Evaluation of Heavy Metal Contamination and Associated Human Health Risk in Soils around a Battery Industrial Zone in Henan Province, Central China

Jingjing Zhang, Qiujuan Jiao, Yong Wu, Haitao Liu, Peiyi Yu, Deyuan Liu, Dangling Hua and Jia Song ()
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Jingjing Zhang: College of Resources and Environment, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
Qiujuan Jiao: College of Resources and Environment, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
Yong Wu: College of Resources and Environment, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
Haitao Liu: College of Resources and Environment, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
Peiyi Yu: College of Resources and Environment, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
Deyuan Liu: College of Resources and Environment, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
Dangling Hua: College of Resources and Environment, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
Jia Song: College of Resources and Environment, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China

Agriculture, 2024, vol. 14, issue 6, 1-13

Abstract: This research investigated the contamination characteristics, sources, and health risks of five metals in soils from two villages named DK and SXC, downstream from a battery industry hub in Xinxiang city, Henan Province, China. The average concentrations of Cd, Pb, Ni, Cu, and Zn in DK were 5.93, 41.31, 71.40, 62.20, and 115.83 mg/kg, respectively, and in SXC were 2.04, 30.41, 41.22, 36.18, and 96.04 mg/kg, respectively. The single factor pollution index (P i ) revealed a consistent descending order of Cd > Cu > Zn > Ni > Pb in DK and SXC. The geo-accumulation index (I geo ) indicated that the Cd pollution in DK was extreme, and in SXC was at a heavy to extreme level. The potential ecological risk index (PERI) indicated that Cd presented a significantly high ecological risk while it was low for other metals. Principal component analysis classified them into the anthropogenic origin of Cd and common mixed origin of others. The elevated levels and pollution load of heavy metals with closer proximity to the battery factory imply that the factory is a probable source of contamination. Overall, the health risks posed by heavy metals were more pronounced for local children compared to adults, with Cd being the primary contributor to both pollution and health risks. This investigation provides a crucial basis for the heavy metal pollution management and related risk prevention in areas affected by electronic waste irrigation.

Keywords: heavy metals; health risk; pollution assessment; source identification; soil (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: 2024
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