MMs (metals and metalloids) based 238U, 226Ra, 232Th,40 K contamination and health risk assessments in different surface soils near an uranium mine of Southeast China

IF 2.8 3区农林科学 Q3 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

Journal of Soils and Sediments Pub Date : 2024-08-29 DOI:10.1007/s11368-024-03880-0

Yanhe Guan, Zhongkui Zhou, Yadan Guo, Renyu Zeng, Jingying Chen, Zhanxue Sun

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Abstract

Purpose

The radionuclides pollution base on MMs (metals and metalloids) near uranium mines has been drawing broad attention, but the extent of their impact on soil and human health is still unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the distribution and health risk assessments of ²³⁸U, ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰ K base on MMs (Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, and Pb) in different surface soils near an uranium mine.

Materials and methods

Surface soil samples were extracted from 35 representative sites near the Lefu uranium mine. Radionuclides and MMs were measured using high-purity germanium (HPGe) N-type coaxial detector and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer, respectively. Pollution status was evaluated using D_R, Ra_eq, AEDE, H_ext, and ELCR for radionuclides and P_i, I_geo, RI and health risk index for MMs. Their correlation was analyzed through Pearson/Spearman correlation analysis.

Results and discussion

The average activity concentration of ²³⁸U, ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰ K are 504, 1227, 118, and 769 Bq·kg⁻¹ respectively and the average concentration of Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, and Pb are 200, 33.9, 41.3, 132, 18.4, 0.26, and 78.7 mg·kg⁻¹, respectively. Values of D_R, Ra_eq, AEDE, H_ext, and ELCR all exceed the world average to varying degrees and values of P_i, I_geo, RI and the health risk index are within the acceptable ranges. Correlation analyses showed that ²³⁸U, ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and Pb are strongly correlated (correlation coefficient > 0.6) with each other.

Conclusions

On the basis of the obtained values, it can be concluded that generally higher radionuclides and MMs were distributed near the Lefu uranium. There are potential health risks associated with the elevated radioactivity. The overall situation of MMs is controllable, however, particular attention is warranted for Cr and Cd, as they approach values-at-risk. The strong correlations between ²³⁸U, ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and Pb imply a uniform pollution level or a possible shared source.

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中国东南某铀矿附近不同表层土壤中基于 238U、226Ra、232Th、40 K 的 MMs（金属和类金属）污染与健康风险评估

目的铀矿附近基于 MMs（金属和类金属）的放射性核素污染已引起广泛关注，但其对土壤和人类健康的影响程度仍不清楚。因此，本研究旨在调查铀矿附近不同表层土壤中 238U、226Ra、232Th 和 40 K 的分布情况以及基于 MMs（铬、镍、铜、锌、砷、镉和铅）的健康风险评估。分别使用高纯锗（HPGe）N 型同轴探测器和电感耦合等离子体质谱仪测量放射性核素和 MMs。对放射性核素采用 DR、Raeq、AEDE、Hext 和 ELCR 评估污染状况，对 MMs 采用 Pi、Igeo、RI 和健康风险指数评估污染状况。结果和讨论238U、226Ra、232Th 和 40 K 的平均放射性活度浓度分别为 504、1227、118 和 769 Bq-kg-1，Cr、Ni、Cu、Zn、As、Cd 和 Pb 的平均浓度分别为 200、33.9、41.3、132、18.4、0.26 和 78.7 mg-kg-1。DR、Raeq、AEDE、Hext 和 ELCR 的值都不同程度地超过了世界平均值，而 Pi、Igeo、RI 和健康风险指数的值都在可接受的范围内。相关性分析表明，238U、226Ra、232Th 和 Pb 之间具有很强的相关性（相关系数为 0.6）。放射性升高可能会对健康造成危害。放射性微粒的总体情况是可控的，但需要特别注意铬和镉，因为它们已接近风险值。238U、226Ra、232Th 和 Pb 之间的强相关性意味着存在统一的污染水平或可能的共同污染源。

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来源期刊

Journal of Soils and Sediments 环境科学-土壤科学

CiteScore

7.00

自引率

5.60%

发文量

256

审稿时长

3.5 months

期刊介绍： The Journal of Soils and Sediments (JSS) is devoted to soils and sediments; it deals with contaminated, intact and disturbed soils and sediments. JSS explores both the common aspects and the differences between these two environmental compartments. Inter-linkages at the catchment scale and with the Earth’s system (inter-compartment) are an important topic in JSS. The range of research coverage includes the effects of disturbances and contamination; research, strategies and technologies for prediction, prevention, and protection; identification and characterization; treatment, remediation and reuse; risk assessment and management; creation and implementation of quality standards; international regulation and legislation.