Heavy metal pollution seriously threatens the drinking water safety and ecological environment in karst lead–zinc mines. Fifteen groundwater and surface water samples were collected in a karst lead–zinc mine in Daxin, Chongzuo. Ten heavy metal (Mn, Zn, As, Pb, Cr, Cd, Ni, Co, Cu, and Fe) concentrations were detected. Correlation and cluster analysis were utilized to explore the distribution characteristics and sources. The health risks were appraised using the health risk assessment model. The groundwater had more heavy metal types than the surface water, of which the concentrations and average concentrations exceeded the class III water quality standard. The mine drainage contributed most (65.10%) to the heavy metal concentrations. Pb, Zn, Cd, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, and Fe primarily originated from the mining of the lead–zinc mine, Cr primarily came from the fuel combustion and wear of metals, and As was primarily connected with the regional geological background. The groundwater had a higher total health risk (5.12 × 10⁻⁴ a⁻¹) than the surface water (2.17 × 10⁻⁴ a⁻¹). In comparison with the non-carcinogenic risk, the carcinogenic risk increased by three to five orders of magnitude. The carcinogenic risk distribution of Cr and Cd represented the health risk pattern. The drinking pathway posed two to three orders of magnitude the amount of health risks that the dermal contact pathway posed. Children suffered greater health risks. Water security for children should be more strictly controlled. Zn, Cd, Pb, Mn, and Cr must be paid more attention in terms of water quality protection and management.

Karst water is rich in calcium ions (Ca²⁺) and exhibits poor metal availability and low biodegradation efficiency. This study sought to analyze the effects and mechanisms of Ca²⁺ on lead (Pb) removal and absorption by Eichhornia crassipes (a floating plant common in karst areas). Moreover, the morphology and functional groups of E. crassipes in water were characterized via SEM, and FTIR. The results demonstrated that the removal rate of Pb in karst water (85.31%) was higher than that in non-karst water (77.04%); however, the Pb bioconcentration amount (BCA) in E. crassipes roots in karst water (1763 mg/kg) was lower than that in non-karst water (2143 mg/kg). With increased Ca²⁺ concentrations (60, 80, and 100 mg/L) in karst water, the Pb removal rate increased (85.31%, 88.87%, and 92.44%), the Pb BCA decreased (1763, 1317, and 1095 mg/kg), and the Ca BCA increased (6801, 6955, and 9368 mg/kg), which was attributed to PbCO₃ and PbSO₄ precipitation and competitive Ca and Pb absorption. High Ca²⁺ concentrations increased the strength of cation exchange, alleviated the fracture degree of fibrous roots, reduced the atrophy of vascular bundles, protected the cell wall, promoted C–O combined with Pb, enhanced the strength of O‒H, SO₄²⁻, C=O, and reduced the oxidization of alkynyl acetylene bonds.

Bicarbonate ions (HCO₃⁻) are abundant in karst water with poor lead (Pb) utilization and biodegradation. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of HCO₃⁻ on the Pb removal efficiency and uptake ability of Pontederia crassipes (a widespread hydrophyte in the karst area) from karst water. The Pb concentration, Pontederia crassipes morphology, and functional group were detected. As the HCO₃⁻ molarity in karst water increased (3, 4, and 5 mmol/L), the removal of Pb increased (85.31%, 93.28%, and 95.16%), whereas the bioconcentration amount of Pb decreased (573, 501, and 301 mg/kg), mainly due to the insoluble PbCO₃ and Pb (OH)₂. The Pb bioconcentration factor was the highest (15,564) at 4 mmol/L HCO₃⁻ due to the maximum strength of cation exchange and cell wall protein C=O. High HCO₃⁻ molarities changed the variety of positive ions of cation exchange (HCO₃⁻ ≤ 4 mmol/L: Na, K, and Mg; HCO₃⁻ > 4 mmol/L: Mg and K), and relieved the breaking of roots, stomatal closure, and vascular system shrinking. Moreover, high HCO₃⁻ molarities diminished the C≡C oxidation, enlarged the displacement of SO₄²⁻ and C-O, and stimulated the methyl transfer reaction and the bonding between -CH₃ and Pb.