In this research, enrichment factor (EF) and pollution load index (PLI)
were utilized to estimate the features of enrichment and contamination
of PTEs in farmland soil. Furthermore, combining the spatial
distribution characteristics of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) and
positive matrix factorization (PMF) to distinguish and quantify the
sources of PTEs in farmland soil, and then the potential ecological risk
(PER) and human health risk (HHR) model based on PMF are applied to
quantify the ecological and human health risks from different sources.
Taking Puning District as an example, four sources of PTEs in farmland
soil were quantitatively allocated. For ecological risk, the study area
is at moderate ecological hazard level, and industrial activities were
the greatest contributor. The mean E_r^i of Hg were 69.82, reaching
medium ecological risk level. For human health risks, both adults and
children have no evident non-carcinogenic risk in the study area. And
natural source was the largest contributor to non-carcinogenic risk,
followed by agricultural activities. With regard to carcinogenic risk,
tolerable risks of soil PTEs in the study area were limited not only for
adults but also for children. Furthermore, compared with adults, the
health risks of children, whether non-carcinogenic or carcinogenic, were
higher than those of adults, and the trends in health risks for children
and adults were similar. A comprehensive scheme combining source
contribution and risk assessment is conducive to quantitatively assess
ecological risks, health risks and priority pollution sources, thereupon
provide effective suggestions for protecting human health and preventing
and controlling pollution.
Distribution, pollution, and human health risks of persistent and potentially toxic elements in the sediments around Hainan Island, China
