Jing, CX; Kong, QM; Feng, ZG
Two background profiles (B1, B2) and three potentially polluted profiles (S1, S2, S3) around a uranium tailings pond in South China were selected. The characteristics and behaviors of exogenous heavy metal pollution in the soil of uranium tailings pond were discussed by comparing the distributions of heavy metal elements in each profile. Results showed that: (1) Compared with the background profile, the main and minor components in the soil adjacent to the uranium tailings reservoir were significantly input. (2) The tailings pond was the direct source of soil heavy metal pollution in the area, and the heavy metals such as As, Pb, Sb, Cd and U were transported to the peripheral soil, as shown in PCA. (3) The metal elements in potential polluted soil were closely related to LOI (loss on ignition), K and P, and have secondary correlation with Na, CA, Mn, pH and Fe. Heavy metals were significantly enriched in potential polluted profile (S1 and S2) according to the leaching and migration degree of heavy metals. From the tailings pond to its surrounding soil, the lateral migration characteristics of the heavy metals were different. (4) The potential risks of the tailings pond should be controlled because from tailings pond to its surrounding soil 30m, As, Pb, Sb, Cd and U were significantly polluted, and their contents exceed much larger than the agricultural land soil pollution risk control standards and the background value of the soil elements specified in the provincial level. © 2020, Editorial Board of China Environmental Science. All right reserved.