ABSTRACT

Poor management of effluents from steel and iron industries could increase element concentrations in the environment and threaten the health of consumers of food products from these areas. The current study assessed element concentration and physicochemical properties of soils, water, and vegetation from within 200 m around three steel and iron industries. A workable grid-based sampling design guided soil and plant sampling; upstream-downstream water quality comparisons were adapted with upstream as a control sample. Analyses were conducted following procedures by USEPA method 3051A. Element concentration was in the order Mn>As>Zn>Cr>Pb. The concentrations reduced with increase in distance from the industry. There was moderate-to-strong pollution of soils for As, and transfer factor for all elements was >1. In conclusion, industrial activity might have contributed to increased element concentrations in the soils, vegetation, and water sources around the industries. Agrarian activities may only be safely carried out 151m away from the industries.

摘要

钢铁工业废水管理不善可能会增加环境中的元素浓度，并威胁这些地区食品消费者的健康。当前的研究评估了三个钢铁工业周围 200 m 范围内土壤、水和植被的元素浓度和理化性质。可行的基于网格的采样设计引导土壤和植物采样；上下游水质比较以上游为对照样本。分析按照 USEPA 方法 3051A 的程序进行。元素浓度顺序为Mn>As>Zn>Cr>Pb。随着距工业区距离的增加，浓度降低。土壤As存在中度至重度污染，所有元素转移因子>1。综上所述，工业活动可能导致工业周围土壤、植被和水源中元素浓度的增加。农业活动只能在距工业区 151m 处安全进行。