Source identification and human health risk of heavy metals in soil: A case study of industrial areas of northeast china

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to identify the sources and concentrations of heavy metals in soils from typical industrial areas in Fuxin, China and assess potential ecological and health risks. A total of 52 surface soil samples from sites A and B were collected and analyzed for Cd, Pb, Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn, As, and Hg. Results showed that all concentrations of heavy metals exceeded background values to varying degrees, especially for Cd. The mean concentrations for Cd, Pb, Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn, As, and Hg in sites A and site B were 1.31±0.97 and 1.23±0.65 mg·kg−1, 12.54±12.45 and 8.51±8.85 mg·kg−1, 48.26±26.62 and 33.20±31.67 mg·kg−1, 23.29±27.40 and 23.98±28.71 mg·kg−1, 63.01±34.44 and 50.21±10.99 mg·kg−1, 114.07±52.26 and 108.60±41.75 mg·kg−1, 10.45±0.80 and 9.80±1.17 mg·kg−1, and 0.045±0.072 and 0.06±0.05 mg·kg−1, respectively, indicating that these metals were enriched in the surface soil of the study areas. Site A only reaches a low risk degree, and site B is of medium risk degree. This difference is due to the diverse industry distributions and pollution emissions. Related control and measure should be drawn up from noncancer and cancer risks for children and adults.