The disposal of electronic waste (e-waste) has caused a serious environmental problem and potentially ecological risk that are becoming great challenges to developing countries. A very few studies have assessed ecological risk in e-waste recycling villages. This study was carried out in Cam Xa commune, My Hao district, Hung Yen province where the e-waste recycling activities have been emerging. Thirteen surface soil samples were taken to assess heavy metal contamination (Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, Zn and Hg) and ecological risk. The results show that levels of Pb, Zn and Cu in all samples exceed QCVN 03:2008/BTNMT. PCA (Principle component analysis) was used to find out significant correlations among the parameters. Soil contamination and ecological risk was evaluated on the basis of single pollution index (PI), Nemerow integrated pollution index (PIN), geo-accumulation index (Igeo) and risk index (RI). The values of PI have revealed that the levels of heavy metal were classified highly contaminated whereas those of PIN performed the overall contamination degree in all samples. Igeo indices also indicated that contamination degree ranged from uncontaminated to extremely contaminated degree while overall risk caused by heavy metals ranged from moderate to very high risk.
Keyword
Heavy metal, ecological risk, recycling villages, geo-accumulation, pollution index.
