Distribution and assessment of Pb in the supergene environment of the Huainan Coal Mining Area, Anhui, China

摘要: Coal mining area is highly subject to lead (Pb) pollution from coal activities. Several decades of and processing practices in dozens mines the Huainan Mining Area (HCMA) have led accumulation massive amounts gangue, which piled dumps. In order investigate impacts gangue dumps on Pb level supergene media HCMA, a systematic sampling campaign comprising soil, wheat, earthworm samples was conducted. The average content soil 24 mg/kg, slightly higher than associated gangues (23 mg/kg) markedly reference region (12.6 mg/kg). Soil HCMA present slight moderate contamination, might be related weathering leaching Lateral distribution differed among individual mines. profile depends both natural anthropogenic contributions. Average roots stems, leaves, wheat husks, while seeds exceeded maximum allowance for foods (Maximum Levels Contaminants Foods China, GB 2762–2012). Earthworms selected are significantly enriched Pb, suggesting bio-available HCMA.