Source Apportionment and Risk Assessment of Soil Heavy Metals due to Railroad Activity Using a Positive Matrix Factorization Approach

The effects of railway operation on soil environments are an important topic. In this research, samples were collected from two diesel-driven railways and electric in Japan. A positive matrix factorization (PMF) model was applied to investigate the sources eight heavy metals near railways. results showed that dominant anthropogenic source study areas among five potential sources, with contributions ranging 11.73% 42.55%. Compared electricity-driven railways, effect larger. environmental risk-assessment analysis suggested soils selected fall within weak-to-extremely strong contamination category, experienced moderate-to-extremely ecological risk. health risk assessment revealed presented both noncarcinogenic carcinogenic risks for children, ingestion as principal exposure pathway. PMF-Environment Risk Assessment PMF-Human Health models developed obtain human every category. Railway regarded major factor influencing ecology at sampling sites. However, sites, natural dominant.