Human activities have far-reaching impact on natural ecosystems, causing increasing disturbances and disruptions to the delicate balance of the environment. Poor land use planning, urbanization, infrastructure development, and unplanned tourism exacerbate contamination and degradation in tourist destinations, yet the pollution of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in these environments remains inadequately explored. To address this issue, we investigated the concentrations of acid-digested PTEs in road dust in Abbottabad city (Pakistan) with heavy traffic. The current study also evaluated PTE associated pollution, ecological and health risks, and potential sources of these elements. The average concentrations (in mg kg^–1) of PTEs in road dust were highest for Fe (15540), followed by Mn (304), Zn (139), Cu (50.0), Pb (21.5), Cr (13.0), Ni (10.3), Co (6.66), and Cd (0.236). The levels of Co, Cr, Mn, Ni, and Fe were below the upper continental crust (UCC) averages, while Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn exceeded them. Spatially, Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn were found at higher levels near traffic hotspots, bus stands and automobile workshops. Road dust in Abbottabad exhibited unpolluted to moderate pollution levels (geo-accumulation index), with Cd, Cu, Zn, and Pb at 23% of the sites. The enrichment factor results indicated a significant anthropogenic influence, with Cd being significantly enriched and Zn, Cu, and Pb moderately enriched. The contamination factor results revealed moderate contamination by (Cd: 2.62, Zn: 2.08, Cu: 1.79, Pb: 1.27). Single metal risk index showed that 61% of the sites posed considerable to very high ecological risks due to Cd, which was highlighted as a significant concern. The absolute principal component scores-multiple linear regression model identified three factors contributing to PTE pollution: lithogenic (Co, Fe, Mn, Ni), traffic-related (Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn), and mixed sources (Cr), with contributions of 52.8%, 35.8%, and 11.4%, respectively. The PTE hazard quotient and total hazard index values for children and adults were below the safe risk level of 1, indicating no non-carcinogenic health risks. The cumulative carcinogenic risk values to the residents were also within acceptable limits. However, children's susceptibility to non-carcinogenic risks is higher due to their behavior and lower body weight. This study highlights the accumulation of PTEs in Abbottabad's environment, which poses challenges to long-term sustainability, particularly amid unplanned tourism. Therefore, urgent measures are necessary to mitigate PTE pollution and preserve tourist spots and public health.

中文翻译：

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对巴基斯坦阿伯塔巴德市交通繁忙的细小道路扬尘进行潜在有毒元素综合分析与风险评估


人类活动对自然生态系统产生深远影响，导致越来越多的干扰和破坏环境的微妙平衡。糟糕的土地使用规划、城市化、基础设施开发和无计划的旅游业加剧了旅游目的地的污染和退化，但这些环境中潜在有毒元素 （PTE） 的污染仍未得到充分探索。为了解决这个问题，我们调查了交通繁忙的阿伯塔巴德市（巴基斯坦）道路粉尘中酸解 PTE 的浓度。目前的研究还评估了 PTE 相关的污染、生态和健康风险以及这些元素的潜在来源。道路粉尘中 PTE 的平均浓度（以 mg ^kg-1 为单位）中 Fe （15540） 最高，其次是 Mn （304）、Zn （139）、Cu （50.0）、Pb （21.5）、Cr （13.0）、Ni （10.3）、Co （6.66） 和 Cd （0.236）。Co、Cr、Mn、Ni 和 Fe 的含量低于上大陆地壳 （UCC） 的平均水平，而 Cd、Cu、Pb 和 Zn 的含量则超过了它们。在空间上，Cd、Cu、Pb 和 Zn 位于交通热点、公交站和汽车车间附近的较高水平。阿伯塔巴德的道路扬尘表现出无污染至中度污染水平（地质累积指数），其中 23% 的场地有 Cd、Cu、Zn 和 Pb。富集因子结果表明，人为因素显著增加，Cd 显著富集，Zn 、 Cu 和 Pb 适度富集。污染因子结果显示 （Cd： 2.62， Zn： 2.08， Cu： 1.79， Pb： 1.27） 的中度污染。单一金属风险指数显示，61% 的场地因 Cd 而构成相当高至极高的生态风险，这被强调为一个重大问题。 绝对主成分得分-多元线性回归模型确定了导致 PTE 污染的 3 个因素：成岩（Co、Fe、Mn、Ni）、交通相关（Cd、Cu、Pb、Zn）和混合来源 （Cr），贡献率分别为 52.8%、35.8% 和 11.4%。儿童和成人的 PTE 危害商和总危害指数值低于安全风险水平 1，表明没有非致癌健康风险。居民的累积致癌风险值也在可接受的范围内。然而，由于儿童的行为和较轻的体重，他们对非致癌风险的易感性更高。本研究强调了 PTE 在阿伯塔巴德环境中的积累，这对长期可持续性构成了挑战，尤其是在计划外的旅游中。因此，有必要采取紧急措施来减轻 PTE 污染并保护旅游景点和公共卫生。