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Source Apportionment and Ecological-Health Risk Assessments of Potentially Toxic Elements in Topsoil of an Agricultural Region in Southwest China

Author

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  • Yangshuang Wang

    (Faculty of Geosciences and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 611756, China
    Yibin Research Institute, Southwest Jiaotong University, Yibin 644000, China
    Sichuan Province Engineering Technology Research Center of Ecological Mitigation of Geohazards in Tibet Plateau Transportation Corridors, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 611756, China)

  • Shiming Yang

    (Faculty of Geosciences and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 611756, China
    Yibin Research Institute, Southwest Jiaotong University, Yibin 644000, China
    Sichuan Province Engineering Technology Research Center of Ecological Mitigation of Geohazards in Tibet Plateau Transportation Corridors, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 611756, China)

  • Denghui Wei

    (Faculty of Geosciences and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 611756, China
    Yibin Research Institute, Southwest Jiaotong University, Yibin 644000, China
    Sichuan Province Engineering Technology Research Center of Ecological Mitigation of Geohazards in Tibet Plateau Transportation Corridors, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 611756, China)

  • Haidong Li

    (Faculty of Geosciences and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 611756, China
    Yibin Research Institute, Southwest Jiaotong University, Yibin 644000, China
    Sichuan Province Engineering Technology Research Center of Ecological Mitigation of Geohazards in Tibet Plateau Transportation Corridors, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 611756, China)

  • Ming Luo

    (Sichuan Institute of Comprehensive Geological Survey, Chengdu 610081, China)

  • Xiaoyan Zhao

    (Faculty of Geosciences and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 611756, China
    Yibin Research Institute, Southwest Jiaotong University, Yibin 644000, China
    Sichuan Province Engineering Technology Research Center of Ecological Mitigation of Geohazards in Tibet Plateau Transportation Corridors, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 611756, China)

  • Yunhui Zhang

    (Faculty of Geosciences and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 611756, China
    Yibin Research Institute, Southwest Jiaotong University, Yibin 644000, China
    Sichuan Province Engineering Technology Research Center of Ecological Mitigation of Geohazards in Tibet Plateau Transportation Corridors, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 611756, China)

  • Ying Wang

    (Faculty of Geosciences and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 611756, China
    Yibin Research Institute, Southwest Jiaotong University, Yibin 644000, China
    Sichuan Province Engineering Technology Research Center of Ecological Mitigation of Geohazards in Tibet Plateau Transportation Corridors, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 611756, China)

Abstract

Soil potentially toxic element (PTE) contamination remains a global concern, particularly in rural agricultural regions. This study collected 157 agricultural topsoil samples within a rural area in SW China. Combined with multivariate statistical analysis in the compositional data analysis (CoDa) perspective, the PMF model was applied to identify key contamination sources and quantify their contributions. Potential ecological risk assessment and Monte Carlo simulation were employed to estimate ecological-health risks associated with PTE exposure. The results revealed that the main exceeding PTEs (Mercury—Hg and Cadmium—Cd) are rich in urbanized areas and the GFGP (Grain for Green Program) regions. Source apportionment indicated that soil parent materials constituted the dominant contributor (32.48%), followed by traffic emissions (28.31%), atmospheric deposition (21.48%), and legacy agricultural effects (17.86%). Ecological risk assessment showed that 60.51% of soil samples exhibited higher potential ecological risk (PERI > 150), with moderate-risk areas concentrated in the GFGP regions. The elements Cd and Hg from legacy agricultural effects and atmospheric deposition contributed the most to ecological risk. Health risk assessment demonstrated that most risk indices fell within acceptable ranges for all populations, while only children showed elevated non-carcinogenic risk (THI max > 1.0). Among PTEs, the element As, mainly from traffic emissions, was identified as a priority control element due to its significant health implications. Geospatial distributions showed significant risk enrichment in the GFGP regions (legacy agricultural areas). These findings present associated risk levels in sustainable agricultural regions, providing valuable data to support soil environmental management in regions requiring urgent intervention worldwide.

Suggested Citation

  • Yangshuang Wang & Shiming Yang & Denghui Wei & Haidong Li & Ming Luo & Xiaoyan Zhao & Yunhui Zhang & Ying Wang, 2025. "Source Apportionment and Ecological-Health Risk Assessments of Potentially Toxic Elements in Topsoil of an Agricultural Region in Southwest China," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-26, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:14:y:2025:i:6:p:1192-:d:1670539
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lei, Quanyong & Qi, Chunjie & Ye, Cong & Fang, Guozhu, 2023. "Health shock, the Green for Grain Program and medical expenses: Empirical Evidence on the well-being of Chinese Farmers," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 406-418.
    2. Jesús D. Peco & Pablo Higueras & Juan A. Campos & José M. Esbrí & Marta M. Moreno & Fabienne Battaglia-Brunet & Luisa M. Sandalio, 2021. "Abandoned Mine Lands Reclamation by Plant Remediation Technologies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-27, June.
    3. Tiziano Gomiero, 2016. "Soil Degradation, Land Scarcity and Food Security: Reviewing a Complex Challenge," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(3), pages 1-41, March.
    4. Charles R. Harris & K. Jarrod Millman & Stéfan J. Walt & Ralf Gommers & Pauli Virtanen & David Cournapeau & Eric Wieser & Julian Taylor & Sebastian Berg & Nathaniel J. Smith & Robert Kern & Matti Picu, 2020. "Array programming with NumPy," Nature, Nature, vol. 585(7825), pages 357-362, September.
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