Potential ecological risk assessment of heavy metals in reclaimed soils

In order to research the potential pollution characteristics of heavy metals in reclaimed soil and to keep the ecological safety of the reclaimed soil, heavy metal elements Hg, Cd, As, Pb, Cu, Cr were quantitatively analyzed in the reclaimed soils at Antaibao opencast mine. The potential ecological risk and pollution degree of the heavy metals in reclaimed soil were evaluated using Hakanson ecological risk index. The results were summarized as follows: The entire research area was contaminated by Hg and Cu. The degree of contamination ranged from 8.29 to 16.90, with an average of 10.72, which was at medium level. The potential ecological risk index was between 131.43 and 331.03, most of them were at medium level; but the potential ecological risk index in 0～20cm layer of reclaimed soil of Southern 1420 deteriorated platform was 331.03, which was at higher level. The potential ecological risk indexes were at medium level in 0-40cm layer of reclaimed soil with different reclamation year and different reclamation patterns. Hg was the worst of the potential ecological risk genes in reclaimed soil at Antaibao opencast mine. Therefore，some measures should be adopted to control pollution of mercury. The results from this evaluation can be used as a complement reference to other study results.