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Liu X, Dong Z, Wei T, Wang L, Gao W, Jiao X, Li F. Composition, distribution, and risk assessment of heavy metals in large-scale river water on the Tibetan Plateau. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 476:135094. [PMID: 38981232 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.135094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2024] [Revised: 06/30/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
Heavy metals present in aquatic ecosystems constitute a significant threat to both the environment and human health. In this study, we analyzed various heavy metals (As, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Mo, Cd, Pb and Sb) using extensive surface water samples collected from the Tibetan Plateau in 2021 and 2023. Results showed that downstream water samples exhibited higher content (mean 12.6 μg/L) of heavy metals compared to those from the glacier basins. It is noteworthy that heavy metal content varied significantly both in the glacier basin and downstream (4.6-29.1 μg/L and 7.8-55.2 μg/L, respectively). However, elevated concentrations at certain sites (e.g., Saga County and Dangque Zangbu River) were primarily attributed to the disproportionate contribution of individual heavy metals, possibly stemming from specific human activities or natural conditions. In the glacier basin, only Cr exhibited a decreasing trend in enrich factors (EF) with increasing Sc concentration, whereas, in the downstream areas, most elements displayed a declining trend. Furthermore, apart from a few sampling sites, heavy metal concentrations in the glacier basin remained relatively balanced, suggesting that these metals predominantly originate from natural sources. The values of potential ecological risk for an individual element (Eri) and potential ecological risk index (PER) indicate that the ecological and human risks associated with almost heavy metals (except As) in the aquatic ecosystem are minimal. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATION: Heavy metals in aquatic ecosystems pose a significant threat to ecological and human health. Due to delicate ecological balance of the Tibetan Plateau and its critical role as a water resource, we analyzed various heavy metals (As, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Mo, Cd, Pb and Sb) concentrations and EF in land surface river water, to find out the pollution levels and possible sources of heavy metals in the aquatic ecosystems. The results of risk assessment showed that the prevention and management of arsenic in Tibetan Plateau needs attention, but most heavy metals pose no threaten to ecological and human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoli Liu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Regional Ecology and Environmental Change, School of Geography and Information Engineering, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China; College of Geography and Environmental Science, National Demonstration Center for Experimental Environment and Planning Education, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, Henan, China
| | - Zhiwen Dong
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Regional Ecology and Environmental Change, School of Geography and Information Engineering, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China.
| | - Ting Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Cryosphere Sciences, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Lunche Wang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Regional Ecology and Environmental Change, School of Geography and Information Engineering, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Wenhua Gao
- College of Geography and Environmental Science, National Demonstration Center for Experimental Environment and Planning Education, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, Henan, China
| | - Xiaoyu Jiao
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Regional Ecology and Environmental Change, School of Geography and Information Engineering, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China; State Key Laboratory of Cryosphere Sciences, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Fangzhou Li
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100049, China
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Mingyue L, Xuejun S, Shengnan L, Jie W, Zijian L, Qianggong Z. Hydrochemistry dynamics in a glacierized headwater catchment of Lhasa River, Tibetan Plateau. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 919:170810. [PMID: 38336076 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Mountain glaciers are essential for supplying water resources that sustain downstream communities and livelihoods, yet the hydrogeochemical dynamics at glacier terminals and the impact of glacier retreat on downstream water chemistry are not fully understood. This study addresses this by conducting comprehensive observations and analysis of water chemistry at refined spatial and temporal resolutions in the Lhasa River Valley Glacier No. 1 (LRVG-1) catchment, a vital source of drinking and irrigation water for the local population on the Tibetan Plateau. Our findings reveal a weakly alkaline water environment within this glacierized basin, with HCO3- and Ca2+ as the dominant anions and cations, respectively, resulting in a hydrochemical pattern classified as HCO3--Ca2+ type. Solute concentrations increase along the glacier meltwater pathway, influenced by water-rock interaction, dilution, and diverse sources. The cations are predominantly from carbonate weathering, constituting 72.86 % of the total cations, followed by sulfide oxidation (11.08 %), glacier meltwater inputs (8.13 %), and silicate weathering (7.93 %). The contribution of cations from glacier meltwater diminishes as they travel along the glacier meltwater flow pathway. Our study indicates the localized yet significant impact of glacier meltwater on hydrochemistry, particularly in the vicinity of the glacier terminus. We recommend considering glacial meltwater and the entire glacier watershed as a continuum, essential for understanding the cumulative effects of glacier melt and human activities on water quality. This perspective is crucial for predicting future river chemistry trajectories in high-mountain basins and informing policy-making for water quality conservation across the Tibetan Plateau.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Mingyue
- State Key Laboratory of Tibetan Plateau Earth System, Environment and Resources (TPESER), Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Sun Xuejun
- School of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Li Shengnan
- State Key Laboratory of Tibetan Plateau Earth System, Environment and Resources (TPESER), Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Wang Jie
- State Key Laboratory of Tibetan Plateau Earth System, Environment and Resources (TPESER), Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Lu Zijian
- State Key Laboratory of Tibetan Plateau Earth System, Environment and Resources (TPESER), Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhang Qianggong
- State Key Laboratory of Tibetan Plateau Earth System, Environment and Resources (TPESER), Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Lhasa Earth System Multi-Dimension Observatory Network (LEMON), Lhasa 850000, China.
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Liu X, Gao W, Wei T, Dong Z, Ren J, Shao Y, Chen X. Distribution and source of heavy metals in Tibetan Plateau topsoil: New insight into the influence of long-range transported sources to the surrounding glaciers. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 346:123498. [PMID: 38342433 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/13/2024]
Abstract
Heavy metals present a substantial threat to both the environment and human health. Considering the delicate ecological equilibrium of the Tibetan Plateau (TP) and its heightened susceptibility to anthropogenic impacts, scholarly attention has progressively turned toward the examination of heavy metal pollution within the plateau's environment. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of various heavy metals (As, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Mo, Cd, Pb, and Sb), utilizing topsoil samples collected from the TP during the period of 2018-2021. Additionally, snow and cryoconite samples obtained from TP glaciers during the same timeframe were also subjected to analysis. The results indicate elevated concentrations of total heavy metals in the eastern and western TP (328.7 μg/g), as opposed to the central and southern TP (145.7 μg/g). Most heavy metals exhibit a consistent spatial distribution pattern. High Enrichment Factors (EFs) and Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo) values for As and Cd suggest their enrichment in TP topsoil. Receptor modeling identified three primary sources of heavy metals within the topsoil: industrial sources (42.3%), inherent natural sources within the surface soil (20.6%), and vehicular emissions (14.2%). Substantial differences in heavy metal concentrations and spatial distribution were observed between the topsoil and the glacial snow-cryoconite matrix. The prominent presence of Sb in the snow-cryoconite matrix, in contrast to its low abundance in the topsoil, indicates distinct source influences of long-range transported materials between the two environments. Our inference suggests that the influence of heavy metals from distant pollutants undergo mixing and dilution in the topsoil due to the presence of local indigenous heavy metals, although such influence is notably observed on the glacier surface of the TP. Consequently, this underscores the significant impact of long-range transported sources on heavy metals, surpassing the influence of local TP soils, to the alpine glaciers and even other atmospheric sediments in Tibetan Plateau.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoli Liu
- College of Geography and Environmental Science, National Demonstration Center for Experimental Environment and Planning Education, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, Henan, China; State Key Laboratory of Cryosphere Sciences, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Wenhua Gao
- College of Geography and Environmental Science, National Demonstration Center for Experimental Environment and Planning Education, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, Henan, China.
| | - Ting Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Cryosphere Sciences, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Zhiwen Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Cryosphere Sciences, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Jiawen Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Cryosphere Sciences, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Yaping Shao
- Institute of Geophysics and Meteorology, University of Cologne, Germany
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Wu R, Dong Z, Wei T, Cheng X, Jiao X, Shao Y. Comparison on distribution and sources of typical major and toxic trace elements in various glacial watersheds of the northeast Tibetan Plateau. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2023; 263:115271. [PMID: 37473703 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
Toxic and major elements, such as As and Fe, in watersheds can significantly impact the surrounding water environment and ecosystem. Thus, in this study, we conducted an investigation into the origins and spatial distribution of typical toxic trace elements (As and Mn) and crustal major elements (Al, Fe, and Ti) in suspended particulate matter (SPM) across various glacial watersheds located at different elevations in the northeastern Tibetan Plateau (NETP) from June to July in 2017. The results revealed that the mean value of each element followed the order of abundance in the samples, with Al having the highest mean value at 21307 µg/L, followed by Fe at 13366 µg/L, Ti at 1520 µg/L, Mn at 245 µg/L, and As at 66.6 µg/L. Moreover, our study identified high content of these elements from the Dabanshan Snowpack, Laohugou Glacier No.12, and Yuzhufeng Glacier in the upper reaches of the basin, which were found to be 9.9, 10.2, and 19.4 times higher, respectively, than that of the upper reaches of the Heihe River. We found that As and Mn exhibited clear indications of anthropogenic influence on a local and regional scale. The calculated enrichment factor (EF) demonstrated a significant As enrichment (EF>100) in the Qiyi and Lenglongling Glaciers, possibly resulting in the release of upstream glacier melt and anthropogenic-derived As deposition. Our findings suggested that the upstream region was primarily linked to glacier meltwater discharge. In contrast, the middle and lower reaches of the basin exhibited a more pronounced influence from local human activities. Based on the findings, the water environment of the glacier watershed appears to be in good condition overall. However, the presence of elevated levels of As element in the water system can be traced back to both anthropogenic and natural factors. As a result, ensuring the safety of the water supply for nearby residents is a matter of utmost concern. This study provides a comprehensive examination of hydrochemical variations and the overall water environment of high-altitude glacier basins in the NETP, offering valuable insights into the topic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Cryosphere Sciences /Northwest Institute of Eco, Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China; School of Geography and Ecotourism, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China
| | - Zhiwen Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Cryosphere Sciences /Northwest Institute of Eco, Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China.
| | - Ting Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Cryosphere Sciences /Northwest Institute of Eco, Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Xiping Cheng
- School of Geography and Ecotourism, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China; Southwest Research Center of Ecological Civilization (State Forestry and Grassland Administration), Kunming 650224, China.
| | - Xiaoyu Jiao
- State Key Laboratory of Cryosphere Sciences /Northwest Institute of Eco, Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Yaping Shao
- Institute for Geophysics and Meteorology, University of Cologne, Cologne D-50923, Germany
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Huang J, Wu G, Gu F, Yu Z, An B. Elemental composition of the topsoil fine fraction at and around the Tibetan plateau. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 320:121098. [PMID: 36657514 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The <20 μm fractions of crusted topsoils on and around the Tibetan Plateau (TP) were analyzed to take a broad view of the composition of major elements (MEs, Al, Fe, and Mn) and twelve trace elements (TEs, As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Sr, U, V, and Zn) and provide a crustal reference for environmental quality evaluation. The concentrations of most elements were generally higher in the Yarlung Zangbo River watershed (YZRW) and Pamirs but lower in the central Tibetan Plateau (CTP), Qaidam Basin (QB), and Tarim Basin (TB) due to the natural geochemical process. The concentrations of most elements in the five regions were higher than those of the upper continental crust (UCC), which was mainly affected by two natural factors. One was that the wide distribution of shale, schist, and phyllite on the TP led to the high concentrations of As and Cr. The other was that the concentrations of most elements in the <20 μm fractions of crusted topsoils were affected by particle sorting. Cu, Cd, As, and Pb in a few sites of the YZRW were influenced by local traffic emissions, mining operations, and increasing fossil fuel combustion over the past three decades (i.e., the 1980s-2010s). Furthermore, the values of crust‒referenced enrichment factor (EFucc) of most TEs (except Ba and Sr) in different environmental media with a high proportion of fine particles, such as aerosols, snow and ice cores, and river and lake sediments were generally 1.2-24.2 times greater than the values of fine fraction (<20 μm)‒referenced enrichment factor (EF < 20 μm), suggesting that the degree of anthropogenic effects on the TP environment should be overestimated in previous assessments using the UCC as the reference.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ju Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Tibetan Plateau Earth System, Environment and Resources (TPESER), Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101408, China
| | - Guangjian Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Tibetan Plateau Earth System, Environment and Resources (TPESER), Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
| | - Fei Gu
- College of Tourism Management, Xinyang Agriculture and Forestry University, Xinyang, 464000, China
| | - Zhengliang Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Tibetan Plateau Earth System, Environment and Resources (TPESER), Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Baosheng An
- State Key Laboratory of Tibetan Plateau Earth System, Environment and Resources (TPESER), Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China; School of Science, Tibet University, Lhasa, 850011, China
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Jiao X, Dong Z, Baccolo G, Li F, Wei T, Li J, Qin X. Insights on the distribution and environmental implications of the radio-isotope 235U in surface soils and glaciers of the Tibetan Plateau. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 317:120824. [PMID: 36493938 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Atom ratio between 235U and 238U is often used as an indicator of U contamination as the isotopic signature of products generated by the nuclear and military industry significantly vary from the natural isotopic ratio of U. In this study, surface soils and glaciers samples were collected in the Tibetan Plateau (TP) and its surrounding areas and analyzed for U isotopic composition. Results show that the 235U/238U atom ratios in the surface soils of the TP ranges from 0.007122 to 0.007615, with an average value of 0.007378 ± 0.00011; while in the snow/ice dust from high-altitude glaciers it ranges from 0.007254 to 0.007687, with an average value of 0.007345 ± 0.000128. These ratios are slightly higher than the typical crustal value, indicating that the TP was affected by an anthropogenic input of 235U, especially in its northeast and southwest sectors. The variability of our results suggests that the spatial distribution of this contamination is not uniform, pointing to differences in the potential sources and transmission paths of radioactive particles. Combining the knowledge of past tests and activities conducted in the geographic areas around the TP with the knowledge of prevailing winds, we hypothesize that the observed 235U contamination in the TP surface soils and glaciers may have originated mainly from the previous nuclear related activities in surrounding areas (e.g., north Gobi Desert and South Asia). In addition, the horizontal and vertical wind field around the Tibetan Plateau, as well as the atmospheric aerosol optical thickness data also demonstrated the possible transport paths of the radionuclides, that is, originated from in northern Gobi desert and South Asia and reached the TP crossing the Himalayas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyu Jiao
- State Key Laboratory of Cryosphere Sciences, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Zhiwen Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Cryosphere Sciences, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
| | - Giovanni Baccolo
- Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry, Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen, Switzerland
| | - Fangzhou Li
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Ting Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Cryosphere Sciences, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Jing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cryosphere Sciences, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Xiang Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Cryosphere Sciences, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China; Qilian Mountain Glacier and Ecological Environment Research Station, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China
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Jiao X, Dong Z, Kang S, Li Y, Jiang C, Rostami M. New insights into heavy metal elements deposition in the snowpacks of mountain glaciers in the eastern Tibetan Plateau. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2021; 207:111228. [PMID: 32890952 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.111228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2020] [Revised: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/23/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Atmospheric heavy metals have important environmental and health threats. To investigate atmospheric deposition and contamination of heavy metal elements in the glaciers of the eastern Tibetan Plateau (ETP), we collected the surface snow (cryoconites) samples in the Lenglongling Glacier (LG), the Gannan Snowpack (GS), the Dagu Glacier (DG), the Hailuogou Glacier (HG) and Yulong Snow-mountain Glacier (YG) in summer 2017. Samples were analyzed for concentrations and enrichment factors (EFs) of Al and trace elements (Pb, Co, Cd, Ba, Mn, Ga, Sc, V, Zn, Cr, Ni, Cu, Rb, Sb, Cs, As, Mo, Li) using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Results showed that the concentrations and EFs of heavy metals (e.g. Sb, Cu, Cr, Ni, As, Mo) were generally high value in YG, GS and LG, while were relatively low value in DG and HG, implying that ETP glaciers may have been affected by atmospheric anthropogenic pollutants deposition to varying degrees. Comparing the heavy metal concentrations in the glaciers with those in the precipitation of middle/eastern China cities and also the South Asian cities, we find that the glacial heavy metal concentrations were generally low level, though the anthropogenic pollutants were still significantly enriched. Taking the spatial distribution of As and Ni concentration/EFs in the glaciers and surrounding urban precipitation as an example, we find that the heavy metal pollutants were probably transported to the glaciers through three routes from the surrounding densely populated area of Asia. The MODIS AOD and NCEP/NCAR wind vector also demonstrated that the atmospheric pollutants originated from anthropogenic emissions of urban areas of both South Asia, and northwest and east China, mainly caused by the large scale atmospheric circulation (e.g. the South Asian Monsoon, westerlies and Eastern Asian Summer Monsoon). Therefore, control of these potential pollution emission sources of the surrounding densely populated areas in Asia could be important to ETP glaciers in future perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyu Jiao
- State Key Laboratory of Cryosphere Sciences, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Lanzhou, 730000, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Zhiwen Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Cryosphere Sciences, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Lanzhou, 730000, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Tibetan Plateau Earth Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, 100101, China.
| | - Shichang Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Cryosphere Sciences, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Lanzhou, 730000, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Tibetan Plateau Earth Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Yifan Li
- Institute for Geophysics and Meteorology, University of Cologne, Cologne, D-50923, Germany
| | - Cong Jiang
- Institute for Geophysics and Meteorology, University of Cologne, Cologne, D-50923, Germany
| | - Masoud Rostami
- Institute for Geophysics and Meteorology, University of Cologne, Cologne, D-50923, Germany
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Wei T, Dong Z, Kang S, Zong C, Rostami M, Shao Y. Atmospheric deposition and contamination of trace elements in snowpacks of mountain glaciers in the northeastern Tibetan Plateau. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 689:754-764. [PMID: 31280157 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.06.455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2019] [Revised: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 06/26/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
To investigate the large-scale trace element deposition and anthropogenic pollution in mountain glaciers of the northeastern Tibetan Plateau (TP) and its surrounding regions, we analyzed Al and 13 trace elements (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, V, and Zn) in glacier snowpacks collected at the Yuzhufeng, Laohugou No.12, and Qiyi glaciers (YG, LG12, and QG, respectively) in the northeastern TP as well as in the Miaoergou Glacier (MG) in the eastern Tianshan Mountains in June 2017. The concentrations and enrichment factors (EFs) of most trace elements (e.g., As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Sb) showed that the largest value appeared in the MG, followed by LG12, and the lowest value appeared in the QG, thereby implying a decreasing influence of anthropogenic emissions on these elements from the west (MG) to the east (QG). The YG inversely exhibited high concentrations but low EFs for As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Pb, and Sb. Compared to the surrounding regions of the southern and western TP (e.g., NamCo, Mt. Everest, and Pamirs), Japan, and Kathmandu, the trace element concentrations were relatively higher at the YG and MG but relatively lower at the LG12 and QG. The spatial distribution characteristics of trace elements (e.g., Pb and Sb) exhibited a gradually decreasing concentration from west to east in the Tianshan Mountains, and from south to north in the TP, implying two potential transport routes of atmospheric pollutants from Central and South Asia to the northeastern TP. The Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) backward trajectory model and Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations/Cloud-Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization (CALIPSO/CALIOP) data reflected that these trace elements in the MG, LG12, and QG predominately originated from the western and surrounding areas, whereas in the YG they were mainly derived from a local source and South Asia through long-distance transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Cryosphere Sciences, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Lanzhou 730000, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhiwen Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Cryosphere Sciences, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Lanzhou 730000, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Tibetan Plateau Earth Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100101, China; Institute for Geophysics and Meteorology, University of Cologne, Cologne D-50923, Germany.
| | - Shichang Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Cryosphere Sciences, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Lanzhou 730000, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Tibetan Plateau Earth Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Chunlei Zong
- State Key Laboratory of Continental Dynamics, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, China
| | - Masoud Rostami
- Institute for Geophysics and Meteorology, University of Cologne, Cologne D-50923, Germany
| | - Yaping Shao
- Institute for Geophysics and Meteorology, University of Cologne, Cologne D-50923, Germany
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Kang S, Zhang Q, Qian Y, Ji Z, Li C, Cong Z, Zhang Y, Guo J, Du W, Huang J, You Q, Panday AK, Rupakheti M, Chen D, Gustafsson Ö, Thiemens MH, Qin D. Linking atmospheric pollution to cryospheric change in the Third Pole region: current progress and future prospects. Natl Sci Rev 2019; 6:796-809. [PMID: 34691935 PMCID: PMC8291388 DOI: 10.1093/nsr/nwz031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Revised: 12/05/2018] [Accepted: 03/05/2019] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The Tibetan Plateau and its surroundings are known as the Third Pole (TP). This region is noted for its high rates of glacier melt and the associated hydrological shifts that affect water supplies in Asia. Atmospheric pollutants contribute to climatic and cryospheric changes through their effects on solar radiation and the albedos of snow and ice surfaces; moreover, the behavior and fates within the cryosphere and environmental impacts of environmental pollutants are topics of increasing concern. In this review, we introduce a coordinated monitoring and research framework and network to link atmospheric pollution and cryospheric changes (APCC) within the TP region. We then provide an up-to-date summary of progress and achievements related to the APCC research framework, including aspects of atmospheric pollution's composition and concentration, spatial and temporal variations, trans-boundary transport pathways and mechanisms, and effects on the warming of atmosphere and changing in Indian monsoon, as well as melting of glacier and snow cover. We highlight that exogenous air pollutants can enter into the TP's environments and cause great impacts on regional climatic and environmental changes. At last, we propose future research priorities and map out an extended program at the global scale. The ongoing monitoring activities and research facilitate comprehensive studies of atmosphere-cryosphere interactions, represent one of China's key research expeditions to the TP and the polar regions and contribute to the global perspective of earth system science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shichang Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Cryosphere Science, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Lanzhou 730000, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Tibetan Plateau Earth Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Qianggong Zhang
- CAS Center for Excellence in Tibetan Plateau Earth Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Key Laboratory of Tibetan Environment Changes and Land Surface Processes, Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, CAS, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Yun Qian
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland WA 99352, USA
| | - Zhenming Ji
- School of Atmospheric Sciences, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Climate Change and Natural Disaster Studies, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Chaoliu Li
- CAS Center for Excellence in Tibetan Plateau Earth Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Key Laboratory of Tibetan Environment Changes and Land Surface Processes, Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, CAS, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Zhiyuan Cong
- CAS Center for Excellence in Tibetan Plateau Earth Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Key Laboratory of Tibetan Environment Changes and Land Surface Processes, Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, CAS, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Yulan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Cryosphere Science, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Junming Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Cryosphere Science, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Wentao Du
- State Key Laboratory of Cryosphere Science, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Jie Huang
- CAS Center for Excellence in Tibetan Plateau Earth Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Key Laboratory of Tibetan Environment Changes and Land Surface Processes, Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, CAS, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Qinglong You
- Key Laboratory of Meteorological Disaster, Ministry of Education (KLME), Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology (NUIST), Nanjing 210044, China
| | - Arnico K Panday
- International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), Kathmandu G. P. O. 3226, Nepal
| | - Maheswar Rupakheti
- Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS), Potsdam 14467, Germany
| | - Deliang Chen
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg SE-405 30, Sweden
| | - Örjan Gustafsson
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry, The Bolin Centre for Climate Research, Stockholm University, Stockholm 10691, Sweden
| | - Mark H Thiemens
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla CA 92093, USA
| | - Dahe Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Cryosphere Science, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Lanzhou 730000, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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