Atmospheric Heavy Metal Research Articles

Biomonitoring of atmospheric heavy metals in native lichen Xanthoria parietina around Salda Lake (Burdur – Turkey), a special environmental protection area

Biomonitoring of atmospheric heavy metals in native lichen Xanthoria parietina around Salda Lake (Burdur – Turkey), a special environmental protection area

Stress mitigation mechanism of rice leaf microbiota amid atmospheric deposition of heavy metals

Leaf microbiota have been extensively applied in the biological control of plant diseases, but their crucial roles in mitigating atmospheric heavy metal (HM) deposition and promoting plant growth remain poorly understood. This study demonstrates that elevated atmospheric HM deposition on rice leaves significantly shapes distinct epiphytic and endophytic microbiota across all growth stages. HM stress consistently leads to the dominance of epiphytic Pantoea and endophytic Microbacterium in rice leaves, particularly during the booting and filling stages. Leaf-bound HMs stimulate the differentiation of specialized microbial communities in both endophytic and epiphytic compartments, thereby regulating leaf microbial interactions. Metagenomic binning retrieved high-quality genomes of keystone leaf microorganisms, indicating their potential for essential metabolic functions. Notably, Pantoea and Microbacterium show significant HM resistance, plant growth-promoting capabilities, and diverse element cycling functions. They possess genes associated with metal(loid) resistance, such as ars and czc, suggesting their ability to detoxify arsenic(As) and cadmium(Cd). They also support carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur cycling, with genes linked to carbon fixation, nitrogen fixation, and sulfur reduction. Additionally, these bacteria may enhance plant stress resistance and growth by producing antioxidants, phytohormones, and other beneficial compounds, potentially improving HM stress tolerance and nutrient availability in rice plants. This study shows that atmospheric HMs affect rice leaf microbial communities, prompting plants to seek microbial help to combat stress. The unique composition and metabolic potential of rice leaf microbiota offer a novel perspective for mitigating adverse stress induced by atmospheric HM deposition. This contributes to the utilization of leaf microbiota to alleviate the negative impact of heavy metal deposition on rice development and food security.

Particle-size correlation and prediction models of atmospheric heavy metals

The infinitely variable size of atmospheric particulate matter raises a huge challenge for accurately assessing the health risks of pollutants of different particle sizes. Currently, the majority of studies have concentrated on PM2.5-bound heavy metals (PM2.5-HMs) and their associated health risks, greatly ignoring the risks caused by heavy metals in other particle sizes such as PM10 and total suspended particulate (TSP). In this study, Pearson correlation analysis was used for the first time to explore the concentration correlation of 10 heavy metals (HMs) (Cd, Cr, As, Pb, Zn, Cu, V, Mn, Ni, Co) in PM1, PM2.5, PM10, and TSP, utilizing 91876 PM samples from China from 2000 to 2022. The results of the Pearson correlation analysis revealed that the correlation coefficients between PM2.5-HM and PM10-HM, PM10-HM and TSP-HM, and PM2.5-HM and TSP-HM were all above 0.82, with statistical significance (P < 0.001). Due to the sample size limitation of PM1-HM (n < 15), the Pearson correlation coefficients of PM1-HM with other particle-size HM may not be robust enough. Then generalized linear models (GLM) and generalized additive models (GAM) were used to exclude the interference of covariates (sampling time and sampling city), and 16 univariate inter-prediction models which are not affected by temporal and spatial factors for PM2.5, PM10, and TSP binding HM concentration were further constructed. The regression diagnostics of these prediction models indicate normally distributed data and strong linear trends, and the influential points in the modeled data were all within acceptable limits (n ≤ 1). The R2s of the prediction models were almost greater than 0.8, indicating that the prediction models were effective and robust. This study reveals for the first time the particle-size correlation of PM2.5-HM, PM10-HM, and TSP-HM, offering a novel approach for the prediction of heavy metal concentration and health risk assessment of atmospheric particle-size fractionated heavy metal.

Temporal-spatial characteristics and sources of heavy metals in bulk deposition across China

With the rapid development of industries, agriculture, and urbanization (including transportation and population growth), there has been a significant alteration in the emission and atmospheric deposition of heavy metal pollutants. This has consequently given rise to a range of ecological and environmental health issues. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive two-year investigation on the temporal and spatial distribution characteristics of heavy metals in atmospheric deposition across China based on the Nationwide Nitrogen Deposition Monitoring Network (NNDMN). The atmospheric bulk deposition of Lead (Pb), Arsenic (As), Nickel (Ni), Selenium (Se), Chromium (Cr) and Cadmium (Cd) were 6.32 ± 1.59, 4.49 ± 0.57, 1.31 ± 0.21, 1.05 ± 0.16, 0.60 ± 0.06 and 0.21 ± 0.03 mg m−2 yr−1, respectively, with a large variation among the different regions of China. The order for atmospheric deposition flux was Southwest China > Southeast China > North China > Northeast China > Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and rural area > urban area > background area. The concentrations of heavy metals in bulk deposition exhibit seasonal variation with higher levels observed during winter compared to summer and spring, which are closely associated with anthropogenic activities. The Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) results indicated that combustion, industrial emissions and traffic are the primary contributors to atmospheric deposition of heavy metals. The single factor pollution index (Pi) of heavy metals is consistently below 1, and the composite pollution index (Ni) is 0.16 across China, indicating that atmospheric heavy metal deposition is at a pollution-free level. The comprehensive potential ecological risk index of heavy metals is 11.8, with Cd exhibiting the highest single factor potential ecological risk index at 7.09, suggesting that more attention should be paid to Cd deposition in China. The present study reveals the spatial-temporal distribution pattern of atmospheric heavy metals deposition in China, identifying regional source characteristics and providing a theoretical foundation and strategies for reducing emissions of atmospheric pollutants.

Speciation, bioaccumulation, and toxicity of the newly deposited atmospheric heavy metals in soil-earthworm (Eisenia fetida) system near a large copper smelter

The speciation, bioaccumulation, and toxicity of the newly deposited atmospheric heavy metals in the soil-earthworm (Eisenia fetida) system were investigated by a fully factorial atmospheric exposure experiment using soils exposed to 0.8-year and 1.8-year atmospheric depositions. The results shown that the newly deposited metals (Cu, Cd, and Pb) primarily accumulated in the topsoil (0–6 cm) and were present as the highly bioavailable speciation. They can migrate further to increase the concentrations of Cu, Cd, and Pb in soil solution of the deeper layer (at 10 cm) by 12 %–436 %. Earthworms tended to preferentially accumulate the newly deposited metals, which contributed 10 %–61 % of Cu, Cd, and Pb in earthworms. Further, for the unpolluted and moderately polluted soils, the newly deposited metals induced the significant oxidative stress in earthworms, resulting in significant increases in antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px). No significant differences were observed in the levels of heavy metals in soil solutions, bioaccumulation, and enzyme activities in earthworms exposed to 0.8-year and 1.8-year depositions, indicating the bioavailability of atmospheric metals deposited into soils was rapidly decreased with time. This study highlights the high bioaccumulation and toxicity of heavy metals to earthworm from the new atmospheric deposition during the earthworm growing period.

Spatial-temporal distribution and source analysis of atmospheric particulate-bound cadmium from 1998 to 2021 in China.

Cadmium (Cd) is one of the most serious atmospheric heavy metal pollutants in China. PM2.5, PM10, and total suspended particle (TSP) are all important media for population Cd exposure. However, no studies so far have systematically explored the spatial and temporal distribution of atmospheric Cd bound to all these media in China, and the specific industrial sectors that contribute to the airborne Cd level are still unclear at present. In this study, we constructed the spatial and temporal distribution of PM (PM2.5, PM10, and TSP) binding Cd concentrations in China. Quantitative source apportionment of atmospheric Cd was carried out by analyzing the association of 23 industrial or energy-consuming sectors with Cd concentrations. Our results showed PM2.5, PM10, and TSP binding Cd concentrations decreased by 5.8%, 5.9%, and 6.1% per year at the national level, respectively. High PM-Cd concentrations were concentrated and distributed mainly in central and northwestern China. In addition, the medians of atmospheric PM2.5, PM10, and TSP binding Cd concentrations at the national level were 0.0026μg/m3, 0.0036μg/m3, and 0.0042μg/m3, respectively. The main sources of PM-Cd include nonferrous metal smelting (Zn, Pb, Al) (47%), glass production (13%), pesticide production (12%), cement production (10%), and coal consumption (9%). This study analyzes comprehensively the atmospheric PM-bound Cd pollution, identifies the major industrial sectors that affect atmospheric Cd concentrations at the macroscale for the first time, and provides a basis for further reduction in the atmospheric Cd pollution.

Revealing transmissions of atmospheric heavy metals hidden in the Chinese supply chain

Heavy metals (HMs) pose significant risks to human health and the environment. Identifying the sectors that play a significant role in the transmission of HMs has rarely been considered and represents an efficient method to control and manage HMs. By combining atmospheric HM emission inventories, the multi-regional input-output approach, and a betweenness-based method, this study revealed the transmission of HMs (comprehensively evaluated by the Heavy Metal Pollution Load, HMPL) in 2017. In 2017, 119.86 million tons of HMPL were transmitted through China's supply chain, and Cr was the main contributor to HMPL transmission. The results suggest that metal smelting is the primary contributor to HMPL transmission, and metal smelting in Jiangsu, Hebei, Henan, Shandong, and Anhui are the top five critical nodes. These results suggest that the sector's role changes dramatically with respect to HM control under this perspective. The role of HM emission-intensive sectors changed the most, as their production-based HMPLs accounted for 84% of the total HMPL; however, the HMPL transmitted by these sectors accounted for only 45% of the total. The critical HMPL transmission sectors identified in this study provide a basis for policy-making from a transmission perspective.

Hemispheric-scale heavy metal pollution from South American and Australian mining and metallurgy during the Common Era

Records from polar and alpine ice reflect past changes in background and industrial toxic heavy metal emissions. While Northern Hemisphere records have been used to evaluate environmental effects and linkages to historical events such as foreign conquests, plagues, economic downturns, and technological developments during the past three millennia, little is known about the magnitude and environmental effects of such emissions in the Southern Hemisphere or their historical linkages, especially prior to late 19th century industrialization. Here we used detailed measurements of the toxic heavy metals lead, cadmium, and thallium, as well as non-toxic bismuth, cerium, and sulfur in an array of five East Antarctic ice cores to investigate hemispheric-scale pollution during the Common Era. While thallium showed no anthropogenic increases, the other three metals increased by orders of magnitude in recent centuries after accounting for crustal and volcanic components. These first detailed records indicate that East Antarctic lead pollution started in the 13th century coincident with Late Intermediate Period metallurgy in the Andes and was pervasive during the Spanish Colonial period in parallel with large-scale exploitation of Andean silver and other ore deposits. Lead isotopic variations suggest that 19th-century increases in lead, cadmium, and bismuth resulted from Australian lead and Bolivian tin mining emissions, with 20th century pollution largely the result of the latter. As in the Northern Hemisphere, variations in heavy metal pollution coincided with plagues, cultural and technological developments, as well as global economic and political events including the Great Depression and the World Wars. Estimated atmospheric heavy metal emissions from Spanish Colonial-era mining and smelting during the late 16th and early 17th century were comparable to estimated European emissions during the 1st-century apex of the Roman Empire, with atmospheric model simulations suggesting hemispheric-scale toxic heavy metal pollution during the past five centuries as a result.

Risk assessment and source apportionment of available atmospheric heavy metal in a typical sandy area reservoir in Inner Mongolia, China

This study evaluated dry and wet deposition of atmospheric heavy metals (HMs) in a sandy area of Inner Mongolia, China, with the Dahekou Reservoir, Xilin Gol League, adopted as the study area. Monthly monitoring of atmospheric HM dry and wet deposition was conducted over one year (2021 to 2022) at 12 monitoring points, producing 144 dry and wet deposition samples, respectively. The sample contents of eight HMs (Cr, Ni, Pb, Cu, Zn, Mn, As, and Cd) were determined to estimate the fluxes of available forms of heavy metal (AHM) in dry and wet deposition. The potential ecological index (Eri), risk assessment coding (RAC), and ratio of secondary phase to primary phase (RSP) were used to evaluate the impact of atmospheric HM dry deposition on ecological security. Correlation analysis, principal component analysis, and the absolute principal component scores-multiple linear regression (APCS-MLR) receptor model were used to quantitatively analyze the sources of AHMs in atmospheric dry and wet deposition. The results showed that the study area experienced annual dry and wet deposition fluxes of AHMs of 1712.59 kg and 534.97 kg, respectively. Atmospheric heavy metal dry deposition over the entire year presented a strong ecological risk, with Cd contributing most to this risk. Risk assessment of HM speciation showed that the greatest risks of migration and transformation were for Cd and Pb. The APCS-MLR receptor model identified five and three sources of dry and wet deposition, respectively, in order of proportion of total contribution of: natural wind and sand > road traffic and coal combustion > mineral mining > other human activities > industrial soot.

Metal-accumulating capacity and antioxidant activity of Pylaisia polyantha (Hedw.) Schimp. moss in urban areas

Background. Bryophytes, including mosses, are widely used in biomonitoring of atmospheric pollution due to their ability to accumulate metals from atmospheric air. However, the effects of metal accumulation on metabolic processes in bryophyte cells have not been thoroughly studied. The aim of this work was to analyse the accumulation of heavy metals, indices of lipid peroxidation (LPO), and antioxidant status in gameto­phytes of the epiphytic moss Pylaisia polyantha (Hedw.) Schimp. collected from urban areas with different levels of technogenic load. Materials and Methods. The study was conducted in the city of Lviv (western part of Ukraine). Within the city, 15 sampling sites were selected and grouped as fol­lows: the green zone (A) conditionally used as the control, zone influenced by transport activities (B) and the industrial zone (C). In gametophyte shoots of P. polyantha, con­centrations of heavy metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) were analysed using the method of atomic absorption spectrophotometry; the content of LPO products (lipid hydroperoxides, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS)) and the activities of antioxidant system enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione S-transferase) were analysed using standard methods. The results were processed using standard statistical methods. Results. Concentrations of heavy metals in P. polyantha gametophytes collected from the study area can be arranged in descending order as follows: Fe&gt; Mn&gt; Zn&gt; Pb&gt; Cu&gt; Ni&gt; Cr&gt; Co&gt; Cd. The content of individual metals in moss material varied depending on the sampling site. Moss shoots collected from zone B accumulated significantly higher levels of Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb and Zn, and shoots from zone C had higher levels of Cr and Zn compared to those from the green zone. Moss gametophytes col­lected from sites in zone B had higher concentrations of LPO products and increased levels of antioxidant enzymes activity compared to the control. Conclusions. Elevated concentrations of heavy metals in moss material from sites exposed to traffic and industrial activities reflect atmospheric heavy metal pollution in urban areas. Intensive accumulation of heavy metals in gametophytes of P. polyantha that grows in the areas of transport activities is accompanied by increased lipid peroxi­dation processes and activation of enzymes of the antioxidant system in moss cells. Activation of antioxidant enzymes may play an important role in the adaptation of the moss P. polyantha to urban environments contaminated with heavy metals as a result of anthropogenic activities.

Transition Metal Catalysts for Atmospheric Heavy Metal Removal: A Review of Current Innovations and Advances.

Atmospheric heavy metal pollution presents a severe threat to public health and environmental stability. Transition metal catalysts have emerged as a potent solution for the selective capture and removal of these pollutants. This review provides a comprehensive summary of current advancements in the field, emphasizing the efficiency and specificity of nanostructured transition metals, including manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, and zinc. Looking forward, we delve into the prospective trajectory of catalyst development, underscoring the need for materials with enhanced stability, regenerability, and environmental compatibility. We project that advancements in computational materials science, nanotechnology, and green chemistry will be pivotal in discovering innovative catalysts that are economically and environmentally sustainable. The integration of smart technologies for real-time monitoring and adaptive control is anticipated to revolutionize heavy metal remediation, ensuring efficient and responsive pollution abatement strategies in the face of evolving industrial scenarios and regulatory landscapes.

High enrichment of heavy metals in fine particulate matter through dust aerosol generation

Abstract. Dust is a major source of atmospheric aerosols. Its chemical composition is often assumed to be similar to the parent soil. However, this assumption has not been rigorously verified. Here, we generated dust aerosols from soils to determine if there is particle-size-dependent selectivity of heavy metals in the dust generation. Mn, Cd, Pb and other heavy metals were found to be highly enriched in fine-dust (PM2.5) aerosols, which can be up to ∼ 6.5-fold. To calculate the contributions of dust to atmospheric heavy metals, regional air quality models usually use the dust chemical profiles from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) SPECIATE database, which does not capture the correct size-dependent selectivity of heavy metals in dust aerosols. Our air quality modeling for China demonstrates that the calculated contribution of fine-dust aerosols to atmospheric heavy metals, as well as their cancer risks, could have significant errors without using proper dust profiles.

Biomonitoring of heavy metals pollution in the university of Lagos, Akoka campus environment using the moss &lt;i&gt;Dicranium scorparium&lt;/i&gt; Hedw

ABSTRACTThe level of atmospheric heavy metal deposition in University ofLagos, Akoka campus was investigated using the moss Dicranumscorparium Hedw. Moss samples were collected from unplasteredperimeter walls and rock surfaces at ten sampling sites labeled AJ: UBA Park (A), Ransome Kuti (B). Makama Hall (C), Faculty ofLaw (D), Moremi Car Park (E), Medical Centre (F), Ozoluwa BQs(G), High Rise Buildings (H), Honors Hall (I), Lagoon Front (J). Acontrol sampling was done at First Estate, Amuwo-Odofin LGA.The concentrations of Cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb), Nickel (Ni),Copper (Cu) and Zinc (Zn) were determined using AtomicAbsorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) Perkin Elmer AA 800. Theresults obtained confirmed the presence of heavy metal in thisorder Zn &gt; Pb &gt; Cd &gt; Cu &gt; Ni. The concentration of Zn, Cd and Pbwere greater than the FME and UNEP threshold limiting values.The analysis of the anthropogenic influence of the pollutants on theenvironment revealed that Zn (4.24mg/L) despite its highestabundance is a moderate contaminant in the study locations.Contamination factor (CF) suggests that locations B, D, F, G and Jare seriously contaminated (C5) while locations A, C, E, H, and Iare extremely contaminated (C6). The index of geo-accumulationrevealed that all the studied locations are in the Igeo7 categoryindicating extremely pollution with the assayed metals. Thedifference in the occurrence of anthropogenic activities was seento be the major factor responsible for the variations in theconcentration of heavy metals accumulated by the mosses.

Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Dust Fall Around Reservoirs in Typical Ecologically Fragile Areas and Traceability Based on APCS-MLR Model

To assess the health risk status and pollution sources of heavy metals in the atmosphere of ecologically vulnerable areas, the surrounding area of Dahekou Reservoir in Xilingol League was selected as the study area. From 2021 to 2022, 12 monitoring points for atmospheric dust fall were collected for a period of one year. A total of 144 samples were collected to determine the contents of eight types of heavy metals, namely Cr, Ni, Pb, Cu, Zn, Mn, As, and Cd. The potential ecological index (Eri) and health risk assessment model were used to assess the risk level of atmospheric heavy metals on ecological security and human health. The analysis of enrichment factors, principal components, and the model of absolute principal component multiple linear regression (APCS-MLR) receptor were used to analyze the sources of heavy metal pollution qualitatively in the atmosphere of the study area. The results showed that:① the mean value of the comprehensive potential ecological risk of heavy metals in the annual atmospheric dust fall in the study area was at a high ecological risk, and only the Cd value was at a very high risk level among the heavy metals, whereas the remaining were at a slight risk. ② The results of the health risk showed that intake by hand, mouth, and skin contact were the main exposure routes, which led to non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks. Children were under non-carcinogenic and acceptable carcinogenic risks in different months. During those months, the main source of the risks was As. ③ Through enrichment factor analysis, principal component analysis, and APCS-MLR receptor model calculation, the results revealed that the proportion of wind-blown sources was the largest, accounting for 37.82%, and the contribution rates of coal combustion and traffic sources to Cu, Cd, Pb, and Zn were 73.01%, 40.22%, 70.31%, and 32.82%, respectively. The contribution rate of mining activities to As was 42.59%, while that of industrial sources of Cd was 22.01%; the contributions of other human activity sources of Cd, As, Pb, and Zn were 21.12%, 34.40%, 23.04%, and 32.15%, respectively.

Retention properties and mechanism of agricultural waste maize whisker on atmospheric mercury

Mercury (Hg) is a global pollutant transmitted mainly through the atmosphere, posing a serious threat to biological survival and human health. Porous materials, with high specific surface area, high porosity, and high adsorption, are particularly suitable for the purification of atmospheric Hg mixtures. However, plant porous materials are rarely directly used for atmospheric Hg purification. In this study, the properties and mechanism of maize whisker in removing atmospheric Hg were analyzed. The results show that the Hg content in the whiskers increases significantly as the initial Hg concentration increases, and 79.38% Hg can be removed by 0.2 g maize whiskers after 1 h exposure when the initial Hg concentration is 0.1 μg m−3, indicating that maize whiskers can accumulate atmospheric Hg rapidly and effectively. The hole diameter of the maize whisker is between 0.83 and 3.06 μm, which is suitable for the adsorption of small substances. Correlation analysis shows that maize whiskers have a significant correlation between atmospheric Hg retention and its specific surface area, pore size, medium pore ratio, and micropore ratio, suggesting that the maize whisker hole feature has a significant influence on its ability to retain atmospheric Hg. Compared with the energy profiles before and after Hg treatment, the peak of Mg decreased after Hg adsorption. Fourier infrared spectrometer analysis suggests that functional groups such as -OH, -COOH, and -O- are involved in the adsorption process. The change in pH value shows an obvious effect on the overall change in zeta potential in the adsorption process. Therefore, a variety of mechanisms, including physical adsorption, electrostatic adsorption, complexation, chelation, and ion exchange, are involved in Hg retention with the maize whisker. This study reveals the important potential value of agricultural waste maize whiskers in the purification of atmospheric heavy metal Hg.Graphical

Assessment of atmospheric heavy metal pollution in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau: Using mosses as biomonitor

Atmospheric heavy metal (HM) pollution may pose a significant threat to the fragile ecosystem of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP). To investigate potential atmospheric HM pollution within the QTP region of China, mosses, along with other higher plants and soil, were collected from 33 sites for heavy metal measurement. The concentration ranges of Zn, Pb, Cd, and Cu in mosses were 6.07–69.9, 5.36–23.9, 0.60–1.05, and 14.4–50.5 mg·kg−1 (dry weight), respectively, significantly higher than those in other higher plants, except for Zn. The spatial distribution of relative concentrations (RCs; moss to top soil) of HMs varied considerably, indicating distinct differences in atmospheric Zn and Cu pollution levels between the northern and southern QTP. This study first reported that moderate regional atmospheric Cu pollution, primarily due to large-scale mining in recent years, had occurred, particularly in southern QTP. Pb also presented slight pollution due to anthropogenic activities. However, Cd showed almost no atmospheric pollution, while Zn concentrations were relatively high in southern QTP. Although less severe than atmospheric pollution levels in Chinese inland or coastal cities, the atmospheric pollution of Pb and Cu in QTP indicated by mosses were far more severe than global background areas, or even worse than most European cities.

Decadal growth of atmospheric heavy metal pollution in Central India: evidence from sediment geochemistry of Upper Lake Bhopal

Decadal growth of atmospheric heavy metal pollution in Central India: evidence from sediment geochemistry of Upper Lake Bhopal

Long-Term and Multipoint Observations of Atmospheric Heavy Metal (Cu and Cd) Deposition and Accumulation in Soil–Crop System and Human Health Risk Evaluation Around a Large Smelter

Long-Term and Multipoint Observations of Atmospheric Heavy Metal (Cu and Cd) Deposition and Accumulation in Soil–Crop System and Human Health Risk Evaluation Around a Large Smelter

Study on atmospheric heavy metal deposition by environmental tracers surrounding copper smelting

Study on atmospheric heavy metal deposition by environmental tracers surrounding copper smelting

Understanding heavy metal distribution in timberline vegetations: A case from the Gongga Mountain, eastern Tibetan Plateau

To quantify impacts of vegetation and topographic factors on heavy metal accumulation in montane forests, we assessed the spatial distribution and determined the sources of mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) in timberline forests of Gongga Mountain. Our results show that vegetation type has little impact on the soil Hg, Cd and Pb concentrations. The soil concentrations of Cr, Cu and Zn are controlled by litter return, moss and lichen biomass, and canopy interception, with the highest concentrations in shrub forest. In contrast to other forests, the soil Hg pool in coniferous forest is significantly high due to the elevated Hg concentration and greater biomass production in litter. However, the soil pool sizes of Cd, Cr, Cu and Zn show a distinct increase along the elevation, which are attributed to the elevated heavy metal inputs from litter and moss, as well as the greater cloud water-induced atmospheric heavy metal depositions. The highest Hg concentrations of the aboveground parts of plant are in the foliage and bark, while the concentrations of Cd, Pb, Cr, Cu and Zn in the branch and bark are the highest. The decreased biomass density leads to a downward trend in the total vegetation pool sizes of Hg, Cd, Pb, Cr, Cu and Zn by 0.4–4.4 times with increasing elevation. The statistical analysis finally suggests that Hg, Cd and Pb mainly originate from anthropogenic atmospheric deposition, whereas Cr, Cu and Zn are mainly from natural sources. Our results highlight the importance of vegetation types and terrain conditions on distribution patterns of heavy metal in alpine forests.