Heavy Metal Pollution Characteristics in the Kaili Coal Mining Region, Guizhou Province, China

The exploitation of coal resources has resulted in a series of ecological and environmental problems. The aim of this study was to determine the pollution characteristics of the river-soil-vegetation system in the Kaili coal mining region. By analysing the heavy metal content of samples from water, soil, and plants along a section of the Chongan River channel downstream from the coal mining region, this research shows that a number of wastewater quality indices have already exceeded the Secondary Chinese Discharge Standards. The soil in the mining region has been slightly polluted by Zn and seriously polluted by Hg. Moreover, it is shown that all plant samples such as Pteris vittata L., rice seedlings, and vegetables, such as capsicum, cucumber, kidney bean, tomato, and eggplant, have been affected by coal mine wastewater. These results demonstrated that the upper reaches of the Chongan River have been seriously polluted by coal mine wastewater, and as such need imminent environmental management.