Soil pollution with heavy metals in the vicinity of coal-fired power plants in Taean and Seocheon, Chungnam Province, South Korea.

Autor: Han HJ; Mineral Resources Division, Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources, Daejeon, 34132, Republic of Korea., Song CW; Department of Energy and Resources Engineering, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186, Republic of Korea., Yoon D; Department of Energy and Resources Engineering, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186, Republic of Korea. duyoon@jnu.ac.kr., Lee JU; Department of Energy and Resources Engineering, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186, Republic of Korea. jongun@jnu.ac.kr.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: Environmental geochemistry and health [Environ Geochem Health] 2024 Dec 09; Vol. 47 (1), pp. 10. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Dec 09.
DOI: 10.1007/s10653-024-02322-7
Abstrakt: This study investigated the distributions of heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in agricultural soils near coal-fired power plants in Taean and Seocheon, South Korea, considering wind direction and distance from the plants. Additionally, pollution assessment for these heavy metals was conducted using the geoaccumulation index (I geo ) and enrichment factor. Results showed that heavy metal concentrations in the studied soil samples were below Korean environmental criteria for agricultural soil (Cd: 4, Cu: 150, Hg: 4, Ni: 100, Pb: 200, and Zn: 300 mg/kg). However, a significant proportion of samples exceeded average levels found in uncontaminated soils. Spatial distribution analysis revealed higher concentrations of Cd and Pb southwest of the Taean plant, influenced by prevailing northeast winds. In Seocheon, soils within 4 km of the plant exhibited elevated levels of Cd and Ni, suggesting coal combustion as a potential contamination source. Pollution assessment indicated that Cd and Pb in soils near both thermal power plants were more enriched by artificial activity compared to agricultural soils in control areas. Sequential extraction results showed that heavy metals in soils within 4 km of the Seocheon plant had higher proportions of exchangeable to organic-associated forms than soils beyond 4 km, indicating a risk of high bioavailability near emission sources. This study highlights the significant impact of coal-fired power plant emissions on soil contamination, emphasizing the need for continuous monitoring and management. Environmental policies should consider wind patterns and proximity to emission sources to effectively mitigate contamination risks.
Competing Interests: Declarations. Conflict of interests: The authors have no relevant financial or nonfinancial interests to disclose.
(© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)
Databáze: MEDLINE
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