Source Analysis and Contamination Assessment of Potentially Toxic Element in Soil of Small Watershed in Mountainous Area of Southern Henan, China

In this study, the concentrations of potentially toxic elements in 283 topsoil samples were determined. Håkanson toxicity response coefficient modified matter element extension model was introduced to evaluate the soil elements contamination, and the results were compared with the pollution index method. The sources and spatial distribution of soil elements were analyzed by the combination of the PMF model and IDW interpolation. The results are as follows, 1: The concentration distribution of potentially toxic elements is different in space. Higher concentrations were found in the vicinity of the mining area and farmland. 2: The weight of all elements has changed significantly. The evaluation result of the matter-element extension model shows that 68.55% of the topsoil in the study area is clean soil, and Hg is the main contamination element. The evaluation result is roughly the same as that of the pollution index method, indicating that the evaluation result of the matter-element extension model with modified is accurate and reasonable. 3: Potentially toxic elements mainly come from the mixed sources of atmospheric sedimentation and agricultural activities (22.59%), the mixed sources of agricultural activities and mining (20.26%), the mixed sources of traffic activities, nature and mining (36.30%), the mixed sources of pesticide use and soil parent material (20.85%).