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Concentration, Spatial Distribution, Contamination Degree and Human Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Urban Soils across China between 2003 and 2019—A Systematic Review

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  • Shuangmei Tong

    (Key Laboratory of Land Surface Pattern and Simulation, Institute of Geographical Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 11 A Datun Road, Beijing 100101, China
    College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
    College of Tourism and Historical Culture, Liupanshui Normal University, Liupanshui 553004, China)

  • Hairong Li

    (Key Laboratory of Land Surface Pattern and Simulation, Institute of Geographical Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 11 A Datun Road, Beijing 100101, China
    College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China)

  • Li Wang

    (Key Laboratory of Land Surface Pattern and Simulation, Institute of Geographical Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 11 A Datun Road, Beijing 100101, China
    College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China)

  • Muyesaier Tudi

    (Key Laboratory of Land Surface Pattern and Simulation, Institute of Geographical Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 11 A Datun Road, Beijing 100101, China
    College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China)

  • Linsheng Yang

    (Key Laboratory of Land Surface Pattern and Simulation, Institute of Geographical Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 11 A Datun Road, Beijing 100101, China
    College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China)

Abstract

This study provides an overview of the studies of heavy metal pollution regarding As, Cd, Cr, Hg, Pb, Cu, Zn and Ni in the urban soils throughout 71 cities of China, based on data from online literature, during the period 2003–2019. The concentrations, spatial distributions, contamination degrees and health risks of heavy metals in the urban soils were evaluated. The results demonstrated that the mean values of eight heavy metals all exceeded the soil background values in China, and the kriging interpolation method showed that the hot-spot cities with heavy metal contamination in urban soils were mainly concentrated in the southwest, southcentral, southeast coast, northcentral and northwest regions of China. The geoaccumulation index ( Igeo ) indicated that Hg and Cd were at moderate contamination levels and that the levels of the other six metals did not appear contamination. The pollution index ( PI ) showed that Cd and Hg reached high contamination levels, and the other metals reached moderate contamination levels. The integrated pollution index ( IPI ) and potential ecological risk index ( PRI ) indicated that the integral urban soils in the study areas ranked high contamination levels and moderate ecological risk degree, respectively, and Cd and Hg should be labeled as priority metals for control in the urban soils around China. The human health risk assessments for the heavy metals indicated that ingestion was the dominant exposure pathway for having adverse effects on human health. The mean Hazard index ( HI ) values of eight heavy metals all showed that adverse effects on human health were unlikely, and the mean carcinogenic ( CR ) values of As, Cr and Ni for children and adults all suggested an acceptable carcinogenic risk to human beings. In addition, children exposed to these heavy metals faced more serious non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health threats compared to adults. The results could provide valuable information for demanding the better control of heavy metal pollution and mitigation of the adverse effects on residents by environmental regulators in national urban regions.

Suggested Citation

  • Shuangmei Tong & Hairong Li & Li Wang & Muyesaier Tudi & Linsheng Yang, 2020. "Concentration, Spatial Distribution, Contamination Degree and Human Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Urban Soils across China between 2003 and 2019—A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-22, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:9:p:3099-:d:351972
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gang Wang & Hou-Qi Liu & Yu Gong & Yang Wei & Ai-Jun Miao & Liu-Yan Yang & Huan Zhong, 2017. "Risk Assessment of Metals in Urban Soils from a Typical Industrial City, Suzhou, Eastern China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-17, September.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Inna Z. Kamanina & Wael M. Badawy & Svetlana P. Kaplina & Oleg A. Makarov & Sergey V. Mamikhin, 2023. "Assessment of Soil Potentially Toxic Metal Pollution in Kolchugino Town, Russia: Characteristics and Pollution," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-16, February.
    3. Elżbieta Zawierucha & Monika Skowrońska & Marcin Zawierucha, 2022. "Chemical and Biological Properties of Agricultural Soils Located along Communication Routes," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-11, November.
    4. Hua Wang & Wuyan Li & Congmou Zhu & Xiaobo Tang, 2021. "Analysis of Heavy Metal Pollution in Cultivated Land of Different Quality Grades in Yangtze River Delta of China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-17, September.
    5. Mengdie Qi & Yingjun Wu & Shu Zhang & Guiying Li & Taicheng An, 2023. "Pollution Profiles, Source Identification and Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Soil near a Non-Ferrous Metal Smelting Plant," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-15, January.
    6. Rui Zhang & Tao Chen & Lijie Pu & Lu Qie & Sihua Huang & Dejing Chen, 2023. "Current Situation of Agricultural Soil Pollution in Jiangsu Province: A Meta-Analysis," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-21, February.

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