Characteristics and health risk evaluation of soil heavy metals in Longshan County, Hunan Province

This paper is the result of geological survey engineering. [Objective]A total of 775 soil samples were collected in Longshan County for the purpose of analyzing the content characteristics of soil heavy metals, including As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn. Additionally, an evaluation of the health risks caused by soil heavy metals was conducted. [Methods]To assess the level of soil heavy metal pollution, the geo-accumulation index was utilized. The source of soil heavy metals was identified through correlation analysis and principal component analysis. Furthermore, a health risk model was employed to assess the potential risks imposed by soil heavy metals on human health. [Results]The results of the analysis revealed that the average concentration of Cd in the soil of Longshan County was significantly higher than the background value observed in the soil of Hunan Province. This suggests that there is a certain degree of Cd enrichment in the soils of Longshan County. Moreover, the coefficients of variation for Hg, As, and Cd were greater than 0.5, and the coefficient of variation for Hg exceeded 1, indicating that these heavy metals may be influenced by human activities. The presence of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn contamination was observed in the soils of Longshan County. Notably, Cd pollution was widespread, and some areas exhibited severe levels of Hg contamination. The sources of soil heavy metals in Longshan County can be categorized into three groups:Cr, Cu, and Ni primarily originate from the soil parent materials, while As, Cd, Pb, and Zn are predominantly influenced by lead-zinc mining and smelting activities. The source of Cd also has some association with the soil parent materials. Furthermore, Hg is mainly derived from the combustion of fossil fuels. The health risks caused by soil heavy metals were found to be higher for children compared to adults. Additionally, special attention should be given to the health risks caused by soil heavy metals in Liye Town, Miaoertan Town, and Luota Town of Longshan County. Furthermore, non-carcinogenic risks are primarily attributed to As and Cr, whereas carcinogenic risks are primarily linked to Cr and Ni. Oral ingestion was identified as the main exposure route contributing to health risks. [Conclusions]There was a variable degree of heavy metal pollution in the soil of Longshan County, and As, Cr, Ni were the main contributing factors to health risks.