Lanthanum anomaly as monitor of the burning of fossil fuels pollution in surface soil surrounding the industrial complex in Tula (Mexico City megalopolis)
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Lanthanum is enriched in atmospheric aerosols from oil-burning residues. This study evaluates the La enrichment in topsoils from the major industrial emission hotspot in the northern Mexico City megalopolis. Twenty-seven topsoil samples and three rocks were collected. Initial soil characterization included granulometry, pHH2O (6.83-8.33), pHKCl (6.80-7.80), organic carbon (0.58-12.02%), cation exchange capacity (17.40-80.23 cmolc/kg), and magnetic susceptibility (36.25-153.61 10−8 m3 kg−1). Soils ranged from sandy loam to silty clay. Elements analyzed by ICP-MS included PTE (V, Cr, Co, Cu, Ni, Zn, As, Mo, Sn, Sb, Pb), lanthanides (La→Lu), and geogenic elements (Al, Ti, Zr, Ba, Hf, Th). Both natural and anthropogenic sources influenced the geochemistry of soils in the study area. Based on statistical analyses and ternary diagrams, V–Ni enrichment is associated with atmospheric residues from burning heavy oil. Magnetic susceptibility, dominated by residual ferromagnetic minerals, correlates with V, Ni, Mo, and La. PAAS-normalized REE patterns mainly reflect the local volcanic rock sources, but the enrichment of La in several samples is linked to anthropogenic input from the industrial complex. La/La* is suitable for monitoring soil pollution from oil combustion residues. Comparisons between La enrichment and other geochemical and geophysical pollution proxies, combined with geographical interpolation maps, suggest that Tula's industrial emissions are the principal source of soil contamination.
Language: English
Topic: Heavy metals in environment
Subfield: Pollution
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDG: Life on land
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,570
OpenAlex ID: W4415289678