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Source identification and probabilistic health risk systematic assessment of soil metals and metalloids pollution in a typical coal-industrial city in Weibei, China

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Abstract

Systematic assessment of the ecological and human health risks induced by soil metals and metalloids (MMs) from various sources is critical for pollution control and risk prevention. This study takes Hancheng, a typical coal-industrial city in Weibei, China, as an example and employs the geological accumulation index, potential ecological risk assessment, positive matrix factorization (PMF), and Monte Carlo probabilistic health risk assessment to comprehensively quantify and evaluate regional risks. The results show that among the eight soil metals and metalloids, only the average Cr concentration does not exceed the background value of Shaanxi Province, with all elements influenced by anthropogenic activities. Cd and Hg are identified as the most polluting elements, exhibiting pronounced accumulation and ecological risks. The PMF receptor model reveals four sources: mixed transportation and specific industry sources (28.6%), coal-fired sources (31.2%), natural sources (29.1%), and industrial emissions (11.1%), with human-induced sources collectively contributing 70.9%. The geological background of the study area and coal industrial activities exert a synergistic enhancing effect on soil MMs pollution. By integrating the Monte Carlo method with the PMF model, the source-contribution-based probabilistic health risk assessment indicates that children face higher health risks than adults, and the combined effect of multiple MMs significantly increases health risks compared to individual elements. Transportation-related and industrial sources are major contributors to human health risks, with As, Ni, and Cd prioritized as pollutants due to their elevated concentrations. These findings offer a scientific basis for targeted pollution prevention and prioritized management in coal-industrial cities, supporting efforts to mitigate regional ecological and health risks.

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Data availability

In accordance with the confidentiality requirements for data management of the China Geological Survey, the raw data cannot be made publicly available; however, it can be obtained from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

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Funding

This work was supported by the Project of China Geological Survey (Grant No. DD20242461, DD20242563 and DD20220868) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. U2344227).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Xi’an Mineral Resources Survey, China Geological Survery, No.7 Fengqi West Road, Xi’an, 710100, China

    Xinbin Li, Chengxin Kang, Junsheng Xi & Jianghua Zhang

  2. Qinling-Loess Plateau Transition Zone Observation and Research Station for Coupling of Soil and Water Elements and Conservation of Biological Resources, Weinan, 714000, China

    Xinbin Li, Chengxin Kang, Junsheng Xi & Jianghua Zhang

  3. School of Land Engineering, Chang’an University, Xi’an, 710064, Shaanxi, China

    Ming Liu

  4. National Center of Comprehensive Natural Resources Survey, China Geological Survey, Beijing, 100055, China

    Zhiqiang Yin

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A. wrote the main manuscript text and prepared the figures; B.C. designed the research plan, data collection, and performed data analysis; D. contributed to the conceptualization of the manuscript; E. reviewed the manuscript; F. contributed to the conceptualization, provided funding support, and reviewed the manuscript. All authors reviewed and revised the manuscript.

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Li, X., Kang, C., Xi, J. et al. Source identification and probabilistic health risk systematic assessment of soil metals and metalloids pollution in a typical coal-industrial city in Weibei, China.
Sci Rep (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-37561-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-37561-4

Keywords

  • Soil metal and metalloid contamination
  • Spatial distribution
  • Source apportionment
  • Human health risk assessment
  • Priority control pollutants

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The smallest tetrapod from the Middle Triassic of South America: a new procolophonoid parareptile from the Ladinian of Southern Brazil

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