Combination of UNMIX, PMF model and Pb-Zn-Cu isotopic compositions for quantitative source apportionment of heavy metals in suburban agricultural soils

Quantitative identification of heavy metals (HM) sources in soils is key to prevention and control of heavy metal pollution. In this study, UNMIX, PMF (Positive matrix factorization) model and Pb-Zn-Cu isotopic compositions were combined to quantitatively identify heavy metal sources in a suburban agricultural area of Kaifeng, China. Using multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS) and ICP-MS, we measured Pb, Zn and Cu stable isotopic compositions, HM concentrations and HM chemical fractions in studied soils, as well as potential sources around the highly polluted site, including total suspended particle, compound fertilizer, irrigated river water and sediments. The results showed that total contents and chemical fractions of heavy metals, as well as Pb-Zn-Cu isotopic compositions presented great variation in different sites, which implied that heavy metal accumulation was obviously affected by local anthropogenic pollution source. UNMIX and PMF presented good agreement on source apportionment that industrial and agricultural activities (61.74% and 60.75% for UNMIX and PMF, respectively) were the major contributors to heavy metal accumulation in the study area. Especially, sewage irrigation and atmosphere deposition accounted for a large proportion (28.14% and 41.03% for UNMIX and PMF, respectively). Moreover, isotopic compositions of Pb, Zn and Cu in highly polluted soils and environment media gave further confirmation that sewage irrigation and atmosphere deposition were primary anthropogenic source. Therefore, combination of UNMIX, PMF model and Pb-Zn-Cu isotopic compositions showed good coordination in quantitative and specific source identification of heavy metals in agricultural soils.

Automated summary

This study successfully quantitatively identified the sources of heavy metals in agricultural soils in Kaifeng, China using various methods and techniques. The results showed that local anthropogenic pollution sources had a significant impact on heavy metal accumulation, with sewage irrigation and atmospheric deposition being the primary anthropogenic sources.