Heavy metal accumulation risk and source analysis in soils of antimony mining areas.

ABSTRACT: Co-contamination of heavy metals from antimony (Sb) mining poses significant threats to soil quality and human health. Although many studies have examined Sb sources, few have provided quantitative source apportionment combined with population-specific risk assessment. This study examined a representative Sb mining area in southwestern China through an integrated approach. The methodology combined Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF), Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS), the geo-accumulation index (I_geo), the enrichment factor (EF), the modified Nemerow pollution index (I_NI), and health risk assessment models. Results indicated a mean Sb concentration of 125.61 mg·kg^-1, nearly 50 times the regional background value (2.50 mg·kg^-1), with pronounced spatial

SUBMITTER: He J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12618511 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature