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Distribution, fractions, and potential release of thallium in acidic soils nearby a waste copper mining site from southern China

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Abstract

Although thallium (Tl) is a highly toxic element, little information is available on the environmental risks of Tl in agricultural soils with intensive practices, particularly nearby mining sites. Therefore, we investigated the potential release of Tl in acidic soils with intensive cultivation nearby a waste copper mining site from southern China based on its level and chemical fractions as well as simulated release under artificial acid rain. Results showed that the average Tl content was 1.31 mg/kg in the studied area, which significantly exceeds the permissible thallium value of 1 mg/kg for agricultural soil in China. Some vertical increases of soil Tl from different land uses indicate the potential transport of Tl downward to groundwater. High positive correlations between surficial soil Tl and rubidium (Rb) and copper (Cu) indicated that Tl has the lithophile and chalcophile behavior. Tl in soils is mainly entrapped in residual fraction. The exchangeable fraction of Tl in agricultural soils was less than undisturbed natural soils and copper mined soils. Additionally, the percentage of Tl release from undisturbed natural soils and soils of copper ore area was more than that from agricultural soils in simulated acid rain. Furthermore, the releases of Tl from the soils increased with the acidity of artificial acid rain. Thus, more attention must be paid to land management of this similar area to avoid the risk of Tl impact on human health.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the anonymous reviewers for their helpful comments. This study was jointly supported by the National Key Research and Development Project of China (2016YFD0800706), the National Nature Science Foundation of China (41271484, 41401552), the STS supporting project of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Fujian province (2018T3016), and the Science and Technology Project of Xiamen (2017S0067). Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province of China (2018J01473).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, 361021, China

    Jianhua Guo, Zhuanxi Luo, Dapeng Wang, Feifei Xu & Changzhou Yan

  2. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China

    Jianhua Guo

  3. College of Food and Biological Engineering, Jimei University, Xiamen, 361021, China

    Yinglan Cao & Hongda Fang

  4. Zhongke Tongheng Environmental Consultation Company, Xiamen, 361021, China

    Zhenfang Chen

Authors
  1. Jianhua Guo
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  2. Yinglan Cao
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  3. Zhuanxi Luo
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  4. Hongda Fang
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  5. Zhenfang Chen
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  6. Dapeng Wang
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  7. Feifei Xu
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  8. Changzhou Yan
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Correspondence to Yinglan Cao, Zhuanxi Luo or Changzhou Yan.

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Responsible editor: Philippe Garrigues

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Guo, J., Cao, Y., Luo, Z. et al. Distribution, fractions, and potential release of thallium in acidic soils nearby a waste copper mining site from southern China. Environ Sci Pollut Res 25, 17980–17988 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-1964-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-1964-8

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