Assessment of ecological and human health risks of heavy metals in soils and Polygonatum sibiricum plants from various cultivation areas in China.

Abstract

In this study, we collected 528 samples from 7 important Polygonatum sibiricum (P. sibiricum) planting areas in China. The P. sibiricum samples were classified into P. sibiricum Red., P. cyrtonema Hua. and P. kiugianum Col.et Hemsl. The content of the Cu, As, Zn, Cd, Pb, and Cr in P. sibiricum and soil were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and the ecological and health risks were evaluated. The results showed that addition to Cu, the soil exhibits varying degrees of excessive pollution from Zn, As, Pb, Cd, and Cr exceeding permissible levels (GB15618 - 2018, Soil environmental quality-Risk control standard for soil contamination of agricultural land in China). Among them, 31.56% Zn, 22.43% As, and 22.05% Cd in soil exceeded the GB 15618 - 2018 standard. Additionally, three types of P. sibiricum soil have risks, with the risk level being P. cyrtonema Hua. > P. kiugianum Col.et Hemsl. > P. sibiricum Red. It was worth noting that the practice of artificial cultivation management may reduce the amount of As, Cd, and Cr in the soil while increasing the amount of Zn. The order of P. sibiricum bioaccumulating ability in different heavy metals was: Cd > Zn > Cu > Cr > As > Pb, and it had good tolerance to As, Pb, and Cr. In addition, the chronic daily intake, hazard quotient and hazard indexes indicate that the current Cu, Hg, As, Cd and Pb contents of P. sibiricum in China do not pose a health risk to humans. In summary, the impact of Cd in P. sibiricum should be given attention.