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Spatial Distribution and Economic Loss Estimation of Heavy Metals in the Soil of Northern Areas of Shanxi Province, China


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1 University of Science & Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100008, China
 

This study analyses the spatial autocorrelation of heavy metals in the soil of northern areas of Shanxi Province, China, and quantitatively calculates the economic losses caused by heavy metal pollution in soil. This study is based on 96 sample data obtained from 32 districts and counties in the northern areas of Shanxi Province, China. This study first adopts three kinds of spatial weight matrixes (i.e., rook, queen, and k-nearest) to estimate Moran's I index, which is an indicator of the content of heavy metals in soil. Moreover, this study assesses the distribution and spatial autocorrelation of heavy metals in the soil of northern areas of Shanxi Province, China. Then, economic loss model of heavy metal pollution in soil is determined based on the pollution loss rate method. The pollution loss rate of four common heavy metals in soil (Cd, As, Cu, Cr) and the total economic losses caused by pollution are quantitatively calculated. Results indicate that content indicators of Cd, As and Cu in the northern areas of Shanxi Province are positive. The three heavy metals in soil generally have positive spatial correlation, and Moran's I index of Cr has negative value under the effect of the three weight matrixes. Hence, negative spatial correlation is determined in terms of spatial distribution. The single heavy metal pollution loss rate is between 1.11% and 1.39%, and the overall difference is small. The comprehensive heavy metal pollution loss rate is 5.24%, which fall undergrade in terms of contamination grade division. Although this result still belongs to clean level, the economic loss of heavy metal pollution in soil is large, which is around 63.765 million yuan (RMB). The conclusions of this study can provide theoretical basis and decision-making references to relevant government departments and industrial enterprises on the prevention of heavy metal pollution and environmental governance.

Keywords

Heavy Metals in Soil, Spatial Distribution, Economic Losses.
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  • Spatial Distribution and Economic Loss Estimation of Heavy Metals in the Soil of Northern Areas of Shanxi Province, China

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Authors

Wei Yu
University of Science & Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100008, China

Abstract


This study analyses the spatial autocorrelation of heavy metals in the soil of northern areas of Shanxi Province, China, and quantitatively calculates the economic losses caused by heavy metal pollution in soil. This study is based on 96 sample data obtained from 32 districts and counties in the northern areas of Shanxi Province, China. This study first adopts three kinds of spatial weight matrixes (i.e., rook, queen, and k-nearest) to estimate Moran's I index, which is an indicator of the content of heavy metals in soil. Moreover, this study assesses the distribution and spatial autocorrelation of heavy metals in the soil of northern areas of Shanxi Province, China. Then, economic loss model of heavy metal pollution in soil is determined based on the pollution loss rate method. The pollution loss rate of four common heavy metals in soil (Cd, As, Cu, Cr) and the total economic losses caused by pollution are quantitatively calculated. Results indicate that content indicators of Cd, As and Cu in the northern areas of Shanxi Province are positive. The three heavy metals in soil generally have positive spatial correlation, and Moran's I index of Cr has negative value under the effect of the three weight matrixes. Hence, negative spatial correlation is determined in terms of spatial distribution. The single heavy metal pollution loss rate is between 1.11% and 1.39%, and the overall difference is small. The comprehensive heavy metal pollution loss rate is 5.24%, which fall undergrade in terms of contamination grade division. Although this result still belongs to clean level, the economic loss of heavy metal pollution in soil is large, which is around 63.765 million yuan (RMB). The conclusions of this study can provide theoretical basis and decision-making references to relevant government departments and industrial enterprises on the prevention of heavy metal pollution and environmental governance.

Keywords


Heavy Metals in Soil, Spatial Distribution, Economic Losses.

References