Sources, Contamination and Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Riparian Soils of the Weihe River Based on a Receptor Model and Monte Carlo Simulation

Wen Dong (), Bohan Niu, Huaien Li, Dandan Yan, Jiake Li, Zhiqiang Xu, Dongqi Wang, Xiuying Yang, Yakun Zhang, Yutong Chen and Hui Wang
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Wen Dong: State Key Laboratory of Eco-Hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region of China, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an 710048, China
Bohan Niu: State Key Laboratory of Eco-Hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region of China, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an 710048, China
Huaien Li: State Key Laboratory of Eco-Hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region of China, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an 710048, China
Dandan Yan: State Key Laboratory of Eco-Hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region of China, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an 710048, China
Jiake Li: State Key Laboratory of Eco-Hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region of China, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an 710048, China
Zhiqiang Xu: State Key Laboratory of Eco-Hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region of China, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an 710048, China
Dongqi Wang: State Key Laboratory of Eco-Hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region of China, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an 710048, China
Xiuying Yang: Key Laboratory for Ecology and Environment of River Wetlands in Shaanxi Province, Weinan Normal University, Weinan 714099, China
Yakun Zhang: State Key Laboratory of Eco-Hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region of China, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an 710048, China
Yutong Chen: State Key Laboratory of Eco-Hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region of China, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an 710048, China
Hui Wang: State Key Laboratory of Eco-Hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region of China, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an 710048, China

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 23, 1-23

Abstract: The riparian ecosystem is highly susceptible to pollution, particularly heavy metals (HMs), due to its unique spatial position and landscape characteristics. Therefore, assessing the risks of HM pollution and identifying potential sources are crucial for formulating effective prevention and control measures. This study investigates the characteristics of HMs (Ni, Cr, Zn, Cd, Cu, Pb) pollution in the Weihe River riparian zone, identifies their sources, and assesses the associated ecological and human health risks. The results indicate that Ni, Zn, and Cd are the primary pollutants in riparian soil, with the average Cd concentration being 5.64 times higher than the background value, indicating a high potential ecological risk. Spatially, the average HM concentrations in the middle and upper reaches are higher than in the lower reaches. Vertically, as the distance from the riparian increases, the HM content exhibits a “U”-shaped pattern (increase-decrease-increase). The Absolute principal components multiple regression (APCS-MLR) receptor model identified four potential pollution sources: traffic sources; agricultural sources; industrial sources; and natural sources. Additionally, the Monte Carlo simulation-based human health risk assessment indicates that the non-carcinogenic health risk indices for all HMs are within acceptable ranges. For carcinogenic health risk indices, there is a 1.14% probability for children. However, the vast majority of the risks fall within acceptable or no-risk categories.

Keywords: riparian zone; heavy metals; APCS-MLR model; health risk; Monte Carlo simulation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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