Determination of priority control factors for the management of soil trace metal(loid)s based on source-oriented health risk assessment

Trace metal(loid)s (TMs) in soils can seriously threaten the ecological environment and human health. With the limitation of resources and costs, determining priority control factor is critical for managing soil TM pollution. To explore the pollution characteristics, source apportionment, and human health risk of TMs, a total of 209 surface soil samples were collected from Anqing City, China. Results showed that all the average values of TM con-centration, except for Cr, were higher than their corresponding background value. Using a Positive matrix factorization model coupled with Correlation analysis, four sources (including agricultural sources, atmospheric deposition sources, industrial sources, and natural sources) were identified as the determinants for the accu-mulation of soil TMs, with the contribution rates of 12.4%, 8.1%, 64.1%, and 15.4%, respectively. The assess-ment of probabilistic health risks revealed that Non-carcinogenic risks of all populations were acceptable (HI 1), while Carcinogenic risks were all at a high level (TCR 10E-04). Agricultural pollution and As were identified as priority control factors, according to the analysis results of the relationship among TMs, pollution sources and health risks. Our findings provide scientific support for decision-makers to formulate target control policies and reduce management costs of soil pollution.

Automated summary

The study identified agricultural pollution and As as priority control factors in soil trace metal pollution, providing scientific support for decision-makers to formulate target control policies and reduce management costs.