Source Identification and Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in the Soil from a Typical Agricultural Area in the Sanjiang Plain, China

Abstract

To assess the health risk of heavy metals in a typical agricultural area of the Sanjiang Plain, 53 soil samples were collected and tested to obtain the concentrations of As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Ti, V, and Zn in the soil. The enrichment factor indicated that most of the heavy metals in the agricultural soil were enriched, although the degree of enrichment was mild for these heavy metals. Coefficient analysis and principal component analysis indicated that As, Co, Mn, Pb, and Ti were mainly from coal burning; Cr, Cu, Ni, V, and Zn were mainly from the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides; Sb was mainly from traffic activities; and Se was mainly from natural sources. Humanhealth risk assessment indicated that the residents in the study area face high risk from carcinogens and low risk from non-carcinogens. As and Cr are the major heavy metals affecting human health. This study provides a reference for formulating effective measures to prevent and control heavy metal enrichment in agricultural soils.