Analysis of the sources and spatial distribution of trace elements in Qilian Mountains glaciers
The content variation of trace elements in mountain glaciers can be used as a good index to evaluate the impact of human activities on atmospheric environment.In order to illuminate the spatial distribution and the main sources of trace elements in snow ice of Qilian Mountains,on September 15,2020,surface snow samples were collected from seven glaciers in the Qilian Mountains,including Aerjin Glacier,Zhazigou Glacier,Laohu-gou Glacier,Qiyi Glacier,Glacier No.4,Bayi Glacier,and Ningchanhe Glacier No.3.The samples were acidi-fied to analyze the spatial distribution of trace elements and their primary sources.Using ICP-MS,the concentra-tions of 15 metallic elements(Al,Fe,As,Ba,Co,Cr,Cu,Li,Mn,Mo,Pb,Sr,Tl,Zn,and Cd)were mea-sured,and the average trace element concentrations were compared using the Jonckheere-Terpstra nonparametric test.Higher trace element concentrations were found in Zhazigou Glacier and Laohugou Glacier in the western part of the Qilian Mountains,while lower concentrations were found in Ningchanhe Glacier No.3 in the eastern part.The overall spatial distribution trend of trace element concentrations was west>middle>east.Enrichment factors(EF)for total trace element concentrations were calculated,showing that elements Co,Cr,Cu,Tl,Fe,Li,Mn,Mo,and Sr were mostly influenced by natural dust input(EF<10),whereas elements Pb,Cd,and Zn were more influenced by anthropogenic sources(EF>10),such as industrial emissions,coal mining,and fossil fuel combustion.The trace element concentration data were subjected to Principal Component Analysis(PCA),revealing that elements with high positive loadings on the total concentration in the first principal component mainly originated from natural dust sources,especially in the Xinjiang region.The second principal component represented varying degrees of anthropogenic source effects.Additionally,clustering analysis combined with a backward trajectory demonstrated that the study area is primarily influenced by the westerly circulation,and the natural input sources of trace elements mainly come from deserts and basins in central and northern Xinjiang.An-thropogenic sources include human activities in some cities along the Hexi Corridor,transportation emissions,mineral extraction,and metal smelting.This study provides data support for the impact of glacial human activi-ties on the environment in various segments of the Qilian Mountains.These findings provide important scientific and technological support for the construction of ecological civilization and sustainable social and economic de-velopment in the Qilian Mountains.
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