Characterization, Source Analysis, and Ecological Risk Assessment of Heavy Metal Pollution in Surface Soils from the Central–Western Ali Region on the Tibetan Plateau

Most risk assessment and source apportionment studies of the heavy metals in the surface soils in China have focused primarily on East China, whereas studies focused on Northwest China, particularly regarding heavy metals in surface soils in the central and western areas, remain limited. In this study, surface soils in the central-western Ali region were investigated, and the concentrations of nine heavy metals were determined. Moreover, the distribution patterns and ecological risks of these heavy metals were elucidated via a combination of the geoaccumulation index, pollution load index (PLI), comprehensive potential ecological risk index (RI), and integrated X-ray diffraction (XRD)-multivariate statistical techniques. Additionally, the pollution characteristics and sources were analyzed. The results indicated the following: (1) The spatial distribution of heavy metal pollution is closely linked to the geological background, and high-pollution zones (e.g., Cr, Ni, Co, Cu, As, and Cd) conform well with the distributions of ultramafic rocks and iron/chromite ore beds. The geoaccumulation index revealed that Cd caused slight and moderate contamination at 29.1% and 5.5% of the sites, respectively, whereas As affected 14.6% of the sites. The pollution load index indicated moderate pollution in 20% of the sites, and the potential ecological risk index indicated that 41.8% of the sites posed moderate risks, which was largely driven by Cd (mean Eri = 43.1). The comprehensive ecological risk index (RI = 115) confirmed a moderate risk level overall. Principal component analysis revealed three primary sources: natural weathering (Cr-Ni-Co-Cu, 39.1%); a mixed source influenced by nonagricultural anthropogenic activities such as transport and regional deposition, combined with natural processes such as arid climate and alkaline soil conditions that influence Cd mobility (Cd-Mo-Pb, 20.8%); and industrial/mining activities (As-Sb, 14.2%). Mineralogical analyses further indicated that heavy metals are present via lattice substitution, adsorption, and precipitation. This study systematically clarifies the composite pollution pattern and sources of heavy metals in the alpine Ali region, supporting targeted contamination control.