Abstract
This study analyzed the distribution and content of eight heavy metals (Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, Cr, As, Cd, and Hg) in 221 surface soil samples from the upper reaches of the Xiaowen River. Environmental geochemical baselines were established for the eight heavy metals, and the pollution status was assessed on the basis of these baselines and the soil background value of Weifang City. The calculation results of Nemerow pollution index and the potential ecological hazard index (PEHI)-Ri showed that the overall pollution degree and ecological hazard in the study area were at a slight level. 49% (calculated by baseline value) and 24% (calculated by background value of Weifang City) samples were at moderate or above pollution level. 9% (calculated by baseline value) and 42% (calculated by background value) samples were at the level of moderate potential ecological hazards or above. According to the calculation results of Igeo and PEHI-Ei, the main pollutant in the study area was Hg, followed by Cd. 3% (calculated by baseline value) and 12% (calculated by background value) of Hg samples were at moderate or above contamination levels. 5% (calculated by baseline value) and 38% (calculated by background value) of Hg samples were at the level of strong potential ecological hazard or above. The western, central, and eastern parts of the study area were mainly the primary areas of pollution and ecological hazards. The non-carcinogenic risk was at an acceptable level, the carcinogenic risk was at a tolerable level, and the main risk pathway was oral intake, with Cr being the main contributor. Source apportionment indicated that soil heavy metals primarily originate from soil parent material, transportation, agricultural fertilization, and industrial emissions (waste gas, waste water and solid waste).
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Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank all the reviewers who participated in the review, as well as MJEditor (www.mjeditor.com) for providing English editing services during the preparation of this manuscript.
Funding
This study was supported by the Geological Exploration and Scientific and Technological Innovation Project of Shandong Provincial Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources (Grant Number 202005).
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Zongjun Gao contributed to formal analysis, methodology, and writing—original draft. Yiru Niu contributed to formal analysis, software, and writing—original draft. Yuqi Zhang contributed to supervision, conceptualization, writing—review & editing. Jiutan Liu contributed to software and methodology. Menghan Tan contributed to software. Bing Jiang contributed to investigation, resources, and software.
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Gao, Z., Niu, Y., Zhang, Y. et al. Geochemical baseline establishment, pollution level and health risk assessment of soil heavy metals in the upper Xiaowen River Basin, Shandong Province, China. Environ Geochem Health 46, 124 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-024-01893-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-024-01893-9