Assessment and distribution of antimony in soils around three coal mines, Anhui, China

Journal of the Air and Waste Management Association
By: , and 

Links

Abstract

Thirty-three soil samples were collected from the Luling, Liuer, and Zhangji coal mines in the Huaibei and Huainan areas of Anhui Province, China. The samples were analyzed for antimony (Sb) by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) method. The average Sb content in the 33 samples was 4 mg kg−1, which is lower than in coals from this region (6.2 mg kg−1). More than 75% of the soils sampled showed a significant degree of Sb pollution (enrichment factors [EFs] 5–20). The soils collected near the gob pile and coal preparation plant were higher in Sb content than those collected from residential areas near the mines. The gob pile and tailings from the preparation plant were high in mineral matter content and high in Sb. They are the sources of Sb pollution in surface soils in the vicinity of coal mines. The spatial dispersion of Sb in surface soil in the mine region shows that Sb pollution could reach out as far as 350 m into the local environment conditions. Crops in rice paddies may adsorb some Sb and reduce the Sb content in soils from paddyfields. Vertical distribution of Sb in two soil profiles indicates that Sb is normally relatively immobile in soils.

Study Area

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Assessment and distribution of antimony in soils around three coal mines, Anhui, China
Series title Journal of the Air and Waste Management Association
DOI 10.3155/1047-3289.61.8.850
Volume 61
Issue 8
Year Published 2011
Language English
Publisher Taylor & Francis Online
Description 8 p.
First page 850
Last page 857
Country China
Other Geospatial Anhui
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details