biostudies-literatureZhang XGuangxi Science and Technology Base and Talent Special Project746https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12473787biostudies-literatureUnknown13(9)Ferromanganese nodules exhibit strong capacity for heavy metal immobilization and are thus a crucial contributor to the high geological background in karst areas. Heavy metals sequestered within ferromanganese nodules display low bioavailability, which leads to an overestimation of ecological risk in areas with high geological backgrounds. However, limited attention is given to the enrichment process of heavy metals and the overestimated ecological risk of ferromanganese nodules in karst areas. Here, the surface soils and ferromanganese nodules are collected from a region dominated by carbonate and clastic rocks to investigate the enrichment of heavy metals (Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Pb, and Hg), the influence of parent rock, and their ecological implications in Northeastern Guangxi. ResultsToxicsHeavy Metal Enrichment in Ferromanganese Nodules and Soil Ecological Risk Assessment in the Karst Area with High Geological Background.PMC12473787Guike AD21220081Zhang XHuang HLu SWang HSu JWei GSu YfalseHeavy Metal Enrichment in Ferromanganese Nodules and Soil Ecological Risk Assessment in the Karst Area with High Geological Background.Ferromanganese nodules exhibit strong capacity for heavy metal immobilization and are thus a crucial contributor to the high geological background in karst areas. Heavy metals sequestered within ferromanganese nodules display low bioavailability, which leads to an overestimation of ecological risk in areas with high geological backgrounds. However, limited attention is given to the enrichment process of heavy metals and the overestimated ecological risk of ferromanganese nodules in karst areas. Here, the surface soils and ferromanganese nodules are collected from a region dominated by carbonate and clastic rocks to investigate the enrichment of heavy metals (Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Pb, and Hg), the influence of parent rock, and their ecological implications in Northeastern Guangxi. Results2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Aug2026-05-02T03:20:01.49Z2026-05-02T03:09:11.365ZS-EPMC124737874101236610.3390/toxics13090746