Study on Spatial Distribution Characteristics, Health Risk Assessment, and Source Apportionment of Heavy Metals in Soils of Tungsten Mining Areas in Southern Anhui Province

Abstract

To investigate soil heavy metal pollution in tungsten mining areas of southern Anhui Province, this study selects a typical mining area as the research object. Tungsten resources are closely related to advanced engineering applications, including electromagnetic materials, microwave devices, and high-performance electronic components; therefore, environmental assessment of mining areas has practical significance for sustainable resource utilization. The results show that the average contents of W, As, and Cd in the soils of the study area are 186.25 mg/kg, 27.36 mg/kg, and 1.28 mg/kg, respectively, which are much higher than the soil background values of Anhui Province. In terms of spatial distribution, the pollution presents a pattern of high values in the central mining area and low values in surrounding areas, with high-value zones mainly concentrated around open-pit mines and tailings ponds. The average potential ecological risk index is 456.32, indicating a high ecological risk level, and Cd and As are identified as the main pollution factors. Health risk assessment shows that, after correction using the Total Toxic Dose (TTD) model, the average health index (HI) of children is 1.28, with crop consumption as the main exposure pathway. The findings provide a scientific basis for soil pollution control and environmental management in tungsten mining areas, and support sustainable development of resource supply chains related to electromagnetic and microwave engineering materials.