Characterization of soil heavy metals at an abandoned smelting site based on particle size fraction and its implications for remediation strategy

Abstract

Soil particle size plays a crucial role in the distribution and occurrence of soil heavy metals (HMs). Comparative studies on the distribution of HMs across soil particle sizes of various areas affected by smelting are scarce. Three soil profiles, including smelting slag heap (SH), traffic area (TA), and adjacent farmland (FA), were sampled at an abandoned Pb smelting site, and the geochemical distribution and occurrence of HMs in different soil particle fractions (>150 µm, 45 −150 µm, and <45 µm) were comparatively investigated. Results showed different distribution of HMs across soil fractions between the smelting site and farmland. Average accumulation factors (F _A) of HMs increased from 0.78 to 1.14 as the particle size increased in the SH related to the stockpiling and mechanical mixing of coarse slags, while decreased from 1.49 to 0.60 in the FA related to metal-enriched fine particles released from smelting. The coarser fraction had a higher mass loading of HMs (>50%) in the smelting site soils, where the contribution of waste residues was significant. Therefore, physical separation techniques are recommended in the remediation of soil contamination. The study connected smelting impacts and occurrence of HMs across particle sizes which has implications for remediation strategy.

Keywords

abandoned Pb smelting site / soil / heavy metal / particle size fraction / geochemical occurrence / waste slag / physical separation technique

References

[[1]] Khan S, Naushad M, Lima E C, et al.. Global soil pollution by toxic elements: Current status and future perspectives on the risk assessment and remediation strategies −A review [J]. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2021, 417: 126039,

[[2]] Hou D, Al-Tabbaa A, O’Connor D, et al.. Sustainable remediation and redevelopment of brownfield sites [J]. Nature Reviews Earth & Environment, 2023, 4(4): 271-286,

[[3]] Ettler V, Mihaljevič M, KŘíbek B, et al.. Tracing the spatial distribution and mobility of metal/metalloid contaminants in Oxisols in the vicinity of the Nkana copper smelter, Copperbelt province, Zambia [J]. Geoderma, 2011, 164(1–2): 73-84,

[[4]] Xu D, Fu R, Liu H, et al.. Current knowledge from heavy metal pollution in Chinese smelter contaminated soils, health risk implications and associated remediation progress in recent decades: A critical review [J]. Journal of Cleaner Production, 2021, 286: 124989,

[[5]] ZENG Jia-qing, KE Wen-shun, DENG Min, et al. A practical method for identifying key factors in the distribution and formation of heavy metal pollution at a smelting site [J]. Journal of Environmental Sciences, 127: 552–563. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jes.2022.06.026.

[[6]] Yuan Y, Xiang M, Liu C, et al.. Geochemical characteristics of heavy metal contamination induced by a sudden wastewater discharge from a smelter [J]. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 2017, 176: 33-41,

[[7]] Chopin E I B, Alloway B J. Trace element partitioning and soil particle characterisation around mining and smelting areas at Tharsis, Riotinto and Huelva, SW Spain [J]. Science of the Total Environment, 2007, 373(2–3): 488-500,

[[8]] Jiang Z, Guo Z, Peng C, et al.. Heavy metals in soils around non-ferrous smelteries in China: Status, health risks and control measures [J]. Environmental Pollution, 2021, 282: 117038,

[[9]] Zeng J, Gao W, Li X, et al.. Research progress on characteristics and remediation of heavy metal pollution in non-ferrous smelting sites [J]. The Chinese Journal of Nonferrous Metals, 2023, 33(10): 3440-3461 (in Chinese)

[[10]] He J, Peng Z, Zeng J, et al.. Source apportionment and quantitative risk assessment of heavy metals at an abandoned zinc smelting site based on GIS and PMF models [J]. Journal of Environmental Management, 2023, 336: 117565

[[11]] Ke W, Zeng J, Zhu F, et al.. Geochemical partitioning and spatial distribution of heavy metals in soils contaminated by lead smelting [J]. Environmental Pollution, 2022, 307: 119486,

[[12]] Li C, Li M, Zeng J, et al.. Migration and distribution characteristics of soil heavy metal(loid)s at a lead smelting site [J]. Journal of Environmental Sciences, 2024, 135: 600-609,

[[13]] Zeng J, Luo X, Cheng Y, et al.. Spatial distribution of toxic metal(loid)s at an abandoned zinc smelting site, Southern China [J]. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2022, 425: 127970,

[[14]] Luo X, Wu C, Lin Y, et al.. Soil heavy metal pollution from Pb/Zn smelting regions in China and the remediation potential of biomineralization [J]. Journal of Environmental Sciences, 2023, 125: 662-677,

[[15]] Ettler V. Soil contamination near non-ferrous metal smelters: A review [J]. Applied Geochemistry, 2016, 64: 56-74,

[[16]] Bari A S M F, Lamb D, Choppala G, et al.. Geochemical fractionation and mineralogy of metal(loid)s in abandoned mine soils: Insights into arsenic behaviour and implications to remediation [J]. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2020, 399: 123029,

[[17]] Li Y, Padoan E, Ajmone-Marsan F. Soil particle size fraction and potentially toxic elements bioaccessibility: A review [J]. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 2021, 209: 111806,

[[18]] Landrot G, Khaokaew S. Lead speciation and association with organic matter in various particle-size fractions of contaminated soils [J]. Environmental Science & Technology, 2018, 52(12): 6780-6788,

[[19]] Dermont G, Bergeron M, Mercier G, et al.. Soil washing for metal removal: A review of physical/chemical technologies and field applications [J]. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2008, 152(1): 1-31,

[[20]] Zhao J, Luo Q, Ding L, et al.. Valency distributions and geochemical fractions of arsenic and antimony in non-ferrous smelting soils with varying particle sizes [J]. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 2022, 233: 113312,

[[21]] Li X, Yan X, Wu T, et al.. Risks and phyto-uptake of micro-nano size particulates bound with potentially toxic metals in Pb-contaminated alkaline soil (NW China): The role of particle size fractions [J]. Chemosphere, 2021, 272: 129508,

[[22]] Gong C, Ma L, Cheng H, et al.. Characterization of the particle size fraction associated heavy metals in tropical arable soils from Hainan Island, China [J]. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 2014, 139: 109-114,

[[23]] Park H J, Park H J, Yang H I, et al.. Sorption of Pb in chemical and particle-size fractions of soils with different physico-chemical properties [J]. Journal of Soils and Sediments, 2019, 19(1): 310-321,

[[24]] Parra S, Bravo M A, Quiroz W, et al.. Distribution of trace elements in particle size fractions for contaminated soils by a copper smelting from different zones of the Puchuncavi Valley (Chile) [J]. Chemosphere, 2014, 111: 513-521,

[[25]] Luo X, Yu S, Li X-dong. Distribution, availability, and sources of trace metals in different particle size fractions of urban soils in Hong Kong: Implications for assessing the risk to human health [J]. Environmental Pollution, 2011, 159(5): 1317-1326,

[[26]] Zou Q, Wei H, Chen Z, et al.. Soil particle size fractions affect arsenic (As) release and speciation: Insights into dissolved organic matter and functional genes [J]. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2023, 443: 130100,

[[27]] Liu G, Wang J, Liu X, et al.. Partitioning and geochemical fractions of heavy metals from geogenic and anthropogenic sources in various soil particle size fractions [J]. Geoderma, 2018, 312: 104-113,

[[28]] Li Q, Du H, Chen W, et al.. Aging shapes the distribution of copper in soil aggregate size fractions [J]. Environmental Pollution, 2018, 233: 569-576,

[[29]] Csavina J, Taylor M P, Felix O, et al.. Size-resolved dust and aerosol contaminants associated with copper and lead smelting emissions: Implications for emission management and human health [J]. Science of the Total Environment, 2014, 493: 750-756,

[[30]] Acosta J A, Cano A F, Arocena J M, et al.. Distribution of metals in soil particle size fractions and its implication to risk assessment of playgrounds in Murcia City (Spain) [J]. Geoderma, 2009, 149(1–2): 101-109,

[[31]] Xing W, Yang H, Ippolito J A, et al.. Atmospheric deposition of arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead, and zinc near an operating and an abandoned lead smelter [J]. Journal of Environmental Quality, 2020, 49(6): 1667-1678,

[[32]] Zhao P, Xiao P, Adnan M, et al.. Formation and risk assessment of heavy metal contamination in soil profiles of an abandoned lead smelting site in south-central China [J]. Bulletin of Mineralogy, Petrology and Geochemistry, 2023, 42(2): 360-368 (in Chinese)

[[33]] Tessier A, Campbell P G C, Bisson M. Sequential extraction procedure for the speciation of particulate trace metals [J]. Analytical Chemistry, 1979, 51(7): 844-851,

[[34]] Sutherland R A. Lead in grain size fractions of road-deposited sediment [J]. Environmental Pollution, 2003, 121(2): 229-237,

[[35]] He K, Sun Z, Hu Y, et al.. Comparison of soil heavy metal pollution caused by e-waste recycling activities and traditional industrial operations [J]. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 2017, 24(10): 9387-9398,

[[36]] Xiao Q, Zong Y, Lu S-gao. Assessment of heavy metal pollution and human health risk in urban soils of steel industrial city (Anshan), Liaoning, Northeast China [J]. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 2015, 120: 377-385,

[[37]] Fang H, Gui H, Yu H, et al.. Characteristics and source identification of heavy metals in abandoned coal-mining soil: A case study of Zhuxianzhuang coal mine in Huaibei coalfield (Anhui, China) [J]. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 2020, 27(3): 708-723,

[[38]] Li H, Yuan Y, Huang Q, et al.. Effects of long-term fertilization on labile organic carbon in soil aggregates in red paddy soil [J]. Acta Pedologica Sinica, 2008, 45(2): 259-566 (in Chinese)

[[39]] Li H, Ji H, Shi C, et al.. Distribution of heavy metals and metalloids in bulk and particle size fractions of soils from coal-mine brownfield and implications on human health [J]. Chemosphere, 2017, 172: 505-515,

[[40]] Sobanska S, Ledesert B, Deneele D, et al.. Alteration in soils of slag particles resulting from lead smelting [J]. Surface Geosciences, 2000, 331(4): 271-278

[[41]] Lanteigne S, Schindler M, McDonald A M, et al.. Mineralogy and weathering of smelter-derived spherical particles in soils: Implications for the mobility of Ni and Cu in the surficial environment [J]. Water Air and Soil Pollution, 2012, 223(7): 3619-3641,

[[42]] Ettler V, Johan Z, Kribek B, et al.. Composition and fate of mine- and smelter-derived particles in soils of humid subtropical and hot semi-arid areas [J]. Science of the Total Environment, 2016, 563: 329-339,

[[43]] Zeng J, Tabelin C B, Gao W, et al.. Heterogeneous distributions of heavy metals in the soil-groundwater system empowers the knowledge of the pollution migration at a smelting site [J]. Chemical Engineering Journal, 2023, 454: 140307,

[[44]] Cheng K, Wang Y, Tian H, et al.. Atmospheric emission characteristics and control policies of five precedent-controlled toxic heavy metals from anthropogenic sources in China [J]. Environmental Science & Technology, 2015, 49(2): 1206-1214,

[[45]] Kumpiene J, Lagerkvist A, Maurice C. Stabilization of Pb- and Cu-contaminated soil using coal fly ash and peat [J]. Environmental Pollution, 2007, 145(1): 365-373,

[[46]] Kelley J A, Jaffe D A, Baklanov A, et al.. Heavy metals on the Kola Peninsula: Aerosol size distribution [J]. Science of the Total Environment, 1995, 160–161: 135-138,

[[47]] Nriagu J O, Pacyna J M. Quantitative assessment of worldwide contamination of air, water, and soils by trace elements [J]. Nature, 1988, 333: 134-139,

[[48]] Baig J A, Kazi T G, Arain M B, et al.. Arsenic fractionation in sediments of different origins using BCR sequential and single extraction methods [J]. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2009, 167(1–3): 745-751,

[[49]] Tan W, Liang Y, Xu Y, et al.. Structural-controlled formation of nano-particle hematite and their removal performance for heavy metal ions: A review [J]. Chemosphere, 2022, 306: 135540,

[[50]] Yang Q, Yang Z, Ji J, et al.. Characteristics of mineralogy and heavy metal geochemistry in ferromanganese nodule rich soils with high geochemical background from Guigang, Guangxi [J]. Geoscience, 2021, 35(5): 1450-1458 (in Chinese)

[[51]] Zha F, Chen S, Kang B, et al.. Synergistic solidification of lead-contaminated soil by magnesium oxide and microorganisms [J]. Chemosphere, 2022, 308: 136422,

[[52]] Wang J, Yang P-ling. Potential flue gas desulfurization gypsum utilization in agriculture: A comprehensive review [J]. Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2018, 82: 1969-1978,

[[53]] Wang Y, He Z, Tang J, et al.. Long-term environmental stability and heavy metals release mechanism of desulfurized gypsum sludge from copper smelter [J]. Journal of Central South University (Science and Technology), 2023, 54(2): 562-576 (in Chinese)

[[54]] Zhu X, Yang J, Yang Y, et al.. Pyrometallurgical process and multipollutant co-conversion for secondary aluminum dross: A review [J]. Journal of Materials Research and Technology, 2022, 21: 1196-1211,

[[55]] Chi Y, Shi Y, Yang C, et al.. Migration and environmental risk of heavy metals during mullite preparation by high alumina fly ash based on material flow analysis [J]. Acta Scientiae Circumstantiae, 2023, 43(4): 427-438 (in Chinese)

[[56]] Li D, Xu Y, Zhang X, et al.. Water quality, natural chemical weathering and ecological risk assessment of the contaminated area of vanadium ore in Yinhua River, China: Evidence from major ions and trace elements [J]. Acta Geochimica, 2021, 41(1): 84-99,

[[57]] Wang L, Ji B, Hu Y, et al.. A review on in situ phytoremediation of mine tailings [J]. Chemosphere, 2017, 184: 594-600,

[[58]] Minasny B, McBratney A B. The Australian soil texture boomerang: a comparison of the Australian and USDA/FAO soil particle-size classification systems [J]. Australian Journal of Soil Research, 2001, 39(6): 1443-1451,

[[59]] Fu Y, Li Z, Zhou A, et al.. Evaluation of coal component liberation upon impact breakage by MLA [J]. Fuel, 2019, 258: 116136,