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<p>Technology-critical elements (TCEs) are recognized as emerging environmental contaminants due to rapid urbanization and the expansion of high-technology industries. Nevertheless, information on their distribution and potential health impacts in Latin-American metropolitan areas remains limited. This study provides the first integrated assessment of selected TCEs (V, Co, Rb, Sb, La, Ce, Nd, and Th) in urban and industrial soils of the Monterrey Metropolitan Area (MMA), northern Mexico. Surface soil samples were analyzed by ICP-MS, and geochemical indices, spatial interpolation, multivariate statistics, and human health risk models were applied to evaluate contamination levels, potential sources, and exposure risks. Results show that MMA soils are characterized by neutral to slightly alkaline conditions, moderate organic matter content, and mineral assemblages dominated by silicates and carbonates, which favor TCE retention. Element concentrations showed heterogeneous spatial patterns mainly influenced by lithogenic background, with localized enrichment linked to industrial and traffic sources. V and Rb displayed the highest concentrations, while Sb showed moderate enrichment linked to traffic-related sources. Statistical analyses identified two main controlling factors: a lithogenic component governing rare earth elements and Rb, and localized anthropogenic inputs affecting Sb and partly V. Health risks were generally low for most analyzed elements; however, V showed a potential non-carcinogenic risk for children (HI &gt; 1), indicating a localized concern in highly impacted areas. Given the limited number of sampling sites, the spatial distribution patterns should be interpreted as exploratory trends rather than detailed contamination maps. These findings nonetheless establish a first geochemical baseline for TCEs in the MMA.</p>

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Occurrence, spatial distribution, and health risk of technology-critical elements in urban and industrial soils of Monterrey, Mexico: a first baseline investigation

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月21日

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  • Erika Maribel Castillo-García,
  • Benedetto Schiavo,
  • Juan Manuel Alfaro-Barbosa,
  • Gloria Lourdes Dimas-Rivera,
  • Ladislao Sandoval-Rangel,
  • Adriana Karina Leura-Vicencio

摘要

Technology-critical elements (TCEs) are recognized as emerging environmental contaminants due to rapid urbanization and the expansion of high-technology industries. Nevertheless, information on their distribution and potential health impacts in Latin-American metropolitan areas remains limited. This study provides the first integrated assessment of selected TCEs (V, Co, Rb, Sb, La, Ce, Nd, and Th) in urban and industrial soils of the Monterrey Metropolitan Area (MMA), northern Mexico. Surface soil samples were analyzed by ICP-MS, and geochemical indices, spatial interpolation, multivariate statistics, and human health risk models were applied to evaluate contamination levels, potential sources, and exposure risks. Results show that MMA soils are characterized by neutral to slightly alkaline conditions, moderate organic matter content, and mineral assemblages dominated by silicates and carbonates, which favor TCE retention. Element concentrations showed heterogeneous spatial patterns mainly influenced by lithogenic background, with localized enrichment linked to industrial and traffic sources. V and Rb displayed the highest concentrations, while Sb showed moderate enrichment linked to traffic-related sources. Statistical analyses identified two main controlling factors: a lithogenic component governing rare earth elements and Rb, and localized anthropogenic inputs affecting Sb and partly V. Health risks were generally low for most analyzed elements; however, V showed a potential non-carcinogenic risk for children (HI > 1), indicating a localized concern in highly impacted areas. Given the limited number of sampling sites, the spatial distribution patterns should be interpreted as exploratory trends rather than detailed contamination maps. These findings nonetheless establish a first geochemical baseline for TCEs in the MMA.