Characteristics analysis and potential ecological risk assessment of heavy metals in agricultural soil around Yuanbaoshan Mine of Guangxi, China

To explore the influence of Yuanbaoshan Mine in Rongshui of Guangxi to farmland soil nearby, The annual variability and statistical characteristics of heavy metals Cu, Zn, Pb Cd, As, and Hg in paddy and dry farmland soils around Yuanbaoshan Mine were presented, on the basis of continuous yearly monitoring from 2009 to2011. The potential ecological risks of these heavy metals were also assessed according to their Nemerow indices.The results showed that the concentrations of the six heavy metals in all of the soil samples were lower than those critical values of the National Soil Quality Standard(Grade II)except Hg. The Nemerow index showed that most soils monitored were at warning stage and several soils were slightly polluted. The heavy metals contents of the 6farmlands did not reach significant level(p0.05) from 2009 to 2013. The correlation analysis showed that there little relationship among the six metals, which meant that the heavy metals were not drive from Yuanbaoshan Mine and their possible sources might different.