Characterization and evaluation of heavy metal pollution in soil-wheat system around coal mines in Pingdingshan, China

Abstract

Indoor experiments were conducted to fully understand soil metal contamination around coal mines in Pingdingshan, Henan province, China. Forty-three paired soil and wheat product samples were collected from three main mining areas in Pingdingshan. Soil Cd, Zn and Pb were assessed using the diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) and pentetic acid or diethylene triamine penlaacetic acid (DTPA). The pollution levels were evaluated. The Nemero comprehensive pollution index shows the soil heavy metal pollution is slight; the single coefficient of potential ecological hazard indicates the soil pollution degree of heavy metals ranks as Cd > Pb > Zn, which is the most serious pollution. Cd is close to medium ecological hazard, and other heavy metals are minor ecological hazards.