Spatial distribution and risk assessment of heavy metal pollution at a typical abandoned smelting site
Rapid development of the smelting industry leads to a widespread problem of heavy metal pollution, particularly for non-ferrous metal smelting activities. Spatial distribution and migration of heavy metals in the soil-water system are significantly influenced by hydro-geological conditions of contam...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Results in Engineering |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590123025013519 |
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| author | Wu Xia Zhang Zhao Zhang Ke-neng Liu Ze-yu He Yong Wang Hui-min |
| author_facet | Wu Xia Zhang Zhao Zhang Ke-neng Liu Ze-yu He Yong Wang Hui-min |
| author_sort | Wu Xia |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Rapid development of the smelting industry leads to a widespread problem of heavy metal pollution, particularly for non-ferrous metal smelting activities. Spatial distribution and migration of heavy metals in the soil-water system are significantly influenced by hydro-geological conditions of contaminated sites, but it lacks detailed studies on this aspect. In this study, a comprehensive investigation was conducted on an abandoned smelting site in Chenzhou city, China, including on-site drilling and laboratory chemical analysis of the contaiminted region. The 3D geological model and spatial distribution map of pollution plumes were separatly established. Results demonstrated that the site soil environment was severely polluted by several primary contaminants, i.e., Arsenic, Lead, Cadmium and Thallium. The distribution of heavy metals exhibited a noticeable 'patchy aggregation' pattern and a significantly spatial heterogeneity. This pattern was dominated by the complex hydro-geological condition and past smelting activities. Vertical distribution map revealed that heavy metal pollutants were primarily concentrated in the low-permeability silty clay layer. In particular, severely polluted areas were mainly distributed at the site edge, which posed highly ecological risk to the surrounding environment. These findings provide valuable information for analyzing the transport characteristics of heavy metal pollutants and establishing a reasonable remediation strategies. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-90ea775cd3f74d658cfddf5563d9d1f0 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2590-1230 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Results in Engineering |
| spelling | doaj-art-90ea775cd3f74d658cfddf5563d9d1f02025-08-20T01:55:37ZengElsevierResults in Engineering2590-12302025-06-012610528110.1016/j.rineng.2025.105281Spatial distribution and risk assessment of heavy metal pollution at a typical abandoned smelting siteWu Xia0Zhang Zhao1Zhang Ke-neng2Liu Ze-yu3He Yong4Wang Hui-min5School of Geosciences and Info-Physics, Central South University, No. 932 South Lushan Road, Changsha, Hunan 410083, China; Powerchina Zhongnan Engineering Corporation Limited, Changsha 410014, ChinaSchool of Geosciences and Info-Physics, Central South University, No. 932 South Lushan Road, Changsha, Hunan 410083, China; Corresponding author.School of Geosciences and Info-Physics, Central South University, No. 932 South Lushan Road, Changsha, Hunan 410083, ChinaPowerchina Zhongnan Engineering Corporation Limited, Changsha 410014, ChinaSchool of Geosciences and Info-Physics, Central South University, No. 932 South Lushan Road, Changsha, Hunan 410083, ChinaInstitute of Ecological Geological Survey and Monitoring, Changsha 410119, ChinaRapid development of the smelting industry leads to a widespread problem of heavy metal pollution, particularly for non-ferrous metal smelting activities. Spatial distribution and migration of heavy metals in the soil-water system are significantly influenced by hydro-geological conditions of contaminated sites, but it lacks detailed studies on this aspect. In this study, a comprehensive investigation was conducted on an abandoned smelting site in Chenzhou city, China, including on-site drilling and laboratory chemical analysis of the contaiminted region. The 3D geological model and spatial distribution map of pollution plumes were separatly established. Results demonstrated that the site soil environment was severely polluted by several primary contaminants, i.e., Arsenic, Lead, Cadmium and Thallium. The distribution of heavy metals exhibited a noticeable 'patchy aggregation' pattern and a significantly spatial heterogeneity. This pattern was dominated by the complex hydro-geological condition and past smelting activities. Vertical distribution map revealed that heavy metal pollutants were primarily concentrated in the low-permeability silty clay layer. In particular, severely polluted areas were mainly distributed at the site edge, which posed highly ecological risk to the surrounding environment. These findings provide valuable information for analyzing the transport characteristics of heavy metal pollutants and establishing a reasonable remediation strategies.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590123025013519Heavy metalSmelting activitySpatial distributionHydro-geological conditionEcological risk |
| spellingShingle | Wu Xia Zhang Zhao Zhang Ke-neng Liu Ze-yu He Yong Wang Hui-min Spatial distribution and risk assessment of heavy metal pollution at a typical abandoned smelting site Results in Engineering Heavy metal Smelting activity Spatial distribution Hydro-geological condition Ecological risk |
| title | Spatial distribution and risk assessment of heavy metal pollution at a typical abandoned smelting site |
| title_full | Spatial distribution and risk assessment of heavy metal pollution at a typical abandoned smelting site |
| title_fullStr | Spatial distribution and risk assessment of heavy metal pollution at a typical abandoned smelting site |
| title_full_unstemmed | Spatial distribution and risk assessment of heavy metal pollution at a typical abandoned smelting site |
| title_short | Spatial distribution and risk assessment of heavy metal pollution at a typical abandoned smelting site |
| title_sort | spatial distribution and risk assessment of heavy metal pollution at a typical abandoned smelting site |
| topic | Heavy metal Smelting activity Spatial distribution Hydro-geological condition Ecological risk |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590123025013519 |
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