Abstract

This study assessed potentially toxic elements (PTEs) contamination in Tummina's agricultural area and discussed the sources and spatial distribution of the targeted elements. The study results revealed that the median concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, cobalt, nickel, copper, and zinc found in the soils align with the local geochemical baseline levels (LGB) of PTEs, indicating the lack of enrichment of these PTEs. Our comprehensive analysis of the soil pollution indices indicated that the study area is moderately enrichment with arsenic, cadmium, and lead. The ecological risk factor (Er) highlighted that Cd in the surficial soils poses a high risk (80 ≤ Er ＜ 160), whereas the other PTEs had a low Er. The investigation area had a median potential ecological risk index (RI) value of 69.45 in the surface soils, representing a moderate ecological risk. However, the P90 of the RI value was significantly higher, signifying a high ecological risk at 134.31. Cd was the primary contributor to RI, followed by As, Co, Pd, Ni, and Cu. PCA and HCA results demonstrated that Co, Cr, and Ni could originate from lithogenic sources. This study provides a confident understanding of the PTE levels and the need for further investigation in the study area.