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Soil Heavy Metal Accumulation and Ecological Risk in Mount Wuyi: Impacts of Vegetation Types and Pollution Sources

Author

Listed:
  • Feng Wu

    (Changsha General Survey of Natural Resources Center, China Geological Survey, Changsha 410600, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Donghai Zhu

    (Hubei Key Laboratory of Regional Development and Environmental Response, Faculty of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Tao Yang

    (Changsha General Survey of Natural Resources Center, China Geological Survey, Changsha 410600, China)

  • Cong Mao

    (Changsha General Survey of Natural Resources Center, China Geological Survey, Changsha 410600, China)

  • Wubiao Huang

    (Changsha General Survey of Natural Resources Center, China Geological Survey, Changsha 410600, China)

  • Shuangshi Zhou

    (Changsha General Survey of Natural Resources Center, China Geological Survey, Changsha 410600, China)

  • Yujing Yang

    (Hubei Key Laboratory of Regional Development and Environmental Response, Faculty of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China)

Abstract

Soil heavy metal (HM) contamination has become a critical global environmental issue, predominantly caused by industrial and agricultural operations. This study focuses on Mount Wuyi, a UNESCO biodiversity hotspot and major tea production base, to examine vegetation-mediated soil HM accumulation under anthropogenic impacts. We analyzed nine HMs (Mn, Cu, Zn, Cd, Hg, As, Pb, Cr, Ni) across diverse vegetation types using geochemical indices and Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) modeling. The findings revealed Mn and Zn were dominant elements, and Cr and Pb concentrations exceeded regional background values by 3.47 and 1.26 times, respectively. Cr, Cd, and Pb demonstrated significant pollution levels, while Cd and Hg posed the highest ecological risks. Vegetation type significantly influenced HM distribution patterns, with cultivated areas and shrublands (including tea gardens) accumulating higher concentrations of Cu, Cd, Pb, and Hg from agricultural and transportation sources. Notably, bamboo forests exhibited natural resistance to HM contamination. PMF analysis identified four primary pollution sources: urbanization (27.94%), transport–agriculture activities (21.40%), agricultural practices (12.98%), and atmospheric deposition (12.96%). These results underscore the need for implementing clean energy solutions, phytoremediation strategies, and tea-specific detoxification measures to maintain ecological security and agricultural sustainability in this ecologically significant region.

Suggested Citation

  • Feng Wu & Donghai Zhu & Tao Yang & Cong Mao & Wubiao Huang & Shuangshi Zhou & Yujing Yang, 2025. "Soil Heavy Metal Accumulation and Ecological Risk in Mount Wuyi: Impacts of Vegetation Types and Pollution Sources," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-16, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:14:y:2025:i:4:p:712-:d:1621213
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Wenyue Du & Peng Zeng & Shi Yu & Fan Liu & Ping’an Sun, 2025. "Distribution, Risk Assessment, and Quantitative Source Analysis of Soil Heavy Metals in a Typical Agricultural City of East-Central China," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-20, January.
    2. Željka Zgorelec & Nikica Šprem & Radovan Abramović & Marija Galić & Iva Hrelja & Domina Delač & Toni Safner & Ivica Kisić, 2025. "Temporal and Spatial Changes in Soil Quality at Shooting Ranges: A Case Study in Croatia," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-17, January.
    3. Sonja Tošić Jojević & Vesna Mrvić & Olivera Stajković-Srbinović & Marina Jovković & Svetlana Antić Mladenović & Matija Krpović & Snežana Belanović Simić, 2024. "Geochemical Distribution of Ni, Cr, and Co in the Main Soil Types of the Čemernica River Basin in Serbia (In a Serpentine Environment)," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-23, December.
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