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A total of 128 surface soil samples were collected, and eight heavy metals, including As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Ni, Zn, and Hg, were analyzed for their concentrations, potential ecological risks, and human health risks. The mean concentrations of these eight metals were lower than the soil environmental quality standards in China, while they were slightly higher than the background values in Shanxi Province. The enrichment factor, coefficient variation, and potential ecological risk index were used to assess the pollution and eco-risk level of heavy metals, among which, Cd and Hg showed higher pollution levels and potential risks than the others in the studied area. Moreover, multivariate geostatistical analysis suggested that Hg originated mainly from point sources such as industrial emissions, while agricultural activity is the predominant factor for Cd. The human health risk assessment indicated that non-carcinogenic values were below the threshold values. The total carcinogenic risks due to As, Cr, and Ni were within the acceptable range for adults, while for children, they were higher than the threshold value (1.0E−04), indicating that children are facing higher threat to heavy metals in soils. These results provide basic information on heavy metal pollution control and human health risk assessment management in the study regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Ni, Zn, and Hg in 128 surface soil samples from Xiangfen County, Shanxi Province, China were measured. The concentrations of these eight heavy metals were lower than the critical values in the national soil quality standard. However, these concentrations were found to be slightly higher than their background values in soils in Shanxi Province, indicating enrichment of these metals in soils in Xiangfen County, especially for Hg and Cd. Principal component analysis coupled with cluster analysis was used to analyze the data and identify possible sources of these heavy metals; the results showed that the eight heavy metals in soils from Xiangfen County came from three different sources. Lead, Cd, Cu and Zn mainly arose from agricultural practices and vehicle emissions. Arsenic and Ni arose mainly from parent materials. Industrial practices were the main sources of Cr and Hg. The spatial distribution of the heavy metals varied greatly, and was closely correlated to local anthropogenic activities. This study will be helpful not only for improving local soil environmental quality but will also provide a basis for effectively targeting policies to protect soils from long-term heavy metal accumulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy metal (loid)s (HMs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soils from a typical industrial county of Shanxi were synchronously measured to determine the spatial clustering of combined HMs and PAHs pollution, and the resulting source-specific health risks. The spatial interaction of HMs and PAHs was determined by the Moran's I index, and a bivariate local indicators of spatial association (LISA) analysis showed that the high HMs-high PAHs clusters were mainly distributed in Fencheng and Xijia towns, as well as the main urban areas of Xiangfen County. The spatial clusters of high naphthalene (Nap)-high HMs were more obvious than those of high benzo(a)pyrene (Bap)-high HMs. Based on positive matrix factorization (PMF), four sources were identified for both HMs and PAHs, with coal consumption and industrial emission identified as common sources of both pollutants. The source-oriented health risk was determined using an improved health risk assessment model. The cancer risk from the combined pollution industrial emissions was relatively serious for both adults and children, with the risk value exceeding 10−6. Therefore, special attention should be paid to emission control. Based on spatial clustering and source-specific health risk assessment, the largest risk areas and pollutant sources were in the main urban areas of Fencheng and Xijia towns. The spatial interaction patterns and source-specific HMs and PAHs pollution concentrations provide a basis for effective pollution management and control. Finally, a systematic framework for reference was proposed for risk area identification and analysis of the source-oriented health risks of combined HMs and PAHs pollution. • The spatial cluster patterns of heavy metals and PAHs in soil were identified. • Source-oriented risks of synchronous heavy metals and PAHs were studied. •Coal and industry emission are the synchronous sources for combined pollution. •Industrial emission is the main pollution source of combined pollution risk. •A methodology framework was proposed for identify compound pollution risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]