/kg) and Zn (261 mg/kg) were found in road dust. The source appointment results showed that Mn, Co, Cr, Ni, Zn and Pb in soils and Cr, Co and Mn in road dust were mainly from the natural sources, while traffic source contributed to most of Cu, Zn and Pb in road dust. Different particle size distribution patterns were found in soils and road dusts, and the finest particles presented the highest heavy metal concentrations.

Keywords: Heavy metal; Particle size; Pollution evaluation; Road dust; Soil.

MeSH terms

  • China
  • Cities
  • Dust / analysis
  • Environmental Monitoring / methods
  • Lead
  • Metals, Heavy* / analysis
  • Risk Assessment
  • Soil
  • Soil Pollutants* / analysis

Substances

  • Dust
  • Metals, Heavy
  • Soil
  • Soil Pollutants
  • Lead