Evaluation of Contamination and Ecological and Health Risk in Surface Soil and Crops Contaminated with Metalloids and Heavy Metals in Datun, China, “The World Tin Capital”

Abstract

ABSTRACT Excessive heavy metal(loid)s pollution in surface soil threatens ecosystems and human health in Gejiu (a world tin capital). Currently, soil pollution and its migration and accumulation to the edible parts of typical crops require deep consideration. The geoaccumulation index, enrichment factor, single factor index, Nemerow comprehensive pollution index, and potential ecological hazard index were employed for pollution status evaluation, multivariate statistical analysis (including CA and PCA) was performed for source apportionment, and health risk assessment of crops intake was conducted. The results showed that 1) Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, and As exceeded the second-level standard (pH < 6.5) of the Soil Environmental Quality Standard; 2) Pb, Zn, Cd, and As pollution was quite severe based on Igeo and EF; 3) Pb, Cd, As, and Cu pollution was at an extreme level based on the single factor index and the comprehensive Nemerow pollution index; 4) Cd, As, Hg, and Pb posed strong ecological risks; 5) mining activity was clearly responsible for contamination with these elements; 6) among the heavy metal(loid)s, Cd showed the greatest accumulation in crops, followed by Hg, Zn, and As; and 7) tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), radish (Raphanus sativus L.), zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.), and corn (Zea mays L.) had the lowest hazard indices.