Mapping of Cu and Pb Contaminations in Soil Using Combined Geochemistry, Topography, and Remote Sensing: A Case Study in the Le’an River Floodplain, China

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Yiyun Chen¹  Yaolin Liu¹  Yanfang Liu¹  Aiwen Lin¹  Xuesong Kong¹  Dianfeng Liu¹  Xiran Li¹  Yang Zhang¹  Yin Gao¹ 

[1] School of Resource and Environmental Science, Wuhan University, Luoyu Road 129, Wuhan 430079, China;

关键词: soil;    heavy metal;    contamination;    digital elevation model;    mapping;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijerph9051874

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Heavy metal pollution in soil is becoming a widely concerning environmental problem in China. The aim of this study is to integrate multiple sources of data, namely total Cu and Pb contents, digital elevation model (DEM) data, remote sensing image and interpreted land-use data, for mapping the spatial distribution of total Cu and Pb contamination in top soil along the Le’an River and its branches. Combined with geographical analyses and watershed delineation, the source and transportation route of pollutants are identified. Regions at high risk of Cu or Pb pollution are suggested. Results reveal that topography is the major factor that controls the spatial distribution of Cu and Pb. Watershed delineation shows evidence that the streamflow resulting from rainfall is the major carrier of metal pollutants.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2012 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.