Coal combustion at power plants is a significant source of environmental pollution, with the deposition of heavy metals in soils leading to extensive ecosystem contamination and exacerbating the harmful impacts of human activities. This study presents a field investigation of heavy metal concentrations in soils around a coal-fired power plant, with monitoring sites located 1.7 to 15.2 km from the plant. Data collection occurred in 2015, 2020, and 2024 across 11 monitoring sites. X-ray fluorescence analysis was used to assess heavy metal concentrations in soil. A life cycle assessment (LCA) with ReCiPe method was conducted to evaluate the impacts on both ecological and human health. The results revealed that the concentrations of Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni, Mn, Cd, and Cr exceeded threshold levels set by both the World Soil Average and the Regional Geochemical Background. The correlation analysis shows that organic matter and clay content play vital roles in reducing the mobility of heavy metals in soil through adsorption. Notably, strong correlations between Pb and Cd suggest a common origin from coal seam minerals. The LCA shows that freshwater ecotoxicity, marine ecotoxicity, terrestrial ecotoxicity, and human toxicity increased by over 30 % compared to the World Soil Average pollutant levels. Nickel was identified as the primary contributor to marine and freshwater ecotoxicity, while manganese had the most significant impact on human toxicity. This study provides a better understanding of the long-term consequences of heavy metal accumulation in soils near coal-fired power plant. The data on anthropogenic impacts are crucial for developing effective strategies to mitigate environmental risks associated with pollution.

中文翻译：

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燃煤电厂周围土壤重金属污染的生态和健康风险评估


发电厂的燃煤是环境污染的重要来源，重金属在土壤中的沉积会导致广泛的生态系统污染，并加剧人类活动的有害影响。本研究对燃煤电厂周围土壤中重金属浓度进行了实地调查，监测点距离燃煤电厂 1.7 至 15.2 公里。数据收集发生在 2015 年、2020 年和 2024 年，涉及 11 个监测站点。采用 X 射线荧光分析评估土壤中的重金属浓度。使用 ReCiPe 方法进行了生命周期评估 （LCA），以评估对生态和人类健康的影响。结果表明，Pb、Zn、Cu、Ni、Mn、Cd 和 Cr 的浓度超过了世界土壤平均和区域地球化学背景设定的阈值水平。相关性分析表明，有机质和粘土含量在通过吸附降低土壤中重金属的迁移率方面起着至关重要的作用。值得注意的是，Pb 和 Cd 之间的强相关性表明它们共同来自煤层矿物。生命周期评估显示，与世界土壤平均污染物水平相比，淡水生态毒性、海洋生态毒性、陆地生态毒性和人类毒性增加了 30% 以上。镍被确定为海洋和淡水生态毒性的主要贡献者，而锰对人类毒性的影响最为显着。这项研究有助于更好地了解燃煤电厂附近土壤中重金属积累的长期后果。关于人为影响的数据对于制定有效的策略以减轻与污染相关的环境风险至关重要。