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<p>Gold plays a pivotal role in modern industry, technology, and national defense. While gold mining significantly drives economic development and employment, the disposal of mine tailings can facilitate the migration of potentially toxic elements (PTEs), leading to environmental contamination. This study focuses on the already exploited Wangjiawaizi gold mine in the Liaodong region, where 47 soil samples were collected from the surrounding areas. The study evaluates the pollution levels of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in the soil and assesses the associated human health risks. Additionally, the PMF model was employed to analyze the sources of different elements. The geo-accumulation index results reveal the pollution intensity of heavy metals in the soil, ranked as As &gt; Pb &gt; Zn &gt; Cd &gt; Cu &gt; Cr &gt; Ni &gt; Hg. The potential ecological risk index (RI) for PTEs in the study area is calculated at 443.53, indicating a high pollution level. Human health risk assessment highlighted oral ingestion as the dominant exposure pathway, and particular attention should be paid to the carcinogenic risk of arsenic (As) to children. Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) resolved four pollution sources: agricultural activities (primary source of Hg), natural weathering (Cr, Ni, Cu), mining activities (Cd, Pb, Zn, As), and mining waste (As). Notably, As release was facilitated by two factors: mining activities and mine waste, with chemical oxidation and hydrological migration being the main pathways for As dispersion into the soil. Therefore, the specific human health risks posed by arsenic require urgent attention.</p>

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Potentially toxic elements source apportionment and risk assessment in soil around a gold mine in Northeast China

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月10日

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  • Rucan Guo,
  • Changchang Fu,
  • Xucai Zhang,
  • Zhongfang Yang,
  • Huifeng Yang

摘要

Gold plays a pivotal role in modern industry, technology, and national defense. While gold mining significantly drives economic development and employment, the disposal of mine tailings can facilitate the migration of potentially toxic elements (PTEs), leading to environmental contamination. This study focuses on the already exploited Wangjiawaizi gold mine in the Liaodong region, where 47 soil samples were collected from the surrounding areas. The study evaluates the pollution levels of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in the soil and assesses the associated human health risks. Additionally, the PMF model was employed to analyze the sources of different elements. The geo-accumulation index results reveal the pollution intensity of heavy metals in the soil, ranked as As > Pb > Zn > Cd > Cu > Cr > Ni > Hg. The potential ecological risk index (RI) for PTEs in the study area is calculated at 443.53, indicating a high pollution level. Human health risk assessment highlighted oral ingestion as the dominant exposure pathway, and particular attention should be paid to the carcinogenic risk of arsenic (As) to children. Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) resolved four pollution sources: agricultural activities (primary source of Hg), natural weathering (Cr, Ni, Cu), mining activities (Cd, Pb, Zn, As), and mining waste (As). Notably, As release was facilitated by two factors: mining activities and mine waste, with chemical oxidation and hydrological migration being the main pathways for As dispersion into the soil. Therefore, the specific human health risks posed by arsenic require urgent attention.