ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Source Identification and Human Health Risk
of Heavy Metals in Soil: a Case Study of Industrial
Areas of Northeast China
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1
College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Liaoning Technical University, Fuxin 123000, China
2
Liaoning Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenyang 110161, China
3
Liaoning Academy of Forestry Science, Shenyang 110032, China
4
Key Laboratory of Regional Environment and Eco-Remediation of Ministry of Education,
College of Environment, Shenyang University, Shenyang 110044, China
Submission date: 2020-12-21
Final revision date: 2021-02-10
Acceptance date: 2021-02-11
Online publication date: 2021-08-30
Publication date: 2021-09-22
Corresponding author
Qing Luo
Shenyang University, Liaoning, 110044, Shenyang, China
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2021;30(5):4687-4708
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ABSTRACT
The objectives of this study were to identify the sources and concentrations of heavy metals in soils
from typical industrial areas in Fuxin, China and assess potential ecological and health risks. A total of
52 surface soil samples from sites A and B were collected and analyzed for Cd, Pb, Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn, As,
and Hg. Results showed that all concentrations of heavy metals exceeded background values to varying
degrees, especially for Cd. The mean concentrations for Cd, Pb, Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn, As, and Hg in sites
A and site B were 1.31±0.97 and 1.23±0.65 mg·kg−1, 12.54±12.45 and 8.51±8.85 mg·kg−1, 48.26±26.62
and 33.20±31.67 mg·kg−1, 23.29±27.40 and 23.98±28.71 mg·kg−1, 63.01±34.44 and 50.21±10.99 mg·kg−1,
114.07±52.26 and 108.60±41.75 mg·kg−1, 10.45±0.80 and 9.80±1.17 mg·kg−1, and 0.045±0.072 and
0.06±0.05 mg·kg−1, respectively, indicating that these metals were enriched in the surface soil of the
study areas. Site A only reaches a low risk degree, and site B is of medium risk degree. This difference
is due to the diverse industry distributions and pollution emissions. Related control and measure should
be drawn up from noncancer and cancer risks for children and adults.