Heavy metal pollution from copper smelting during the Shang Dynasty at the Laoniupo site in the Bahe River valley, Guanzhong Basin, China

Heavy metal pollution is hazardous for the environment and human health. However, there are few studies of heavy caused by historic metallurgical activity. The Laoniupo site in Bahe River valley, Guanzhong Basin, China, was an important settlement Shang Culture (1600`-1046 BCE). We studied two stratigraphic profiles at site, which were used measurements magnetic susceptibility, concentrations, AMS 14C ages to provide evidence copper smelting activity during Dynasty. Nemerow Pollution Index Geoaccumulation calculated assess metals record (Cu, Zn, Ni, Pb, Cr, As) topsoil on loess tableland. According Single Index, slightly polluted As unpolluted Cu, Pb Cr; according Composite mildly polluted; moderately As, Cr. main cause presence slag cultural layers that disturbed modern farming