Multiple Evaluation of Typical Heavy Metals Pollution in Surface Soil and Road Dust from Beijing and Hebei Province, China

Soil and road dust are important receptors of heavy metals in the environment. Meanwhile, heavy metal could transfer to the atmosphere through resuspension. Due to the serious consequences and atmospheric haze in Jing-Jin-Ji area, it's important to evaluate the pollution level, particle size distribution and sources of heavy metals. For heavy metals in soil samples, similar concentrations to the background values and no obvious pollution or low-level pollution was presented. Higher concentration of Cu (78.9 mg/kg) and Zn (261 mg/kg) were found in road dust. The source appointment results showed that Mn, Co, Cr, Ni, Zn and Pb in soils and Cr, Co and Mn in road dust were mainly from the natural sources, while traffic source contributed to most of Cu, Zn and Pb in road dust. Different particle size distribution patterns were found in soils and road dusts, and the finest particles presented the highest heavy metal concentrations.

Automated summary

Soil and road dust are significant sources of heavy metal pollution in the environment and can lead to heavy metal transfer to the atmosphere through resuspension. Evaluating the pollution levels, particle size distribution, and sources of heavy metals is important, especially in the heavily-polluted Jing-Jin-Ji area.