Source and Risk Assessment of Trace Metals in Red Soils from Yunnan Province, Southwest China

摘要

Trace metal pollution is one of the most concerning issues in Yunnan province, where red soil is the dominant soil. To investigate the sources of trace metals and assess their pollution level and potential risk, trace metal concentrations are measured in two red soil profiles from Yunnan province. Results show that Cr, As, and Zn are the most abundant trace metals in both profiles, and As and Cr might be pollutants because their concentrations are higher than the background values and the average concentrations in global soils from China, Japan, the UK, and the USA. The correlation matrix and principal component analysis exhibited that As and Cr are affected by mining activities. The single factor index and Nemero pollution index explained that the enrichment of As and Cr can lead to light pollution. The risk index (RI) values of trace metals exhibited a low ecological risk, of which the RI values of As and Cd in S1 are higher, implying a higher soil pollution level in south Yunnan. Furthermore, the HI results indicated that As can cause non-carcinogenic risk on human health. This study is to help developing the management and preventing contamination of trace metals in red soils.