Spatial distribution of chromium in soils contaminated by chromium-containing slag

To evaluate the metal chromium (Cr) contamination of soil at a chromium-containing slag site by ferrochromium production, the contaminated sites, under slag heap, in the vicinity of slag heap and arable soils near the outlet of sewer channel, and unpolluted site 5 km away from one ferroalloy plant in Hunan Province, China, were selected. The concentrations of total Cr and water soluble Cr in bulk soil samples and profile depth samples were determined. The results show that the soils in the vicinity of slag heap have the highest total Cr content followed by the soils under the slag heap and near the outlet of sewer channel of the factory. The mean concentrations of total Cr in the top soils at above three contaminated locations exceed the critical level of Secondary Environmental Quality Standard for Soil in China by 3.5, 5.4 and 1.8 times. In most Cr polluted soils, total Cr has a relative accumulation in soil depth of 40–60 cm, but this trend is not found in unpolluted soils. The average concentrations of water soluble Cr (VI) in top soils under slag heap and in the vicinity of slag heap are 176.9 times and 52.7 times higher than that in the uncontaminated soils, respectively. However, water soluble Cr (VI) contents in soils near sewer channel are all low and the values are close to that in the uncontaminated soils. Although water soluble Cr (VI) content in soil profiles decreases with soil depths, it in soils under slag heap maintains a high level even at a depth of 100–150 cm. The results imply that the transportation of Cr (VI) can result in a potential risk of groundwater system in this area.