Spatial Distribution and Uncertainty Assessment of Potential Ecological Risks of Heavy Metals in Soil Using Sequential Gaussian Simulation |
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| Authors: | Mingkai Qu Weidong Li Chuanrong Zhang |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Resource and Environmental Information , Huazhong Agricultural University , Wuhan , Hubei , China;2. Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Nanjing , Jiangsu , China;3. Department of Geography and Center for Environmental Sciences and Engineering , University of Connecticut , Storrs , CT , USA |
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| Abstract: | The objective of this study is to assess the spatial distribution and uncertainty of the potential ecological risks of heavy metals in soil using sequential Gaussian simulation (SGS) and the Hakanson potential ecological risk index (PERI). We collected 130 soil samples in an area of 150 km2 in the High-Tech Park of Wuhan, China, and measured the concentrations of five heavy metals in soil (i.e., Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn). We then simulated the spatial distribution of each heavy metal using SGS, and calculated Hakanson PERIs for individual metals and multiple metals based on the simulated realizations. The spatial uncertainty of the Cd PERI and its occurrence probabilities in different risk grades were further assessed. Results show that the potential ecological risks of Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn are relatively low in the study area, but Cd indeed reaches a serious level that deserves much attention and essential treatment. The total PERI of multiple heavy metals indicates a moderate grade in most of the study area. In general, combining SGS and the Hakanson PERI appears to be an effective method for evaluating the potential ecological risks of heavy metals in soil and the priority areas for remediation. |
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| Keywords: | heavy metals in soil sequential Gaussian simulation spatial distribution uncertainty ecological risk |
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