Work

Identification of priority factors for risk control of potentially toxic elements in re-suspended surface dust of a typical industrial city

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Re -suspended surface dust (RSD) that accumulates potentially toxic elements (PTEs) can be transported to other areas, increasing environmental risk. The risks and sources of PTEs in the RSD of most industrial cities, as well as the priority of sources and pollutants to be controlled, are unknown. Xingtai, a typical industrial city, was taken as an instance. In this research, the sources of PTEs in the RSD were apportioned quantitatively using the positive matrix factorization model. The eco-health risks posed by the specific sources of PTEs were assessed using the Monte Carlo simulation method. The priority factors for controlling the risk of PTEs were identified. We found that the levels of all PTEs in Xingtai RSD exceeded the soil background values. Zn, Pb, and Co exhibited moderate to very high enrichment in 89.92 %, 81.84 %, and 100 % of samples, respectively. The three sources of PTEs identified in the RSD were traffic source, building source, natural and industrial mixed source, accounting for 38.04 %, 26.87 %, and 35.08 % of the total PTE concentrations, respectively. The ecological risk of PTEs in the RSD of the study area was serious. The carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk of PTEs to minors in the area cannot be ignored. Traffic source was the priority source of ecological health risks, and Ni and Cr were the priority PTEs.

Source: Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology

DOI: 10.1016/j.enceco.2025.11.017

Authors: Hanrui Zhang, Xinwei Lu, Zhenze Wang, Tengyi Huang, Kai Lei, Lingqing Wang

Institutions: Shaanxi Normal University, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Xi’an University

Language: English

Topic: Heavy metals in environment

Subfield: Pollution

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Sustainable cities and communities

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $700