Search Results (266)

Augmenting aquaculture feeds with black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens L.) larvae is an emerging solution to the industry’s fishmeal and fish oil dependence. However, the larva’s nutritional plasticity often results in bioaccumulation of metals from the rearing substrates. Larvae can be nutritionally enriched with microalgae, but research investigating growth impacts and metals uptake are lacking. In this study, a Stichococcaceae algae strain that is used to phycoremediate effluent from commercial anaerobic digesters was investigated as a rearing substrate. Larvae were reared on chicken feed enriched with stepped ratios of algae and spent coffee grounds (a reference waste feed). Growth, survival and metals content (ICP-OES) were recorded when 10% of larvae were prepupal. Survival was >98.5% across all treatments with a trend of increased growth with microalgal inclusion, and no significant impact of metals on growth. Metals uptake as determined by a bioaccumulation factor was significantly lower in the highest algae treatment compared to the coffee-only treatment. Larvae consistently accumulated cadmium and lead whereas arsenic bioaccumulation was only observed in three treatments. Cadmium had the highest bioaccumulation factor (up to 4.06) and arsenic the lowest (down to 0.41). Larvae did not exceed current European Union maximum metal ions levels for inclusion into aquafeeds. These findings highlight the potential of using Stichococcaceae to enrich black soldier fly larvae, offering a dual sustainable solution for wastewater remediation and aquaculture feed provision. Full article

The Yangtze River Economic Belt supports over 400 million people and contributes nearly half of China’s GDP, yet decades of industrialization, urbanization, and agricultural intensification have resulted in severe contamination and pressing environmental challenges. This systematic review synthesizes three decades of peer-reviewed and governmental data to examine the spatiotemporal distribution, sources, and ecological and human health risks of major pollutants, including heavy metals, microplastics, persistent organic pollutants, and excess nutrients. While point-source emission of heavy metals such as cadmium, lead, and mercury have decreased by 35–42% since 2013 following policy interventions like the 10-Point Water Plan and the Yangtze River Protection Law, legacy contaminants in sediments and diffuse agricultural inputs continue to pose significant risks. Cadmium levels in rice still exceed food safety standards, arsenic in groundwater surpasses health guidelines, and microplastic flux into the East China Sea has reached 8.3 × 10¹² particles per year. Nutrient surpluses also drive extensive algal blooms, causing substantial economic losses. This review evaluates remediation strategies such as dredging, phytoremediation, wetland restoration, and AI-enhanced monitoring, which show removal efficiencies of 60–90% at reduced costs. However, critical gaps remain in understanding chronic mixture toxicity, the long-term fate of emerging contaminants, and pollutant–climate interactions. We propose an integrated basin-wide roadmap combining zero-liquid-discharge mandates, green infrastructure, and adaptive, performance-based governance to secure the Yangtze’s ecological and economic sustainability. This framework offers a transferable model for large-scale watershed management worldwide. Full article

Water contamination by arsenic(V) [As(V)] and Congo red (CR) dye poses concurrent threats to public health and aquatic ecosystems, particularly in regions where metallurgical and textile industries coexist. Developing a single adsorbent capable of simultaneously addressing these chemically distinct pollutants, while recovering value from the spent material remains an open challenge in sustainable water treatment. This study reports the synthesis and evaluation of a novel ternary MgZnFe-LDH/1,2,4-triazole composite (TM-LDH/TZ), engineered for the concurrent adsorptive removal of As(V) and CR, and the subsequent repurposing of the pollutant-loaded material as an electrocatalyst for the urea oxidation reaction (UOR). The composite was prepared via co-precipitation and triazole surface grafting, then characterized by FTIR, XRD, BET, TGA, FESEM, and HRTEM. Batch adsorption experiments examined the influence of pH, adsorbent dose, initial concentration, and temperature, with equilibrium data modeled through Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, and the statistically grounded Advanced Monolayer Model (AMM); kinetics were assessed using pseudo-first/second-order and Elovich models. Maximum Langmuir adsorption capacities reached 204.75 mg g⁻¹ for As(V) and 499.72 mg g⁻¹ for CR simultaneously at pH 5 and 25 °C, surpassing the majority of previously reported single-pollutant adsorbents. Elovich and pseudo-second-order kinetics confirmed chemisorption as the governing pathway for As(V) and CR, respectively, while AMM thermodynamic analysis verified spontaneous adsorption across all experimental conditions. The spent composite delivered a UOR peak current density of 184.67 mA cm⁻² that is nearly twice that of the fresh material, with a reduced charge-transfer resistance of 1.19 Ω, and removal efficiency remained above 85% through three successive regeneration cycles. The bifunctional design, coupling high-capacity dual-pollutant removal with catalytic valorization of waste, positions TM-LDH/TZ as a circular-economy-aligned platform for advanced water remediation. Full article

Increased soil metal concentrations may be detrimental to human health as well as the environment. This study was conducted to infer the potential environmental risks and possible sources of heavy metal pollution in serpentine soils in Alacakaya. For this purpose, the concentrations of Ni, Co, Zn, Pb, Cu, As, and Cr in 28 soil samples collected from serpentine soils in the region were determined using ICP-MS. The heavy metal pollution of soils in the region was examined by applying different indicators, and the pollution load index (PLI), contamination factor (CF) and geo-accumulation index (Igeo) were used to assess ecological risks. The average concentrations of metals were in the order of Ni (2003) > Cu (1220) > Cr (823) > Zn (206) > Co (159) > Pb (56.9) > As (38.9) mg kg⁻¹. The arsenic (As) concentration exceeded the limits permitted by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 53.6% of the soil samples, the zinc (Zn) concentration in 35.7%; the lead (Pb) concentration in 14.3%; and the Ni, Co, Cr, and Cu concentrations in 100% of the samples. The average Igeos were as follows: As 3.28 (heavily polluted); Cu, 3.23 (heavily polluted); Pb 1.04 (moderately polluted); Zn 0.71 (lightly polluted); Ni, 4.04 (heavily to extremely polluted); and Co 2.03 and Cr 2.35 (moderately to heavily polluted). According to Igeo values, it was stated that Ni, As, Cu, Cr and Co were the elements that posed the greatest ecological risk in the study area. According to the CF values, pollution is observed in all samples, and there is very serious Ni pollution. The heavy metals showing the most pollution were Cu > As > Cr > Co > Pb > Zn. Samples from the study area demonstrate strongly contaminated soil based on the PLI (mean 7.4) values. These findings provide important information for soil remediation and the removal of heavy metal contamination from soils in similar regions. Full article

Potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in mining-impacted wetlands can transfer from soil and water to forage and grazing livestock, resulting in dietary exposure for nearby communities. In this study, arsenic (As), lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd) were quantified in key environmental matrices (soil, surface water, and forage) and in sheep tissues (liver, kidney, and muscle) from six georeferenced grazing sites in the Ite coastal wetland (Tacna, Peru) during the dry season. Samples were acid-digested following U.S. EPA protocols and analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) under QA/QC procedures (certified reference materials, blanks, duplicates, and matrix spikes); matrix-specific detection and quantification limits are reported. Arsenic dominated the contamination profile (forage: 428.6 mg kg⁻¹, dry weight; soil: 48.61 mg kg⁻¹; water: 0.97 mg L⁻¹) and was detected in sheep tissues (kidney: 0.1577 mg kg⁻¹; muscle: 0.1538 mg kg⁻¹; liver: 0.0644 mg kg⁻¹). Lead and cadmium were <LOQ in muscle and liver but were measurable in kidney (Pb: 0.0415 mg kg⁻¹; Cd: 0.0011 mg kg⁻¹). To support the interpretation of trophic transfer, screening transfer/bioaccumulation metrics (soil-to-forage, forage-to-tissue, and water-to-tissue) were calculated. Human dietary exposure was screened using estimated daily intake (EDI), hazard quotient (HQ), and margin of exposure (MOE). Because arsenic speciation was not measured, inorganic arsenic (iAs) risk was evaluated as a conservative upper bound (100% iAs) and through sensitivity scenarios (10–50% iAs). Under a high-meat-consumption scenario (300 g day⁻¹), the upper-bound assumption yielded HQ = 2.2 and MOE = 0.46; however, scenario analyses indicate that risk conclusions are highly dependent on the assumed iAs fraction. Overall, the results identify arsenic as a priority contaminant and support targeted grazing management, the provision of low-arsenic water sources, and remediation and monitoring actions to reduce exposure in vulnerable rural communities. Full article

Revitalisation of contaminated brownfield sites is essential for sustainable development, particularly near sensitive ecological areas like Natura 2000 sites. The lagoon in Slovenia’s Regional Park Šturmovci, an artificial wastewater convergence point created during hydroelectric construction, is a highly relevant example. This study integrates geochemical, mineralogical and isotopic analyses to identify sources and controlling mechanisms of contaminant distribution in lagoon sediments and assess their transfer to nearby agricultural soils during flooding events. Results indicate anaerobic conditions, with depth-related shifts in phosphorus, sulphur and redox-sensitive elements, such as rare earth elements (REE), arsenic (As), barium (Ba), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb) and vanadium (V), as well as fluctuations in pyrite-rich laminated layers, suggesting potential flood-driven remobilisation of trace elements. Lagoon sediments are highly contaminated with As (73 mg kg⁻¹), Ba (247 mg kg⁻¹), Pb (97 mg kg⁻¹) and Zn (1118 mg kg⁻¹), with elevated concentrations also observed in agricultural soil, all exceeding respective limit values of 20, 160, 85 and 200 mg kg⁻¹. Pollutant concentrations were highest near wastewater inflows and decreased with distance, with nitrogen isotopic patterns indicating partial nitrification and surface ammonium accumulation, reflecting intensive agricultural inputs in the area. High enrichment factor (EF > 20) and geoaccumulation index (I_geo > 3) values, in particular for As, Cd and Zn, indicated severe contamination and highlighted the urgent need for effective remediation strategies, including immobilisation using biochar or cement-based binders, as well as phytoremediation approaches. Full article

Arsenic contamination in groundwater is a severe and widespread environmental and public health challenge. Recent years have witnessed rapid advances in catalytic remediation technologies, particularly those integrating advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), bifunctional materials, and field-scale applications. This comprehensive review synthesizes recent developments, emphasizing the synergy between catalytic oxidation and adsorption, the design of innovative and recyclable materials, and the practical translation of laboratory findings to real-world remediation scenarios. Key breakthroughs include dual-function catalysts for combined contaminant removal, scalable systems compatible with renewable energy, and hybrid strategies integrating conventional and catalytic routes. Case studies from arsenic hotspots worldwide demonstrate not only technological feasibility but also highlight knowledge gaps and sustainability challenges. By evaluating catalytic mechanisms, operational performance, and environmental impact, this review identifies promising directions for the next generation of arsenic remediation and offers a critical roadmap to guide future research and practice. Full article

Pb–Zn slag and smelting activities represent a persistent global source of soil contamination, releasing toxic heavy metals—lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), and arsenic (As)—with documented risks to ecosystems and human health. Although previous reviews have addressed heavy metal contamination near smelters and pollution indices as assessment tools, no review has specifically mapped environmental assessment methods for Pb–Zn slag-contaminated soils, and evidence from Central Asia remains absent. This scoping review, following PRISMA-ScR 2018 guidelines, maps the global evidence base on soil contamination from Pb–Zn slag and associated assessment methods. Searches across Dimensions, PubMed, and OpenAlex identified 410 records; 56 studies (2010–2025) met the inclusion criteria. Studies were concentrated in China (35.7%), Poland (8.9%), and Brazil (7.1%); no studies from Kazakhstan were identified despite major Pb–Zn smelting operations in the Shymkent region. All studies reported heavy metal concentrations exceeding regulatory thresholds, with cadmium as the primary ecological risk driver and lead posing the greatest health risk to children. Assessment methods included pollution indices (73.2%), ecological risk assessment (67.9%), GIS-based spatial analysis (57.1%), human health risk frameworks (51.8%), and source apportionment models (50.0%). Post-2018 studies increasingly applied integrated multi-method frameworks. Critical gaps include the absence of Central Asian research, limited predictive modeling, and a lack of standardized protocols. Findings provide a structured evidence map to guide environmental monitoring and remediation at slag-contaminated sites globally. Full article

Arsenic contamination, mainly in the arsenate (As(V)) form, continues to pose a serious threat to groundwater quality worldwide due to its long-term stability and toxicity at very low levels. Herein, we demonstrate, for the first time, a three-dimensional graphene oxide-based nanocomposite composed of Cu nanoparticle-doped, amino-functionalized UiO-66 (Cu/UiO-66-NH₂) anchored on a graphene oxide framework (Cu/UiO-66-NH₂@GO) as a novel and efficient nanosorbent for the rapid removal of As(V) in groundwater-like solutions. The nanocomposite was characterized by SEM and HRTEM to confirm the hybrid structure and by XRD, N₂ adsorption–desorption isotherms, and XPS to investigate crystallinity, porosity, and surface chemistry. The derived material exhibited a highly dispersed morphology and performed rapid arsenate solid-phase extraction to attain equilibration within 10 min and was effective for a wide pH range of 2–11. The best fit for the kinetic profiles was provided by the pseudo-second-order model. Interestingly, the maximum adsorption capacity of 747.9 mg g⁻¹ at pH 6.8 was achieved, demonstrating the benefits of the complementary pairing of dispersive GO sheets and Zr-MOF adsorption domains with Cu-derived active sites. Mechanistically, the enhanced uptake is ascribed to a combination of effects, including electrostatic pre-concentration, ligand exchange, and inner-sphere complexation at metal-oxo nodes; spectroscopic analysis (XPS and FTIR) suggests that the majority of arsenate is immobilized via a strong Zr-O-As bond at coordinatively unsaturated Zr centers, which is in line with t-ZrO₂-like surface domains formed within the nanocomposite. The embedded GO support inhibits further framework interpenetration and enhances active site availability and mass transport, leading to fast and high-capacity arsenate capture in groundwater samples with related conditions. Taken together, this work presents a powerful design concept that integrates unique GO-supported, Cu-modified UiO-66-NH₂ with Zr-O binding motifs to afford high-rate remediation nanocomposites, providing an excellent platform for next-generation arsenate remediation materials. Full article

Arsenic (As)-enriched soils in abandoned mining areas pose persistent environmental risks, yet the temporal evolution of remediation is rarely evaluated. In this study, a two-year field monitoring program was conducted at a severely As-contaminated abandoned gold mine in Guangdong Province, China, to examine the temporal dynamics of soil properties and As behavior under different remediation strategies. Three representative slopes were investigated: slope A (slope reshaping and revegetation), slope B (terraced engineering interception), and slope C (an area influenced by acidic water bodies). The results showed that both total and available As at slopes A and B exhibited a similar pattern of initial increase followed by decline and stabilization, indicating a clear temporal scale for remediation effects. Slope A exhibited greater spatial variability, whereas slope B showed relatively minor fluctuations, suggesting that terraced engineering measures contributed to enhanced As stability. In contrast, slope C had lower total As but a higher proportion of available As prior to remediation due to the acidic conditions. Following remediation, both total and available As at slope C decreased markedly and remained stable for about six months; however, a rebound trend was observed after approximately 1.5 years, indicating the time-limited effectiveness of passivation treatments. Specifically, total As at slope C decreased from 22,916 to 4011 mg·kg⁻¹, accompanied by a 65–85% reduction in available As. Meanwhile, soil pH, soil organic matter, and cation exchange capacity exhibited pronounced non-linear variations, with an overall tendency to recover toward pre-remediation conditions. These findings underscore the importance of long-term monitoring for evaluating remediation effectiveness and periodic assessments (e.g., semiannual monitoring of soil As and nutrient status) to support adaptive environmental management and optimization of remediation strategies. Full article

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)-contaminated soils are often concomitantly polluted with heavy metals, which form combined contamination through cation–π interactions and other mechanisms. However, the mechanism by which bacteria degrade PAHs under combined pollution conditions remains insufficiently studied. In this study, a benzo[a]pyrene (BaP)-degrading bacterial strain, Rhodococcus sp. PDS1, was isolated from the co-contaminated soil of an abandoned coking plant in a steel factory. This strain can not only detoxify arsenic via reductive transformation, but also mediate extracellular arsenic oxidation and efficiently degrade BaP, a high-molecular-weight (HMW) polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon with low bioavailability and high toxicity. Response surface methodology (RSM) experiments were conducted to optimize the degrading conditions of strain PDS1, considering four factors: pH, temperature, BaP concentration, and trivalent arsenic As(III) concentration. The results showed that the BaP removal by PDS1 would reach 93.59% under the RSM-obtained optimal conditions: pH 7.7, BaP concentration 8.96 mg/L, As(III) concentration 0.82 mM, and culture temperature 36.0 °C. The transcriptome of the strain under the combined stress of arsenic and BaP was further analyzed. The results indicated that the introduction of arsenic induced the upregulated expression of different genes in the arsenic detoxification ars operon and the pcaH/G gene (encoding protocatechuate 3,4-dioxygenase, a key enzyme in BaP degradation) to varying degrees. These findings clarify the mechanism of the degradation of HMW-PAHs such as BaP by strain PDS1 under PAHs–arsenic combined pollution, lay a solid theoretical foundation for subsequent practical applications, and demonstrate the broad prospects of strain PDS1 in the remediation of actual complex contaminated soils. Full article

The cocontamination of arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd) in agricultural soils poses severe risks to ecosystem stability and food safety because of their high toxicity, mobility, and bioaccumulation potential. However, single amendments often exhibit selective immobilization, which limits their effectiveness for As–Cd-cocontaminated soils. In this study, a sepiolite-supported nanoscale zero-valent iron composite (S-nZVI) was synthesized via liquid-phase reduction, and its remediation performance and mechanisms under different moisture conditions were evaluated. The characterization results confirmed that the nZVI nanoparticles were uniformly dispersed and anchored onto the sepiolite matrix, thus mitigating aggregation and oxidative passivation while increasing surface reactivity. Soil incubation experiments demonstrated that S-nZVI reduced the bioavailability of As and Cd and promoted their transformation from labile to stable fractions under both 50% and 120% water holding capacity (WHC). Under flooded conditions (120% WHC), 0.5% S-nZVI reduced the bioavailable Cd and As concentrations by 52.3–58.7% and 67.4%, respectively, after 120 days. Mechanistically, immobilization was governed by a synergistic “adsorption–reduction–coprecipitation” pathway coupled with pH–Eh regulation. Rice pot experiments further validated the effectiveness of S-nZVI, with the grain As and Cd concentrations reduced by 73.3% and 52.3%, respectively, without impairing plant growth. Overall, S-nZVI provides an efficient strategy for simultaneous immobilization of As and Cd in As–Cd-cocontaminated soils and supports the safe use of polluted agricultural lands. Full article

Phytoremediation is a prevalent approach for addressing remediation and production goals in polluted agricultural land. In this study, we examined the impact of four distinct planting ratios on crop growth, accumulation of arsenic (As), and rhizosphere soil dynamics of peanut and maize. The results revealed that intercropping significantly reduced grain As accumulation (42.11–63.16% in maize; 62.28% in peanut under the 1:2 ratio, T2), achieving compliance with Chinese food safety standards (GB 2762-2017, 0.05 mg kg⁻¹). Meanwhile, the T2 treatment exhibited a significantly higher As bioconcentration factor (BCF) and the lowest translocation factor (TF). The metal removal equivalent ratio (MRER) under different planting systems was 1.09, 2.41, 1.07, and 1.46. Additionally, while intercropping did not increase grain biomass per plant, the LER values > 1 for T1 (1.88) and T2 (1.25) demonstrated that complementary resource use enhanced total productivity. Intercropping treatments significantly affected soil properties in both maize and peanut rhizospheres. For maize, intercropping lowered soil pH and available As content but increased dissolved organic carbon (DOC). Notably, only the T1 treatment significantly reduced the cation exchange capacity (CEC) of maize soil. Peanut’s rhizosphere experienced increases in both pH and CEC due to intercropping, with only the T2 treatment yielding a slight rise in DOC. The findings suggest that the maize–peanut intercropping system, especially the T2 system, effectively alters the soil–plant interface to limit As uptake while maintaining productivity, demonstrating its promise for safe utilization of As-contaminated land. Full article

Arsenic (As) pollution has become a global concern, and the search for effective and sustainable As remediation methods has attracted much attention. Sustainable and cost-effective technologies for As remediation are essential to protect public health. This study aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), by transforming agricultural waste into value-added biochar for environmental remediation. Currently, studies on the remediation of As pollution using iron-modified biochar (Fe-BC) and cerium-modified biochar (Ce-BC) have demonstrated promising application potential. Although there is an established research foundation regarding their remediation performance and mechanisms, comparative studies evaluating their performance and mechanisms under unified experimental conditions remain limited. As in this study, Fe-BC and Ce-BC were prepared and systematically investigated. The As remediation performance and mechanisms of the two biochars were compared and analyzed through material characterization, aqueous adsorption experiments, and soil remediation assessments. The results showed that the specific surface areas of Fe-BC and Ce-BC were 94.380 m²·g⁻¹ and 36.388 m²·g⁻¹, respectively, both higher than that of the original biochar (BC). The Langmuir and Freundlich models adequately fitted the As adsorption processes of all three materials. Fe-BC and Ce-BC exhibited a tendency toward monolayer adsorption for As(III). The Freundlich distribution coefficient K_F of Fe-BC was 0.1604, which was higher than that of BC and Ce-BC, indicating superior adsorption performance for As(III). In the pot experiment, when Fe-BC and Ce-BC were applied at 5%, the As content in ryegrass decreased by 78.38% and 77.15%, respectively. Fe-BC reduced the available As content in soil by 63.1% and decreased As accumulation in ryegrass by 78.38%. The reduction in available As content achieved by Fe-BC was greater than that achieved by Ce-BC. Fe(III) oxides supported on Fe-BC immobilized As through complexation and precipitation mechanisms. Fe⁰ and Fe₃O₄ in the materials altered the redox potential of the local microenvironment, affecting the transformation and stabilization of As species. Ce-BC primarily oxidized As(III) to As(V), and Ce⁴⁺ facilitated the formation of CeAsO₄ precipitates due to its high redox potential. Full article

Soil heavy metal pollution caused by mineral resource extraction activities poses a serious threat to the ecological environment within and surrounding mining areas. As a highly concealed toxic heavy metal, arsenic (As) urgently requires the establishment of efficient pollution monitoring methods to achieve pollution prevention and control, as well as environmental remediation in mining areas. This study investigated the feasibility of hyperspectral remote sensing inversion for soil heavy metal arsenic based on ZY-1 02E hyperspectral satellite imagery, focusing on a mining area and its surrounding soils in Sanlisha’an, Wuxuan County, Guangxi. Full Constrained Least Squares (FCLS) was employed to separate mixed pixels and enhance soil spectral contributions in ZY-1 02E imagery, thereby mitigating vegetation interference. Six mathematical transformations, including RT, AT, FD, RTFD, ATFD, and SD, were applied to both the original and enhanced spectra to enhance spectral features. The correlations between the transformed spectra, as well as the original image spectra (S), and soil As concentration were analyzed; then the spectra strongly correlated with soil As concentration were selected to construct Ratio Spectral Index (RSI) and Normalized Difference Spectral Index (NDSI). Correlation matrices were calculated between RSI/NDSI indices and As concentration. Sensitive features were screened using an improved Successive Projection Algorithm (SPA). As concentration inversion was also performed with four models: traditional regression models, PLSR and MLR, and ensemble learning models (RF and XGBoost). In the soil contribution-enhanced spectral modeling results, the optimal transformation–index combination is ATFD-NDSI. The performance indicators of each model are as follows: MLR test set R² = 0.65, PLSR test set R² = 0.62, RF test set R² = 0.7, and XGBoost test set R² = 0.64. The results indicate that the ATFD-NDSI-RF ensemble model provides the best performance. By integrating multiple decision trees, RF effectively handles complex nonlinear relationships, thus enhancing the accuracy and generalization ability of predication. The analysis of NDSI–ATFD–RF inversion results based on sampling points indicates that model error correlates with the pollution intensity gradient, showing greater errors, especially in high-concentration areas, but still maintaining strong correlations (tailings reservoir: r = 0.92, forested areas: r = 0.96, and cropland: r = 0.83). The spatial distribution reveals that the inversion results are closely similar to the spatial distribution of IDW interpolation. Areas with high As concentrations are concentrated in the tailings reservoir and in the southeastern part of the study area. The correlation coefficient between the inversion results and IDW interpolation is 0.6, which further verifies that the inversion results effectively reproduce the spatial distribution trend of highly polluted areas. Full article