Soil thallium distribution and ecological health assessment in mountainous area of eastern Nanyang Basin

Objective In order to find out the soil thallium content characteristics and pollution status in the eastern mountainous area of Nanyang Basin, Methods soil thallium was analyzed by multivariate statistical analysis, enrichment coefficient method, ground accumulation index method, potential ecological risk method and health risk assessment.Results The results showed that the Tl values of surface and deep soil were 0.61 mg/kg and 0.65mg/kg, respectively. The high Tl content in surface and deep soil was mainly distributed in acid granites and small pieces of metamorphic rocks in the study area. The concentration coefficient showed that 96.15% of surface soil Tl samples were clean and 3.85% were mildly enriched. The soil accumulation index showed that 97.53% of surface soil Tl samples were pollution-free and 2.47% were lightly polluted. All soil Tl samples in the study area were at slight potential ecological risk. The results of health risk assessment showed that the total hazard quotient HQ index of non-carcinogenic risk for adults and children was less than 1, and there was no non-carcinogenic health risk of soil Tl. Conclusions Comprehensive analysis showed that the natural geological background not only controlled the content of Tl in soil, but also determined the level and distribution of related parameters, but more attention should be paid to and prevention of soil Tl pollution areas.