The risk characteristics of heavy metals in urban soil of typical developed cities in China.

ABSTRACT

With the rapid development of China's industrial economy, heavy metals continue to accumulate in the environment, which has created serious threats for the ecological environment and human health. This study collected 50 surface soil samples in Nanjing, a typical developed city in China, and the contents of Al, Ca, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Ti, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn in the samples were determined. Combined with the ecological risk index and the health risk assessment model, the risk of soil heavy metals in Nanjing was comprehensively evaluated. The results show that the variation coefficients of Pb and Cu are distinctly large, and these elements are all slightly polluting. Children are at a high risk of exposure in various ways, among which Pb and Cu elements have a high risk of causing non-carcinogenic issues. The results of the correlation analysis showed that the content changes of Pb, Zn, and Cu had extremely significant correlations, indicating that they may have the same source. The results of the principal component analysis showed that industrial sources in Nanjing contributed the most heavy metals, reaching 34.4%. The second largest source was from parent material and fertilizer, which contributed 32.3% and 19.6%, respectively. The sources with the lowest contributions were from weathering and deposition, which reached 13.7%. The results of this study will provide guidance and reference for risk-source analysis, early warning, and management of soil heavy metals in developed cities.