APCS–MLR-based source and ecological risk assessment of potentially toxic elements in farmland soils of Republic of Korea

In recent years, farmland soil contamination with potentially toxic elements (PTEs) using various ecological and health risk assessment tools has gained more interest. However, such intensive studies are limited in the rapidly urbanizing areas like Jeon-Nam, Korea. The objective of this study was to evaluate pollution risks based on ecological and health risk indices in farmland soils in the vicinity of ten industrial complexes of Jeon-Nam province, Korea. For the purpose, 100 soil samples were analyzed for PTEs contamination, followed by ecological and human health risk assessment. The As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn concentration were from 3.29–22.7, 0.51–3.49, 3.16–81.9, 6.94–138, 0.01–0.24, 1.74–63.6, 14.1–69.6 and 39.6–184, respectively, revealed substantial variation across different sampling points; nevertheless, all PTEs were found to be below the Soil Contamination Warning Standard (SCWS), as set by the Soil Environment Conservation Law (SECL) and the Ministry of Environment (MOE) regulations for cultivated lands in Korea. The pollution load indices ( PI/PLI ) and Nemerow's risk assessment ( NIRI , NIPI ) demonstrate low to considerable contamination. The Geo-accumulation index ( Igeo ) is categorized as unpolluted to moderately polluted, and the potential ecological risk index ( PERI ) as low to moderate ecological risk. The comprehensive risk score index ( CPRSi ) revealed extremely high risk for Cd, while moderate to low risk for other PTEs. The APCS-MLR results revealed the As, Cd, Cr, and Ni contributions were 50.3 %, 60.7 %, 69.7 %, and 70.8 %, respectively, suggesting these PTEs are originated from anthropogenic sources. The contributions of Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn were 49.6 %, 79.6 %, 29.7 %, and 73.1 %, respectively, indicating that their presence in the soil results from a combination of natural and anthropogenic sources. Furthermore, the health risk assessment revealed that children were more vulnerable to contamination, regardless of whether the risk was carcinogenic or non-carcinogenic. No significant carcinogenic or non-carcinogenic risks were observed for either children or adults, except for cadmium (Cd), where the HI surpassed the threshold limit ( HI > 1). Our finding provides valuable information for policymakers on how to reduce the risk of agricultural soil contamination from industrial complexes and potential impacts on the ecological and human environment.