ECOLOGICAL HAZARD AND HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT OF TRACE ELEMENTS IN URBAN TOPSOIL OF ANHUI PROVINCE, CHINA

摘要

The data of trace elements content in urban topsoil of Anhui province were collected and aggregated to study the distribution characteristics, the degree of ecological hazard and the risk to human health of trace elements in urban topsoil. The results show that the average contents of Pb, Cr, Cd, Cu, Ni, Zn, As and Hg in topsoil of Anhui province are 39.41, 60.23, 0.40, 105.38, 36.50, 127.39, 18.75 and 0.13mg/kg, respectively. All trace elements, except Cr, are higher than the background value. Trace elements such as Cu, Cd and Hg are severely polluted, As and Zn are moderately polluted, Pb and Ni are slightly polluted, and Cr is near the warning limit. Furthermore, Hg and Cd are strong ecological hazards, while Zn, Cu, Cr, Pb, Ni and As are slight ecological hazards. In general, the trace elements in urban topsoil of Anhui province are severely polluted and in the level of strong ecological hazard. The trace elements in urban topsoil of Anhui province have certain non-carcinogenic health risks to children, but to adults the risk is not significant. The carcinogenic health risks of Cr, Cd, Ni and As are in the safe range and do not have obvious carcinogenic health risks to the population. Children suffer higher health risks than adults, and toxic trace elements are more harmful to children.