Effects of prevailing winds on spatial distribution of Pb, Cu and Zn in suburban agricultural soils from Changchun, China

The contamination of suburban vegetable soils can affect directly human health and the living quality. In this study an assessment is made to research the impact of prevailing wind on spatial distribution of heavy metals in vegetable field soils from the outskirts of Changchun, China. The study area was divided into four different districts: Southwest(D1), Southeast(D2), Northwest(D3) and Northeast(D4). Total of 50 soil samples were collected to study the accumulation and distribution of Pb, Cu and Zn in D1, D2, D3 and D4. Total Pb, Cu, and Zn concentrations of the urban soils were 31.54 (18.22-46.11), 23.17 (14.48-64.72) and 84.85 (61.20-142.65) mg kg(-1), respectively. On average, the orders of the concentration of heavy metals in four districts were D3 > D2 > D4 > D1 for Pb, D1 > D3 > D4 > D2 for Cu and D3 > D1 > D4 > D2 for Zn, respectively. Kriging was used to produce spatial distribution maps for presenting the effects of prevailing wind on heavy metal contamination visually. The identification of the factors that can influence the spatial distribution of heavy metals in suburban vegetable soils is a basis for undertaking appropriate action to protect soil quality.