Heavy metal pollution in China: Origin, pattern and control (original) (raw)

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Abstract

Goal, Scope and Background

Heavy metal is among one of the pollutants, which cause severe threats to humans and the environment in China. The aim of the present review is to make information on the source of heavy metal pollution, distribution of heavy metals in the environment, and measures of pollution control accessible internationally, which are mostly published in Chinese.

Methods

Information from scientific journals, university journals and governmental releases are compiled focusing mainly on Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn. Partly Al, As, Cr, Fe, Hg, Mn and Ni are included also in part as well.

Results and Discussion

In soil, the average contents of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn are 0.097, 22.6, 26.0 and 74.2 mg/kg, respectively. In the water of the Yangtze River Basin, the concentrations of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn are 0.080, 7.91,15.7 and 18.7 ug/L, respectively. In reference to human activities, the heavy metal pollution comes from three sources: industrial emission, wastewater and solid waste. The environment such as soil, water and air were polluted by heavy metals in some cases. The contents of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn even reach 3.16, 99.3, 84.1 and 147 mg/kg, respectively, in the soils of a wastewater irrigation zone. These contaminants pollute drinking water and food, and threaten human health. Some diseases resulting from pollution of geological and environmental origin, were observed with long-term and non-reversible effects.

Conclusions

In China, the geological background level of heavy metal is low, but with the activity of humans, soil, water, air, and plants are polluted by heavy metals in some cases and even affect human health through the food chain.

Recommendations and Outlook

To remediate and improve environmental quality is a long strategy for the polluted area to keep humans and animals healthy. Phytoremediation would be an effective technique to remediate the heavy metal pollutions.

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Authors and Affiliations

1. State Key Lab of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, 430072, Wuhan, P.R. China
   Shuiping Cheng
2. Institute of Botany, University of Cologne, Gyrhofstrasse 15, D-50931, Koeln, Germany
   Shuiping Cheng

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Cheng, S. Heavy metal pollution in China: Origin, pattern and control.Environ Sci & Pollut Res 10, 192–198 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1065/espr2002.11.141.1

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• Received: 31 May 2002
• Accepted: 12 November 2002
• Issue Date: May 2003
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1065/espr2002.11.141.1

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