Potential hot spots contaminated with exogenous, rare earth elements originating from e-waste dismantling and recycling. (15th September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Siyu; Xiong, Zhunan; Wang, Lingqing; Yang, Xiao; Yan, Xiulan; Li, You; Zhang, Chaosheng; Liang, Tao
• Is Part Of: Environmental pollution. Volume 309(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-09-15
• Subjects: E-waste -- Anthropogenic REE -- Factor contribution -- Hot spot -- Influencing mechanism; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Environmental Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Effets physiologiques -- Périodiques; Pollution; Pollution -- Environmental aspects; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 363.73
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119717
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-7491

Abstract

Abstract: Dismantling and recycling e-waste has been recognized as a potential emission source of rare earth elements (REEs). However, the presence of REEs in typical regional soils has yet to be studied. Given the potential health implications of such soil contamination, it is vital to study the characteristics, spatial distribution, and pollution level of REEs caused by e-waste dismantling as well as determine the influencing mechanism. This study focused on Guiyu Town as an example site, which is a typical e-waste dismantling base. From the site, 39 topsoil samples of different types were collected according to grid distribution points. Soil profiles were also collected in the dismantling and non-dismantling areas. The REE characteristic parameters showed that the REE distribution was abnormal and was affected by multiple factors. The results of the integrated pollution index showed that approximately 61.5% of soil samples were considered to be lightly polluted. Spatial distribution and correlation analysis showed that hot spots of REE-polluted soil coincided with known, main pollution sources. Moreover, there was a significant negative correlation (p ≤0.05) between the REE concentration and the distance from the pollution source. E-waste disassembly and recycling greatly affect the physical and chemical properties of the surrounding soil as well as downward migration areas. In the disassembly area, REE accumulated more easily in the surface layer (0–20 cm). Geographical detector results showed that distance factor was the main contribution factor for both light rare earth elements (LREE) and heavy rare earth element (HREE) (q = 34.59% and 53.33%, respectively). REE distribution in soil was nonlinear enhanced by different factors. Taken together, these results showed that e-waste disassembling and recycling not only directly affected the spatial distribution of REEs, but that their distribution was also affected by land use type and soil properties. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Anthropogenic REEs were reported in soil from e-waste recycling site. Approximately 61.5% of soil samples were considered to be lightly polluted. Contribution of different factors to the accumulation of REEs is nonlinear enhanced. Distance was the main contributing factor for both LREE and HREE accumulation. E-waste disposal indirectly affects REE fractionation by changing soil properties.