ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Speciation Analysis and Ecological Risk Assessment
of Antimony in Xikuangshan, Hunan Province
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1
School of Environmental Sciences, Huaibei Normal University, Huaibei 235000, China
2
School of Food and Biological Engineering, Hefei University and Technology, Hefei, 230000,China
Submission date: 2020-04-27
Final revision date: 2020-07-18
Acceptance date: 2020-07-20
Online publication date: 2020-10-16
Publication date: 2021-01-20
Corresponding author
Fei Liu
Huaibei Normal University, Dongshan road 100,Huaibei City,Anhui Province, 235000, Huaibei, China
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2021;30(2):1289-1296
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ABSTRACT
Total concentrations and different forms of antimony (Sb) in soils of Laokuang District (LKQ-1,
LKQ-2, LKQ-3), Beikuang District (BKQ-4, BKQ-5, BKQ-6) and Nankuang District (NKQ-7, NKQ-8,
NKQ-9, NKQ-10) of Xikuangshan, Hunan province, China were analyzed. The soil Sb concentrations
in the whole-ore heap of LKQ-1 and the mining land of NKQ-7 were up to 4258 and 3174 mg/kg
respectively, which were both 2000 times above the background soil Sb level in China. In terms of
vertical distribution, the Sb concentrations gradually declined with the rise of soil depth. Tessier’s
5-step sequential extraction method showed Sb mainly existed in stable forms (organic-matter-bound
form, residual form), and the available form accounted for 18%. The proportions of different forms
ranked as residual form >iron/manganese oxides >organic-matter-bound form >carbonate-bound
form > water-soluble form. Vegetation affected the form distribution of Sb in a complex way and may
increase the bioavailability of Sb, so ecological restoration of Sb can be realized through the absorption
by vegetation. Analysis of the geoaccumulation index and the potential ecological risk index showed
that Xikuangshan was under extremely severe Sb pollution and very serious potential ecological risk.
The Sb mining and smelting activities of humans aggravated local Sb pollution.