Process, influencing factors, and simulation of the lateral transport of heavy metals in surface runoff in a mining area driven by rainfall: A review

The lateral transport of heavy metals can expand the scope of original contamination, and an accurate prediction of heavy metal migration is necessary to control heavy metal transport. However, previous studies have mainly focused on the migration of soil pollutants in the runoff-soil-groundwater system, whereas research on the lateral migration of heavy metals in surface soil driven by rainfall is relatively scarce. Therefore, in this study we analyzed the horizontal migration of water-soluble heavy metals with surface runoff and non-water-soluble heavy metals with sediment particles, investigated the main factors affecting the processes of runoff and sediment transport and the main factors affecting the mobility of heavy metals in soils, summarized the existing methods for the simulation of heavy metal transportation. The construction of a lateral migration model based on the migration mechanism of soil heavy metals, the hydrological model, and the application of the lateral migration model should be the focus of future research. This study provides a theoretical basis for establishing a model of the lateral migration of soil heavy metals and is of great significance for the prevention and control of the risks related to the lateral migration of soil heavy metals. [Display omitted] •The lateral migration process of heavy metal with runoff and sediment was analyzed.•The factors affecting runoff-sediment process and heavy metal mobility were analyzed.•Problems and future work of heavy metal lateral migration simulation were analyzed.