Characteristics of heavy metal pollution in soils of a typical copper smelting site in China

Abstract

During copper smelting, discharge of waste gas, waste water and waste residue has resulted in heavy metals pollution in soils. In a typical copper smelting site in China, arsenic pollution was the most serious, which could be found in soils within 6 m. All the measured heavy metals including Cu, Pb, As, Cd, Zn, Hg, Ni, Cr exceeded background concentrations in the study area. Key contamination areas of the site distributed nearby the uncontrolled emission source and under the leakage area of waste water and waste residue. This study is of great significance to the soil management and control of copper smelting industry.