Wang, N. ， Liu, Z. ， Luo, Y. H. ， Meng, T. ， Chen, W.
2025 APPLIED ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2025 23(卷), 5(期), (9591-9602页)
This study investigates soil reclamation and contamination at coal gangue dumps in China's Loess Plateau. Soil samples from dump sites and adjacent areas (50 m radius) revealed sandy textures (mean sand:75.5%, silt:14.2%, clay:10.39%). Compared to controls, sand content decreased by 5.6% at dumps and 3.3% at 50 m. Soils were acidic with elevated electrical conductivity (dump mean EC:332 mu S/cm; 50 m:294 mu S/cm) and low organic carbon. Critical heavy metal contamination was observed: average Cd and Zn concentrations exceeded both risk screening and control values (GB 15618-2018), while Pb surpassed screening values (1.06x) but not control thresholds. Heavy metal distribution followed Fe > Mn > Zn > Pb > Cd. Significant positive correlations (Cd-Pb-Zn) indicated homogeneous pollution sources. Findings demonstrate gangue-induced soil degradation and compound heavy metal contamination, necessitating targeted remediation strategies.