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Heavy metal contents and magnetic susceptibility of soils along an urban–rural gradient in rapidly growing city of eastern China

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Abstract

The accumulation of heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn) and magnetic minerals in soils along an urban–rural gradient in the rapidly growing Hangzhou City, Eastern China, was measured. The analytical results indicated that heavy metal concentrations, magnetic susceptibility (χlf) and saturation isothermal remnant magnetization (SIRM) in soils decreased with increasing distance from the urban center. The significant relationships existed between heavy metal concentrations, χlf and SIRM and distance from the urban center. The soils in the urban areas were enriched with Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn. Elevated concentrations of heavy metals (especially Cd and Zn) in urban areas indicated the evidence for the accumulation of heavy metal contaminants from anthropogenic activities. Enhanced heavy metal concentrations and magnetic susceptibility were located in the uppermost soil horizons (0–10 cm), decreasing downwards to background values. The significant positive correlations between the Tomlinson Pollution Load Index (PLI) and magnetic susceptibility and SIRM were observed in polluted soil samples. Strong positive correlation indicated that magnetic screening/monitoring provided a fast and non-destructive tool, which can be effectively used as a proxy to detect environmental pollution in rapidly growing urbanization regions affected by anthropogenic activities.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Subtropical Soil and Plant Nutrition, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310029, People’s Republic of China

    Shenggao Lu, Hongyan Wang & Shiqiang Bai

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  1. Shenggao Lu
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  2. Hongyan Wang
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  3. Shiqiang Bai
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Correspondence to Shenggao Lu.

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Lu, S., Wang, H. & Bai, S. Heavy metal contents and magnetic susceptibility of soils along an urban–rural gradient in rapidly growing city of eastern China. Environ Monit Assess 155, 91–101 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-008-0420-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-008-0420-5

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