Ecological and Health Risk Assessment of Potentially Toxic Elements in Soils from Black Soil Region, Northeast China

Abstract

In order to understand the pollution status of potentially toxic elements (Hg, Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, Zn, As, and Cu) in the surface farmland soil of black soil in Northeast China and its impact on human health, Hailun City, a representative area of black soil in Northeast China, was selected as the study area. The pollution degree, ecological risk, and health risk of soil and potentially toxic elements in this area were evaluated by the index of geoaccumulation method (Igeo), the potential ecological hazard index method (RI), and the health risk assessment model (HRA). The results showed that the average contents of eight potentially toxic elements in the soil in this area were higher than the soil background value in Hailun City, showing different degrees of accumulation. There are Cd and Hg pollution and ecological risks in the soil of Hailun City. Cd has slight, medium, strong, and extremely strong ecological risks, and the risk index ranges from 19.32 to 751.64; Hg takes second place. Children are more vulnerable to the health threat of potentially toxic elements, and oral intake is the main source of soil exposure risk. The potentially toxic elements As and Cr are more likely to cause human health risks.