# Ecological Risk Assessment Is a Living Science: A Study on Heavy Metal(loid) Contamination in Typical Greenhouse Production Systems in Central China

## TL;DR

This study assesses heavy metal contamination in greenhouse soils and vegetables in Central China, highlighting health risks and the need for better management.

## Contribution

The study provides updated insights into heavy metal contamination levels and their ecological risks in greenhouse systems using recent environmental standards.

## Key findings

- Cadmium and Ni exceeded Chinese standards in soils, while multiple metals exceeded international standards.
- Vegetable metal contents exceeded both domestic and international limits, indicating significant contamination.
- Hg and Cd pollution in Zhanghe and Lishi soils pose the highest ecological risk.

## Abstract

To clarify the heavy metal(loid) contamination characteristics and health risk in nine typical greenhouse production areas in Jingmen, Central China, the total concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn in 176 soils and 332 vegetables were analyzed. Cadmium (100%) and Ni (4/44) exceeded the Chinese standard limits, while As (36/44), Cd (36/44), Cr (9/44), and Ni (1/44) exceeded the international soil quality standards. The As, Cd, Cr, Ni, and Pb contents in all vegetables were over both the domestic and international standard limitations. The soil pollution levels of Hg and Cd and the potential ecological risk in Zhanghe and Lishi require more attention. Significant levels of Cu, Pb, and Cr in the soil and Hg, Ni, and Cu in edible vegetable parts were suggested to be mainly caused by daily agricultural production management. Although non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks to vegetable consumers and greenhouse workers are acceptable across different age groups, more scientific management and remediation must be carried out simultaneously for sustainable production in the future, especially in GD and ZH. Updated standard values for the environment and food, together with the 2023 updated soil geochemical background values, should be applied in time.