Characterization and Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Topsoil of Agricultural Land from an Agate Dyeing Village

Abstract

In order to explore the heavy metal pollution caused by agate dyeing to the surrounding farmland, 118 of soil samples were collected from farmland surround an agate dyeing village. Metal concentrations and soil contamination of Cd, Hg, As, Pb, Cr, Cu, Ni and Zn were analyzed. Ecological risk assessment and health risk via oral ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact for residents were also assessed. The Nemerrow complex indices index value of eight heavy metals belongs to warning line. High-value areas of Ni are located around villages, due to the presence of metallic Ni in the agate stain. The risk assessment shows that the potential ecological risk of study area belongs to low and medium level, the total carcinogenic risk of children and adults exceed 10-6, belongs to unacceptable risk and the total non-carcinogenic hazard quotients belongs to acceptable risk. Oral ingestion is also the main pathway of exposure.

Keywords: Heavy metal, Agriculture land, Agate dyeing, Risk assessment