ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Ecological Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals
in Farmland Soil of Changchun New Area
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1
Harbin Natural Resources Comprehensive Investigation Center, CGS, Haerbin 150081, P.R. China
2
Shenyang Center of Geological Survey, CGS, Shenyang 110034, P.R. China
3
Shenyang Laboratory of National Gemstone Testing Center, Shenyang 110034, P.R. China
Submission date: 2021-01-28
Final revision date: 2021-03-28
Acceptance date: 2021-04-08
Online publication date: 2021-09-14
Publication date: 2021-12-02
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2021;30(6):5775-5787
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ABSTRACT
In order to understand the status of soil heavy metal pollution and its impact on human health, the
degree of soil heavy metal pollution in the Changchun New Area and the associated ecological risk and
health risk were evaluated using the geo-accumulation index method, potential ecological risk index
method, and health risk assessment model. The results showed that the average contents of eight heavy
metals in the soil were higher than their background values in Changchun City, with different degrees
of accumulation. The soil of Changchun New Area showed Hg and Cd pollution, with ecological risks.
The average geo-accumulation index of Hg was 0.43, reflecting light to medium pollution, and the risk
index ranged from 42 to 806, reflecting moderate to strong ecological risk. The level of Cd pollution was
found to be light. In contrast, the soil was free of Cr, Ni, Pb, Zn, As, and Cu pollution, with no apparent
risk. However, they all exceeded the reference value of soil treatment proposed by the United States
Environmental Protection Agency (10-6). Therefore, prevention measures for heavy metal pollution
should be further strengthened.