Wei Denghui, Yang Shiming, Zou Lin, Torres-Martínez Juan Antonio, Zheng Yanhong, Hu Qili, Zhang Yunhui
Faculty of Geosciences and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, 611756, China.
Ecology and Environment Monitoring Center of Hunan Province, Changsha, 410014, China.
J Environ Manage. 2025 Mar;377:124691. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.124691. Epub 2025 Feb 27.
Groundwater is a vital natural resource, but the presence of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) poses significant risks to both groundwater safety and human health. This study collected 120 groundwater samples from a coastal area in southeastern China during wet and dry seasons to assess PTE levels, identify their sources, and evaluate pollution and health risks. Results showed that Mn, Zn, and Al had the highest average concentrations in both seasons, with Mn, Cd, and Zn frequently exceeding safe limits. PTE levels were higher during the wet season. Natural background levels (NBLs) were determined, revealing that most elements met quality standards except for Mn and Cd. Four PTE sources were identified using principal component analysis and the APCS-MLR model: industrial emissions (25.5% dry, 23.8% wet), geological background (21.2% dry, 19% wet), natural sources (27.2% dry, 16.2% wet), and mining activities (20.8% dry, 23.4% wet). Heavy metal pollution was significant (moderate to heavy: 72.73% dry, 45.76% wet), but ecological risks were low (low risk: 92.73% dry, 66.10% wet). Health risk assessments and Monte Carlo simulations indicated low carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks, slightly higher in children than adults. Risks were more severe in the southwestern part of the study area. These findings support local groundwater management efforts.
地下水是一种至关重要的自然资源，但潜在有毒元素（PTEs）的存在对地下水安全和人类健康都构成了重大风险。本研究在雨季和旱季从中国东南部沿海地区采集了120份地下水样本，以评估PTEs水平、确定其来源并评估污染和健康风险。结果表明，锰、锌和铝在两个季节中的平均浓度最高，其中锰、镉和锌经常超过安全限值。雨季的PTEs水平更高。确定了自然背景水平（NBLs），结果显示除锰和镉外，大多数元素均符合质量标准。使用主成分分析和APCS-MLR模型确定了四种PTEs来源：工业排放（旱季25.5%，雨季23.8%）、地质背景（旱季21.2%，雨季19%）、自然来源（旱季27.2%，雨季16.2%）和采矿活动（旱季20.8%，雨季23.4%）。重金属污染严重（中度至重度：旱季72.73%，雨季45.76%），但生态风险较低（低风险：旱季92.73%，雨季66.10%）。健康风险评估和蒙特卡洛模拟表明致癌和非致癌风险较低，儿童的风险略高于成人。研究区域西南部的风险更为严重。这些发现为当地的地下水管理工作提供了支持。
