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Phosphatic rock weathering and agricultural activities driving the dynamics of potentially toxic elements in surface soil of weathered zone

agricultural-science
soil-science
environmental-contamination-and-remediation
environmental-impacts

Abstract

The weathering of phosphatic rock and agricultural activities could result in the pollution of potentially toxic elements (PTE) within the phosphoric zone. However, the migration and enrichment behavior of PTE during weathering in the phosphoric zone, and the impact of agricultural activities on PTE, remained unclear. Therefore, the natural weathering profile and farmland soil in a typical phosphoric zone were selected as the subjects for investigating the behavior characteristics of PTE during weathering, as well as PTE bioavailability and sources in surface soil under the influence of agricultural activities. The investigation into natural weathered profiles demonstrated that the weathering of phosphatic rock could generate a significant geological background of Cd, Pb, and Hg due to their geochemical fractions in minerals. The agricultural activities exacerbated the pollution and bioavailability of PTE, particularly Pb, Cu, and Zn. The correlation analysis indicated that iron oxide was the predominant controlling factor for the bioavailability of PTE in farmland soil. The results of sources based on Pb isotope and positive matrix factorization (PMF) model suggested that the presence of Cd and Pb in farmland soil was mainly caused by pesticide use and fertilization, respectively. The study revealed that the severe pollution of PTE in the phosphoric zone was primarily attributed to the synergistic effects of weathering of phosphatic rocks and agricultural activities. This research served as a valuable reference for the prevention and control of PTE in the phosphoric zone.
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