Risk assessment of soil, water and crops in abandoned Geumryeong mine in South Korea

Risk assessment of environmental media was performed for the inhabitants in the area of the abandoned Geumryeong metal mine. Soil, groundwater, and crop samples were collected during the period from September to October 2008 around the mine. After pretreatment of these samples, metal concentrations were measured using ICP-AEX, ICP-MS, or the Direct Mercury Analyzer, and then a risk assessment was performed using the Korean soil-contamination risk assessment guidelines. Phytoaccumulation of metals was observed in cabbage (Cd) and soybeans (Cd), which had higher metal concentrations than the soil in the area. Among various pathways, the rate of metal intake was highest for inhalation of soil as dust, followed in descending order by crop ingestion, groundwater ingestion, soil ingestion, and soil contact. The daily intake rate of lead (Pb) was highest from inhalation of soil, followed by crop ingestion. Cancer risk was highest from inhalation of Pb-contaminated soil, followed by ingestion of As-contaminated water and inhalation of As-contaminated soil. The sum of carcinogenic risks was 5.81 × 10− 3. Noncarcinogenic risk was highest for ingestion of As-contaminated water (2.11), followed in descending order by Pb-contaminated crops (1.56) and ingestion of Cd-contaminated crops (0.95). Most of the risks were due to As, Cd and Pb contamination; therefore, As, Cd and Pb were considered to be the principal toxic elements for humans in this area. Inhalation of contaminated soil as dust should be considered as part of daily intake and carcinogenic risk assessment along with ingestion of water and crops in abandoned mine areas.

► Phytoaccumulation of cadmium was observed in cabbage and soybeans.
► The daily intake rate of lead (Pb) was highest from inhalation of soil.
► Most of the risks were due to As, Cd and Pb contamination in the area studied.
► Inhalation of contaminated soil as dust should be considered for risk assessment.