Torreya grandis cv. Merrillii (T. grandis) is a unique economic tree species in China, which contains rich nutritional, medicinal, and economic values. Currently, studies on T. grandis mainly focus on fruit quality and high yield measures, and there are few reports on the heavy metal pollution of T. grandis woodland soil. In order to study the pollution of soil heavy metals, the T. grandis producing areas (Zhuji, Shengzhou, Keqiao, and Dongyang) in the Kuaiji Mountains in Zhejiang Province, where T. grandis planting is concentrated, were taken as research objects. A total of 121 soil samples(0-20 cm) were systematically taken, and 13 types of heavy metals(As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sn, V, and Zn)were analyzed. At the same time, the minimum data set was constructed by combining the principal component analysis method, and six heavy metal elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Zn) that could represent the soil heavy metal element information to the greatest extent were screened out. Spatial heterogeneity and potential ecological risk of these six heavy metals were studied using geostatistics and other spatial analysis methods. The results indicated that the average ω(As), ω(Cd), ω(Cr), ω(Ni), ω(Cu), and ω(Zn) in the study area were 14.23, 0.14, 49.08, 27.05, 28.20, and 109.93 mg·kg-1, respectively. Additionally, the results by the semi-variance theory model fitting indicated that Cr, Ni, and Zn have strong spatial autocorrelation, whereas Cd, Cu, and As have moderate spatial autocorrelation. Kriging interpolation revealed the spatial distribution pattern of heavy metals in the soils of the study area. The ω(Cd), ω(Cr), and ω(Ni) in Dongyang City were low, whereas the ω(Cd), ω(Cr), and ω(Ni) were high in some areas of Zhuji City. The accumulation of Cd in Zhuji City, Keqiao Distric, and Shengzhou City was high, whereas the local accumulation of As in the soil of the study area was the most severe. The high values were mainly distributed in the areas west of Zhuji City and east of Shengzhou City, whereas the low values were mainly distributed in the areas east of Zhuji City and west of Keqiao District. The results of the single factor pollution index and Nemerow pollution index showed that the six heavy metals in the study area all exceeded the standard, showing different degrees of accumulation characteristics. The distribution of heavy metals in Zhuji City was affected by early copper mining and long-term blind and excessive fertilization. The accumulation of heavy metals in other areas was mainly caused by human activities such as unreasonable fertilization methods, especially the excessive use of phosphate and organic fertilizers by farmers. The evaluation results of potential ecological hazards showed that the study area was being subjected to a mild degree of harm, with Cd presenting the largest potential risk. |