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ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Spatial Distribution and Sources of Heavy Metals
in Alluvial Soils of a Typical Area
in the Middle Reaches of the Heihe River:
A Case Study of Gaotai County, Zhangye City
1
Environmental Geological Survey Office, Langfang Integrated Natural Resources Survey Center,
China Geological Survey, Langfang 065000, China
2
China University of Geosciences Beijing, Beijing 100000, China
These authors had equal contribution to this work
Submission date: 2025-11-26
Final revision date: 2025-12-29
Acceptance date: 2026-01-27
Online publication date: 2026-04-16
Corresponding author
Yi Liu
Environmental Geological Survey Office, Langfang Integrated Natural Resources Survey Center, China Geological Survey, Langfang 065000, China
Environmental Geological Survey Office, Langfang Integrated Natural Resources Survey Center, China Geological Survey, Langfang 065000, China
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
The oasis agricultural area in the middle reaches of the Heihe River is a crucial grain production
base in Northwest China, and its soil environmental quality is vital for regional ecological security
and sustainable agricultural development. This study selected Gaotai County, characterized by
a typical “two mountains flanking one river” topography in the middle reaches of the Heihe River,
as the research area. Twenty samples were systematically collected from four soil profiles (1 m depth),
and the contents of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn were determined. Comprehensive application
of the Potential Ecological Risk Index (RI), chemical weathering indices (CIA, ba), multivariate
statistical analysis, and geochemical methods revealed the vertical distribution characteristics,
ecological risks, chemical weathering degree, and sources of heavy metals. Results indicated that
the soils were overall at a low ecological risk level (RI < 150). However, Cd and Hg were the primary
contributors to ecological risk, reaching moderate risk levels at multiple sampling points, thus identified
as priority control pollutants. The soils have undergone moderate chemical weathering accompanied
by significant potassium metasomatism. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and correlation analysis
indicated spatial heterogeneity in heavy metal sources: profiles P1-P2 were mainly controlled by natural
parent material and agricultural sources (Cd), whereas sources for profiles P3-P4 were more complex,
primarily a mixture of natural parent material, agricultural sources, and specific industrial/historical
sources (Hg). This study elucidates the distribution patterns and sources of heavy metals in alluvial
soils under the coupling influence of underlying surface topography and intensive agricultural activities, providing a scientific basis for the precise prevention, control, and risk management of soil heavy metals
in the oasis agricultural areas of the Heihe River Basin.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
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