Characteristics and Health Risk Assessment of Potentially Toxic Metals in Urban Topsoil in Shenyang City, Northeast China

Abstract

Soil samples are collected from 74 sites in Shenyang city, northeast China, and the concentrations, spatial distribution, enrichment factors (EF), and potential ecological and human health risk (Er) of potentially toxic metals (Sr, Zn, Cr, Pb, Cu, Ni, and As) are investigated. The mean concentrations of potentially toxic metals in topsoil follow the order Sr > Zn > Cr > Pb > Cu > Ni > As. Compared with 2011, the contamination magnitude has improved in 2017, but the pollution status still exists, especially for As and Cr. EF and the mean Er of potentially toxic metals decrease following the order As > Pb > Cu > Ni > Zn > Cr > Sr and As > Cu > Zn > Pb > Sr > Ni > Cr, suggesting that the potentially toxic metals in the topsoil of Shenyang city mainly come from natural sources, and the potential ecological risk for potentially toxic metals is low. There are potentially non‐carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks, but they are not considered significant. For non‐carcinogenic health risks, oral ingestion is the main exposure pathway, and Cr and Pb are the major pollutants. Finally, As is found to be the main carcinogenic contamination metal.

Potentially Toxic Metals in Sediments from Liao River Estuary Wetland: Concentration, Source, and Risk Assessment

“…With the rapid development of population-scale and economic society, a large number of pollutants, such as potentially toxic DOI: 10.1002/clen.202100470 metals, are released into the environment, originating from industrial activities, fertilization, waste disposal, and so on. [1,2] Potentially toxic metals pollution is recognized as one of the most serious environmental problems in many parts of the world. [3,4] Due to the fact that potentially toxic metals do not easily migrate or break down in natural processes, and can accumulate in the sediments over time, they directly affect the physical and chemical properties of the sediments.…”

Vertical Migration of Copper and Zinc Ions in Soils Polluted by Electroplating Sludge

“…According to the existing theories, [ 9–13 ] migration of PTM, including Cu 2+ and Zn 2+ from solid waste is determined by the convective mass transfer through porous media, properties of chemical elements and their ability to form soluble and chemically inert compounds, and physicochemical properties of soils and solutions. In the literature [ 9,13 ] the dynamics of the distribution of mobile forms of Cu 2+ and Zn 2+ in various soils was studied; experimental data on migration and accumulation of these metals in soil profile are shown.…”

“…Copper migration showed the most significant response on different water conservation regimes. [ 12 ] Angelovicova and Fazekasova proved the dependence of the intensity of vertical migration of Cu 2+ and Zn 2+ on soil type and chemical element [ 13 ] ; the increase of Cu 2+ and Zn 2+ concentrations in the profile of Chernozem was found. Meanwhile, Zn 2+ concentration decreases while migrating in typical Chernozem.…”