Heavy metal pollution and potential ecological risk in reclaimed soils in Huainan mining area

In order to determine the environmental quality condition of reclaimed soils in Huainan mining area, soil samples were collected from three representative mines, such as Panyi Mine, Xinzhuangzi Mine and Datong Mine. The total concentration of Cd, Hg, Cu, Pb and As in the samples were analyzed. The potential ecological risk was used to evaluate the heavy metals pollution. The investigation reveals that the reclaimed soils are contaminated to a certain degree and the trace elements in coal gangue transferred to the surface soil. The order of potential ecological risk is Cd>Hg>Cu>Pb>As; the pollution degree of each sampling site is arranged in the following order: Xinzhuangzi Mine> Datong Mine>Panyi Mine, and the multiform of heavy metals of potential ecological risk index is at 357.35～484.62.