Chemical Composition of PM_(2.5) at an Urban Site of Chengdu in Southwestern China

PM2.5 aerosols were sampled in urban Chengdu from April 2009 to January 2010, and their chemical compositions were characterized in detail for elements, water soluble inorganic ions, and carbonaceous mat- ter. The annual average of PM2.5 was 165 btg m a, which is generally higher than measurements in other Chinese cities, suggesting serious particulate pollution issues in the city. Water soluble ions contributed 43.5% to the annual total PM2.5 mass, carbonaceous aerosols including elemental carbon and organic car- bon contributed 32.0%, and trace elements contributed 13.8~0. Distinct daily and seasonal variations were observed in the mass concentrations of PM2.5 and its components, reflecting the seasonal variations of dif- ferent anthropogenic and natural sources. Weakly acidic to neutral particles were found for PMz5. Major sources of PM2.u identified from source apportionment analysis included coal combustion, traffic exhaust, biomass burning, soil dust, and construction dust emissions. The low nitrate： sulfate ratio suggested that stationary emissions were more important than vehicle emissions. The reconstructed masses of ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate, particulate carbonaceous matter, and fine soil accounted for 79% of the total measured PM2.5 mass; they also accounted for 92% of the total measured particle scattering.

Distribution characteristics and environmental risk assessment following metal(loid)s pollution incidents at Southwest China mining site

Limited information is available on long-term effects of metal(loid)s pollution incidents. Here, we analyze the distribution characteristics and quantification of elements in the Southwest China Keda mining site, which is one of the most populated sites and enables human health and ecological risk assessments of elemental pollution. The results on modified degree of contamination indicated that the soil and sediment were highly contaminated near Dahu Lake.The health risk of children was almost 2.5 times that of adults in surface water, and 7.1 times in soil, respectively.Moreover, Tl and As were the main health risk contributors in surface water and soil, respectively, and As posed the highest ecological risk both in soil and sediment. These results indicated the potential impact of toxic metal(loid)s on the health of residents and environment. Hence, more scientific attention and proper management need to be paid to this environmental challenge in the future.

Epiphytic zooplankton community profiles in a typical urban wetland as revealed by DNA metabarcoding

Zooplankton,a crucial component of urban wetland,are one of the effective bioindicators for monitoring the feeding stocks of organisms at higher trophic levels and assessing the ecological quality of ecosystems.However,information about the characteristics of epiphytic zooplankton community structure resulted from traditional methods is limited and hindered by the large amount of detritus and sludge attached to the macrophytes.We investigated the epiphytic zooplankton communities associated with macrophytes(Vallisneria,Nymphaea,and Thalia dealbata)in a subtropical wetland using as DNA markers of the 18 S rRNA gene and the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I(COI)gene.A total of 241 OTUs of zooplankton were obtained from COI amplicons,including 194 OTUs of Rotifera,22 of Cladocera,and 25 of Copepoda,while only 62 OTUs of zooplankton were obtained from 18 S rDNA amplicons including 34 OTUs of Rotifera and 28 of Copepoda.The zooplankton communities associated with the three macrophytes were similar,but they differed significantly from those in the open waters.However,there were no significant temporal differences among the zooplankton communities.Epiphytic zooplankton communities were dominated by littoral zooplankton such as Testudinella,Lecane,and Philodina.Microzooplankton,especially littoral species,utilize macrophytes as food sources and as refuges against predation.This further led to an increase inαandβdiversity of zooplankton communities in urban wetlands.Our result suggests that the joint use of multiple molecular markers could improve the taxonomic resolution and generate a comprehensive biodiversity profile of zooplankton.

Tendency and Control Strategy of Agricultural Environmental Pollution in China

Current situation of China＇s agricultural pollution was elaborated, and the causes of the pollution were analyzed. Moreover, China＇s agri- cultural pollution tendency in the next few years was predicted. In order to control agricultural pollution in China, we should construct a diet structure for health and ecological civilization and create an ecological food chain by establishing a new concept of diet.

Studies on Ecological Monitoring of Plant Community and Plant Diversity in Shenzhen, Southern China

From Jan. 2013 to Nov. 2018, we carried out the investigation on vegetation studies in the ecological monitoring programs, Shenzhen and totally researched 170 plant communities of mountain areas etc., few areas of street regions and parks etc., for communities’ structural characteristics and plant diversity. We comparatively analyzed natural forests, semi-natural forest and artificial forest composition and structural characters and family, genus and species diversity level and the main affected factors. We also researched and analyzed these communities’ structural characteristics and pant diversity, comparatively analyzed natural forests, semi-natural forest and artificial forest composition and structural characters and family, genus and species diversity level, the main affected factors;researched and analyzed the relationship between plant community structure characteristics with the absorbing ability to PM2.5 pollutants. The result showed that the structure and plant diversity of natural forest were obviously better than artificial disturbed forest or artificial forest, the semi-natural forest was the middle level of the forests, In the indices of height, DBH, coverage and crow width etc. of tree layer, natural forests and semi-natural forests were obvious higher than that of artificial disturbed forest or artificial forest;in some forests of artificial disturbed forest or artificial forest, though their richness indices of family and genus were a slightly higher, but this contribution was majorly due to herb layer plants, and some shrub layer plants. Analyzing three kinds of communities, the number of tree layer species of natural forest was the largest, and their every α-diversity index value was the highest;these characteristics values of semi-natural forest were second, artificial disturbed forests or artificial forests were the lowest;in shrub layer, and herb layer, few α-diversity indices of artificial disturbed forest or artificial forest were a slightly higher than that of some natural forests, but the integral values of the diversity indices of natural forest and semi-natural forest were obviously higher than the former. The research showed that in the artificial disturbed forest or artificial forest, because there have some little scale clearing areas, so some pioneer plant species could enter the community and formed a temporarily increase of species diversity, however, these species major were some shrub and herb plants;but tree layer possessed obviously more, even surpassed several ten times biomass than shrub and herb layers. Therefore, the respects of maintain ecosystem stability and other ecological efficient have major and dominated position and so on;and then this community can be natural recovery and succession, those forementioned new entire plants shall withdraw from the community and are replaced by the original plants of the community;but this process has already caused the ecological efficient loss and ecosystem unstable. Above research results are better evidence and theory reference to the argument problems on that are natural forest and natural restoration forest biodiversity higher? or is artificial forest biodiversity higher? and or is more artificial disturbed forest higher? Our researches showed that used random investigation method set quadrats, and combined typical investigation method, the structural indices in the all layer of community and all diversity indices of tree, shrub and herb layers and the integral values were similar, same or usually these indices in the community which set 600 m2, 800 m2 total quatrat area were higher (α-diversity) than that of more than 3000 m2, 4000 m2 or 7000 m2, even more than 17,000 m2 total quadrat area of communities. These lots of researches further proved that according to minimum area method for vegetation survey, in subtropical region, using random investigation method combined with typical investigation set 400 m2 or 400 m2 - 500 m2 total quad

Cadmium in agricultural soils,vegetables and rice and potential health risk in vicinity of Dabaoshan Mine in Shaoguan,China

Soil cadmium(Cd)contamination resulted from mining and smelting is a major environmental concern,and health risk associated with Cd exposure to multi-media through muti-pathway is increasing.Cd concentrations in soils,vegetables and paddy rice were investigated,and potential non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks exposure to Cd were estimated at six villages around the Dabaoshan Mine,South China.A total of 87 soil samples were found to exceed the China's maximum permission level(MPL)for Cd,while the highest value of 4.42 mg/kg was found near irrigation ditch associated with Hengshi River in Xinyi(XY)Village.Cd contents in vegetables and rice exceeded the maximum permissible concentration by more than five times in every village.Cadmium accumulation in plants is in the order of celery>lactuca sativa L>Chinese cabbage>Romaine lettuce>asparagus lettuce>mustard>cabbage mustard>cabbage.The mean hazard quotient(HQ)of all villages is in the range of [5.29,25.75],and the mean values of cancer risk for investigated areas are more than 10 times greater than the USEPA(2009)threshold limit value of 10-4.Moreover,human non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks are mainly attributable to paddy rice intake,followed by vegetables intake,soil ingestion,inhalation,and dermal contact.The results indicate that Cd has a huge potential risk on human health for the local residents.

Reconstructed Light Extinction Coefficients Using Chemical Compositions of PM_(2.5) in Winter in Urban Guangzhou, China

The objective of this study was to reconstruct light extinction coefficients （b ext ） according to chemical composition components of particulate matter up to 2.5 μm in size （PM 2.5 ）. PM 2.5 samples were collected at the monitoring station of the South China of Institute of Environmental Science （SCIES, Guangzhou, China） during January 2010, and the online absorbing and scattering coefficients were obtained using an aethalometer and a nephelometer. The measured values of light absorption coefficient by particle （b ap ） and light scattering coefficient by particle （b sp ） significantly correlated （R 2 0.95） with values of b ap and b sp that were reconstructed using the Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments （IMPROVE） formula when RH was 70%. The measured b ext had a good correlation （R 2 0.83） with the calculated b ext under ambient RH conditions. The result of source apportionment of b ext showed that ammonium sulfate [（NH 4 ） 2 SO 4 ] was the largest contributor （35.0%） to b ext , followed by ammonium nitrate （NH 4 NO 3 , 22.9%）, organic matter （16.1%）, elemental carbon （11.8%）, sea salt （4.7%）, and nitrogen dioxide （NO 2 , 9.6%）. To improve visibility in Guangzhou, the effective control of secondary particles like sulfates, nitrates, and ammonia should be given more attention in urban environmental management.

Effects of Environmental Lead Pollution on Blood Lead and Sex Hormone Levels among Occupationally Exposed Group in An E-waste Dismantling Area

Objective To study the effects of environmental multi-media lead pollution on blood lead and sex hormone levels among lead exposed males engaged in E-waste dismantling, and the correlation between confounding factors and sex hormone levels. Methods An E-waste dismantling area in Taizhou of Zhejiang Province was selected as the research site. One hundred and fifty two samples were collected from the groundwater, soil, rice, corn, chicken, and pork in the dismantling area. The effects of the multi-media lead pollution on the male blood lead and sex hormone levels of FSH, LH, and T, as well as the correlation with confounding factors, were studied. Results The blood lead concentrations in the males aged under 31, from 31 to 45 and from 46 to 60 were 98.55, 100.23, and 101.45 I~/L, respectively. Of all the environmental media lead exposures, the groundwater, rice and soil were main contributing factors to the lead accumulation in humans. FSH and LH levels increased with the age while the T levels decreased with the age instead. There was a significant correlation between the FSH and LH levels and wearing masks. Conclusion There was correlation between the FSH, LH, and T levels, and the mean values of lead concentrations in environmental media, and the sex hormone levels were correlated with the confounding factor of wearing masks.

A land use-based spatial analysis method for human health risk assessment of heavy metals in soil and its application in Zhuzhou City, Hunan Province, China

A land use- and geographical information system-based framework was presented for potential human health risk analysis using soil sampling data obtained in Zhuzhou City, Hunan Province, China. The results show that heavy metal content in soil significantly differs among different land use types. In total, 8.3% of the study area has a hazard index(HI) above the threshold of 1.0. High HIs are recorded mainly for industrial areas. Arsenic((29)87%) and the soil ingestion pathway(about 76%) contribute most to the HI. The mean standardized error and root-mean-square standardized error data indicate that the land use-based simulation method provides more accurate estimates than the classic method, which applies only geostatistical analysis to entire study area and disregards land use information. The findings not only highlight the significance of industrial land use, arsenic and the soil ingestion exposure pathway, but also indicate that evaluating different land use-types can spatially identify areas of greater concern for human health and better identify health risks.

Legislation on protection of drinking water sources and local management practices in the Pearl River Delta region of China

The protection of drinking water sources is vital to urban development and public health.In this study,the current situation of the mandatory protection area for drinking water source in the Pearl River Delta region was investigated using a method combining Google Earth with the field survey.The gaps between management practices and legislation requirements were analyzed.Finally,several countermeasures for water resource protection were proposed as follows:to promote delineation in a more scientific way,to safeguard the sanctity of the law,to make better plan on water saving,and to encourage public participation in supervision and management.

Impacts of Typhoons Tianying and Dawei on seagrass distribution in Xincun Bay,Hainan Province,China

More than 50% of the typhoons landing in China have landed on the southeast coast, where they have caused great pressure on the coastal environment. Seagrass, one of the most important con- stituents of coastal ecosystems, is also greatly affected by typhoons. In order to clarify how seagrass distribution variation is affected by typhoons in coastal areas in southeast China, data of Typhoons Dawei and Tianying （category 4 and category 2 respectively, which just ran through the southern part of Hainan province） have been studied. In situ observation and satellite remote sensing data （CBERS-China Brazil Earth Resources Satellite） in 2004 and 2006 were used to retrieve seagrass distribution in Xincun Bay, Hainan province. In situ observations showed that leaf length, stem biomass and above ground biomass on average showed evidence of reduction after Typhoons Tiany- ing and Dawei. However, seagrass density showed no evidence of reduction after typhoon Tianying and Dawei passed by and increased rapidly in January 2006. From results of satellite remote sensing data, seagrass distribution can be detected with high accuracy, and the area of seagrass distribution on the south coast of Xincun Bay in 2006 after the typhoon passed by was smaller than that in 2004 in region A and B. However, in region C, area of seagrass coverage under 20% increased. These results demonstrated that typhoons Tianying and Dawei damaged seagrass bed and helped seagrass to get rid of aged and dead leaves, and this correspondingly facilitated seagrass growth.

Distribution of Microbiota in Fine Particulate Matter Particles in Guangzhou, China

Objective High PM2.5 concentration is the main feature of increasing haze in developing states,but information on its microbial composition remains very limited.This study aimed to determine the composition of microbiota in PM2.5 in Guangzhou,a city located in the tropics in China.Methods In Guangzhou,from March 5th to 10th,2016,PM2.5 was collected in middle volume air samplers for 23 h daily.The 16 S rDNA V4 region of the PM2.5 sample extracted DNA was investigated using high-throughput sequence.Results Among the Guangzhou samples,Proteobacteria,Bacteroidetes,Firmicutes,Cyanobacteria,and Actinobacteria were the dominant microbiota accounting for more than 90%of the total microbiota,and Stenotrophomonas was the dominant gram-negative bacteria,accounting for 21.30%–23.57%.We examined the difference in bacterial distribution of PM2.5 between Beijing and Guangzhou at the genus level;Stenotrophomonas was found in both studies,but Escherichia was only detected in Guangzhou.Conclusion In conclusion,the diversity and specificity of microbial components in Guangzhou PM2.5 were studied,which may provide a basis for future pathogenicity research in the tropics.

Chemical Composition of Summertime PM_(2.5) and Its Relationship to Aerosol Optical Properties in Guangzhou,China

Urban aerosols have a large effect on the deterioration of air quality and the degradation of atmospheric visibility.Characterization of the chemical composition of PM 2.5 and in situ measurements of the optical properties of aerosols were conducted in July 2008 at an urban site in Guangzhou,Southern China.The mean PM 2.5 concentration for the entire period was 53.7±23.2 μg m 3.The mean PM 2.5 concentration (82.7±25.4 μg m 3) on hazy days was roughly two times higher than that on clear days (38.8±8.7 μg m 3).The total water-soluble ion species and the total average carbon accounted for 47.9%±4.3% and 35.2%±4.5%,respectively,of the major components of PM 2.5.The increase of secondary and carbonaceous aerosols,in particular ammonium sulfate,played an important role in the formation of haze pollution.The mean absorption and scattering coefficients and the single scattering albedo over the whole period were 53±20 M m 1,226±111 M m 1,and 0.80±0.04,respectively.PM 2.5 had a high linear correlation with the aerosol extinction coefficient,elemental carbon (EC) was correlated with aerosol absorption,and organic carbon (OC) and SO 4 2 were tightly linked to aerosol scattering.

Description of Cephalodella changdensis sp. nov. (Rotifera: Notommatidae) from Hunan Province, China

A new freshwater rotifer Cephalodella changdensis sp.nov.discovered in two locations in Changde,Hunan,China,is described morphologically.The new species is characterized by body shape moderately elongate,double eyespots frontally,toes conical and almost straight,about one fourth of total length,trophi type B(classification after Wulfert,1937),rami asymmetrical with a pair of long alulae,fulcrum inverted T-shaped(ventral/dorsal view)with dorsally directed distal projection(lateral view),and manubria asymmetrical,left one slightly longer and stronger,with J-shaped or crutch-shaped posterior ends.

New Normal of Environmental Protection: Our Responsibility and Action

It has become the hot topic of new normal for environmental protection to ＂ impel ecological civilization and create new way of environ- mental protection＂. In this paper, based on current severe environmental protection situation, new idea of ＂government taking the stage, research department writing a play,enterprise acting in an opera and the masses supervising＂ and action plan of ＂government having the right but can not be impulsive, research department having the talent and should discharge their duties, enterprise having the money but should keep law, and the mas- ses having the enthusiasm to strengthen supervision＂ for environmental protection are proposed,which aims to contribute ideas and exert efforts for impelling ecological civilization and environmental protection.

Assessment of Heavy Metal Pollution in the Water, Sediment and Fish during a Complete Breeding Cycle in the Pond of the Pearl River Delta, China

The paper aimed to investigate the concentration variations and evaluate the bioaccumulation as well as the health risk of Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd and Pb in the aquaculture pond ecosystem during a complete breeding cycle. The samples of water, sediment and aquatic organisms were collected from the pond of gull island in the Pearl River Delta, China. In the breeding cycle, the results revealed the metal concentration in the water increased, while the sediment metal concentration showed no significant difference. The heavy metal concentrations in the water were higher than the background values (December 2017) which related to the input of feeds. Sediment metal concentrations (Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As and Cd) in the sediment were higher than the background values of Guangdong Province, China, indicating these metal pollutions came from anthropogenic activities. While the concentration of Pb was comparable to the background value, implying that the Pb was mainly from the earth crust. In addition, various metals showed different affinity to fish organs (muscle, skin, bladder, gill, heart, kidney and liver). Zinc was abundant in skin, while As and Cd concentrations were highest in kidneys;Cu was accumulated highest in liver;Cr concentrations was highest in hearts;and Ni was mainly found in bladders, and the Pb was most commonly found in gills. The distribution of heavy metals in the tissues organs was in the sequence of: Zn > Cu > Cr > Ni > Pb > As > Cd. As the fish ages, the Cu and Zn concentration in tissue organs declined, while the Cr, Ni, As, Cd and Pb increased slightly. Estimations of health risks showed no evidence of potential threats to consumers.

The underappreciated role of fugitive VOCs in ozone formation and health risk assessment emitted from seven typical industries in China

Fugitive emission from industrial sources may result in ozone formation and health risk,while the exact contribution of this source remains incompletely understood.In this study,emission characteristics,ozone formation potential(OFP)and health risk of fugitive VOCs in7 representative industries were investigated.Chemical material industry was the dominant contributor to VOCs of fugitive emission in comparison with other industries.The OFP of VOCs from fugitive emission was in the range of 1.45×10^(3)-3.98×10^(5)μg/m^(3),with a higher value than that of organized emission in seven industries except for the coking industry and the chemical material industry,suggesting that fugitive VOCs should be taken into account while developing control strategies.Acetaldehyde,m,p-xylene,n-nonane,ethylene,vinyl chloridethe and other high OFP-contributing species were the major reactive species that should be targeted.Health risk assessment investigated non-cancer and cancer risks of fugitive VOCs in 7 industries were all above safe level(HR>1 and LCR>1×10^(-4)),posing remarkable health threats to human health.OVOCs were the main contributor to non-cancer risk,while halohydrocarbons and aromatics contributed most to cancer risks,posing remarkable health threat on human health.Our findings highlighted the contribution of fugitive VOCs on ozone formation and health risk was underestimated,indicating which should be considered in emission control strategies of industrial sources.

Legacies and health risks of heavy metals,polybrominated diphenyl ethers,and polychlorinated dibenzo-dioxins/furans at e-waste recycling sites in South China

Informal electronic-waste(e-waste)recycling sites pose substantial health risks to surrounding environments and populations,yet they are not properly regulated.In this study,the soil levels of copper,lead,cadmium,eight polybrominated diphenyl ethers(PBDEs),and 18 polychlorinated dibenzo-dioxins/furans(PCDD/Fs)were measured at two e-waste recycling sites in South China between 2014 and 2019.Both sites have been abandoned for natural restoration.Our results indicate that the mean Cd and PCDD/F levels at Site A in 2019 were higher than those recommended by current safety guidelines.Meanwhile,the highest exposure among children was 1.36×10^(−2)mg/(kg·d)for Cu,followed by 5.05×10^(−3)mg/(kg·d)for Pb,9.71 ng/(kg·d)for PBDEs,and 6.82 ng TEQ/(kg·d)for PCDD/Fs.Children were at elevated risk for health problem posed by Pb and Cu exposure at both sites(hazard quotient>1)and by PCDD/Fs at Site A.Further risk assessment was conducted on the target organs and endpoints of heavy metals and PCDD/Fs.The hazard index(HI)for the target organ mixed-risk of heavy metals was high(HI=1.27),as was that of PCDD/Fs(HI=1.66),which can disrupt endocrine function and pose a risk of reproductive toxicity in children.Owing to incomplete cleaning,contaminants persist in soils over long periods and may harm nearby environments and communities.Our study demonstrates that heavy metal,PBDE,and PCDD/F contamination have not yet been remediated,and intervention is needed to reduce pollution and associated risks in areas affected by e-waste.

Linking coral fluorescence phenotypes to thermal bleaching in the reef-building Galaxea fascicularis from the northern South China Sea

Coral fluorescence phenotypes have been suggested as an adaptation to a broad range of environmental conditions,yet the mechanisms linking thermal bleaching tolerance in reef-building coral populations,associated with fluorescence phenotypes due to GFP-like proteins,remains unclear.In this study,the relationship between the thermal sensitivity and phenotypic plasticity of corals was investigated using two phenotypes of Galaxea fascicularis,green and brown.The results reveal that brown G.fascicularis was more susceptible to bleaching than green G.fascicularis when exposed to a higher growth temperature of 32℃.Both phenotypes of G.fascicularis were associated with the thermotolerant Symbiodiniaceae symbiont,Durusdinium trenchii.However,the brown G.fascicularis showed a significant decrease in Symbiodiniaceae cell density and a significant increase in pathogenic bacteria abundance when the growth temperature was raised from 29 to 32℃.The physiological traits and transcriptomic profiles of Symbiodiniaceae were not notably affected,but there were differences in the transcriptional levels of certain genes between the two phenotype hosts of G.fascicularis.Under heat stress of 32℃,the gene encoding green fluorescent protein(GFP)-like and chromosome-associated proteins,as well as genes related to oxidative phosphorylation,cell growth and death showed lower transcriptional levels in the brown G.fascicularis compared to the green G.fascicularis.Overall,the results demonstrate that the green form of G.fascicularis is better able to tolerate ocean warming and defend against pathogenic bacteria,likely due to higher gene transcription levels and defense ability.

Heavy metal concentrations of agricultural soils and vegetables from Dongguan, Guangdong

A total of 118 of agricultural soil and 43 of vegetable samples were collected from Dongguan City, Guangdong, China. The spatial distribution, sources, accumulation characteristics and potential risk of heavy metals in the agricultural soils and vegetables were depicted in details by three different approaches, including total contents of eight metal elements in soils and vegetables, GIS maps and multivariate analysis of heavy metals in soils in the study. The results show that there are higher accumulation of heavy metals such as Cu, Zn, Ni, Pb, Cd and Hg in agricultural soils, and the contents of Pb （65.38 mg kg^-1） and Hg （0.24 mg kg^-1） are 1.82 and 2.82 times of the background contents of the corresponding heavy metals in soils of Guangdong Province, respectively. There are about 3.4% of Cu, 5.9% of Ni, 1.7% of Cd and 28% of Hg in all collected soil samples from all investigated sites which have overran the contents for heavy metals of the China Environmental Quality Standard for Soils （GB15618-1995, Grade Ⅱ）. The pollution characteristics of multi-metals in soils are mainly reflected by Hg. There are different sources to eight metal elements in soils, Cu, Zn, Ni Cr and As are predominantly derived from parent materials, and Pb, Hg and Cd are affected by anthropogenic activities. The spatial distribution shows that the Cu, Zn, Ni, Cr, Pb, As and Hg contents of agricultural soils are high in the west and low in the east, and Cd contents are high in the northwest, southeast and low in the southwest in Dongguan. The ratios of vegetable samples which Ni, Pb and As concentrations higher than the Maximum Levels of Contaminants in Foods （GB2762-2005） are 4.7%, 16.3% and 48.8%, respectively. The order of bio-concentration factors （BCF） of heavy metals in vegetables is Cd 〉 Zn 〉 Cu 〉 As 〉 Ni 〉 Hg 〉 Cr 〉 Pb. It is necessary to focus on potential risk of heavy metals for food safety and human＇s health from agricultural soils and vegetables in Dongguan City, Guangdong Province.