Review of the Spatial Distribution Source and Extent of Heavy Metal Pollution of Soil in China: Impacts and Mitigation Approaches

摘要

Background.China has undergone a rapid industrial revolution and urbanization during the past three decades. This expansion is largely responsible for the release of a large amount of heavy metals into soils and is increasingly raising concerns over the potential effects on human health and the environment. The problem is drawing increasing attention, especially after an extensive nationwide soil survey report in 2014. A number of studies have examined soil contamination by heavy metals in China. However, most of these studies have been small in scale and it is therefore challenging to get a general overview of the level of contamination across the entire country.