Spatial Distribution, Pollution Characteristics, and Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Soils from a Typical Agricultural County, East China

Linsong Yu (), Hongbo Liu, Weidong Liu, Pinrui Qin, Jian Yu, Bing Zhou, Fugui Zhang, Ziwan Chen, Yuyan Zhao and Zeming Shi
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Linsong Yu: Shandong Institute of Geophysical and Geochemical Exploration, Jinan 250013, China
Hongbo Liu: Shandong Institute of Geophysical and Geochemical Exploration, Jinan 250013, China
Weidong Liu: Shandong Provincial Bureau of Geology & Mineral Resources, Jinan 250013, China
Pinrui Qin: Shandong Provincial Bureau of Geology & Mineral Resources, Jinan 250013, China
Jian Yu: Shandong Provincial Bureau of Geology & Mineral Resources, Jinan 250013, China
Bing Zhou: School of Earth Sciences, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China
Fugui Zhang: Institute of Geophysical & Geochemical Exploration, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Langfang 065000, China
Ziwan Chen: School of Earth Sciences, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China
Yuyan Zhao: College of Geo-Exploration Science and Technology, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
Zeming Shi: School of Earth Sciences, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China

Agriculture, 2022, vol. 12, issue 10, 1-21

Abstract: This study collected 1135 topsoil samples of cultivated land in Laiyang County, eastern China, to analyze the distribution, pollution and health risks of heavy metals (As, Cd, Cu, Cr, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn). The results show that: (1) the levels of eight heavy metals at some sites were higher than the risk screening values in China, and there was heavy metal pollution. (2) An improved geoaccumulation index was used to evaluate soil pollution. The average value of I geo before and after improvement was 0.32 ( I ml , no pollution to medium pollution) and −0.04 ( I ol , no pollution), respectively. (3) Hg and Cd were identified as the main contributors to ecological risk in this study, with a cumulative ecological risk contribution percentage > 65%. The results of the potential ecological risk index ( PERI ) show that 9.3% of the sampling sites were considered to have moderate ecological risk. (4) As, Pb, Ni and Cu made a contribution of >95% in terms of non-carcinogenic risk to adults and children through different exposure routes, and different soil intake routes posed no non-carcinogenic risk to adults; there was a sampling site with HQ Children > 1, which was consistent with the non-carcinogenic risk site, indicating that children in this location and surrounding areas are more likely to face dual health risks. Therefore, it is necessary to promote the risk management of heavy metals in the study area in order to safely use soil resources.

Keywords: cultivated soil; heavy metal; spatial analysis; ecological risk assessment; health risk assessment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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