Heavy Metal Pollution Characteristics, Ecological Risks and Sources in Soil and Lake Water Around Qinghai Lake

Objective‌ As an important plateau lake ecosystem, the heavy metal pollution of soil and lake water in Qinghai Lake Basin has an important impact on regional ecological environment and biosafety, but the related pollution characteristics and sources are not systematically studied.

Methods In this study, the concentrations of five heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Cr, Pb, Cd) in the soil and lake water of Qinghai Lake Basin were measured, the pollution characteristics and ecological risks were assessed by the local accumulation index method and the potential ecological risk index method, and the pollution sources and clustering characteristics were analyzed by PMF model and SOM method.

Results The results show that the ground accumulation indices of Cu, Zn and Cr are all negative, and they are in a pollution-free state, while Pb and Cd are mildly to moderately polluted.

Conclusion According to the "Surface Water Environmental Quality Standard" (GB3838-2002), the lake water quality is evaluated. Cu, Zn and Cd meet the Class II water standard, and Pb meets the Class V water standard. Soil pollution is mainly influenced by the natural geological background, industrial and agricultural activities.