Hg-mining-induced soil pollution by potentially toxic metal(loid)s presents a potential environmental risk and threat to human health: A global meta-analysis

Soil pollution caused by potentially toxic metal(loid)s (PTMs) near mercury (Hg) mines has attracted extensive attention, yet the status and potential health risks of PTM contamination in soils near Hg mining sites have rarely been investigated on a large scale. Global data on methylmercury (MeHg), Hg, Cd, Cr, As, Pb, Cu, Zn, Mn, and Ni concentrations in soils from Hg mining areas were obtained from published research articles (1999–2023). Based on the database, pollution levels, spatial distributions, and potential health risks were investigated. Results indicated that the average percentage of MeHg to total Hg in agricultural soils (0.19