Environmental Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals by Exploring Chemical Fractions, Leachability, Bioavailability in Road Dusts from Steel-Industrial City (Anshan), Northeastern China

Abstract This study evaluated chemical fractions, potential leachability, and bio-accessibility of heavy metals (Cr, Cu, Cd, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in road dusts from the steel-industrial city (Anshan), Northeastern China. Chemical fractions of heavy metals were determined using Tessier sequential extraction method. The environmental risk assessment was evaluated using short-term extraction tests: TCLP, PBET, and CaCl2. Sequential extraction analysis reveals that Cr and Ni primarily existed in residual form. The non-residual fraction of heavy metals decreased in the order of Zn (average 57.78%)> Cu (39.16%)> Pb (30.73%)≈ Cd (30.67%)> Ni (19.06 %)> Cr (8.7%%). The results showed that Cd, Cu, Zn and Pb, which were extremely concentrated in potentially mobile fractions, had highly potential environmental risks. The mobility of Cd and Zn was usually higher than those of Cr, Cu, Pb and Ni, which means that Cd and Zn have higher hazardous to ecosystem. The order of bioavailability identified by PBET method was generally Zn>Cd>Pb>Ni>Cu>Cr. There was a significantly relationship between PBET, TCLP-test and bioavailable parts (F1+F2+F3+F4, SUM4) of sequential extraction, respectively. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that toxicity and bioavailability of heavy metals were not only depended on RDs properties, but also lied on the total heavy metals.