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Distribution and source apportionment of heavy metals in farmland soils using PMF and lead isotopic composition
Received:September 12, 2018  
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KeyWord:heavy metals;lead isotopes;positive matrix factorization(PMF);source apportionment
Author NameAffiliationE-mail
CHEN Jin-fang College of Food and Biological Engineering, Jimei University, Xiamen 361021, China
Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Science, Xiamen 361021, China
Research Center of Water Treatment Engineering, Jimei University, Xiamen 361021, China 
 
FANG Hong-da College of Food and Biological Engineering, Jimei University, Xiamen 361021, China
Research Center of Water Treatment Engineering, Jimei University, Xiamen 361021, China 
30530291@qq.com 
WU Jing-jing College of Food and Biological Engineering, Jimei University, Xiamen 361021, China
Research Center of Water Treatment Engineering, Jimei University, Xiamen 361021, China 
 
LIN Jin-mei College of Food and Biological Engineering, Jimei University, Xiamen 361021, China
Research Center of Water Treatment Engineering, Jimei University, Xiamen 361021, China 
 
LAN Wei-bin College of Food and Biological Engineering, Jimei University, Xiamen 361021, China
Research Center of Water Treatment Engineering, Jimei University, Xiamen 361021, China 
 
CHEN Jin-sheng Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Science, Xiamen 361021, China  
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Abstract:
      To identify the distribution characteristics, pollution status, and pollution sources of heavy metals in farmland soils of the Jiulong River Watershed, the concentrations of Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, and Pb, along with the lead isotope ratios in the soils, were measured. The results showed that the concentrations of heavy metals in the soils have increased significantly in the studied region over the past two decades. Among all the heavy metals, the rate of increase in concentration was largest for Cd. Pronounced spatial gradients were observed in the concentrations of soil heavy metals at different functional areas, thereby indicating that human activities have important effects on soils in the Jiulong River Watershed. High concentrations of soil Cd associated with agricultural pollution were observed at all stations. The results of the potential hazard index assessment indicated that most studied areas were moderate ecological risk zones, with Cd being the major contributing factor. Principal component analysis (PCA) and positive matrix factorization (PMF) revealed five primary factors (pollution sources) with the following contribution rates:industrial emissions (26.3%), vehicle emissions (23.2%), natural sources (22.0%), agricultural activities (16.2%), and other mixed sources (12.0%). The results of the Pb isotopic mixing model demonstrated that Pb mainly originated from vehicle exhaust (57%), coal combustion (34%), and industrial emissions (9%). The results of the three methods used for source apportionment were in good agreement. Thus, these methods can be used complimentarily to effectively constrain heavy metals pollution sources.