Enrichment and ecological risk of heavy metal in soils and dominant plants in the riparian of the Fenghe River

Heavy metal contamination in rivers has become a major issues in recent decades due to their biogeochemical cycling, environmental persistence, and ecological risks. Intensive attention has been given to river sediment contamination but heavy metals in soils and plants along the river ecosystem have been inadequately studied. The results of this research will contribute to a better understanding of heavy metal characteristics, pollution status assessment, affect in river ecosystems, and environmental protection of rivers. A total of 32 soils and 16 dominant plants samples were collected in the riparian of the Fenghe river of Shaanxi Province from the headwater to the river mouth. This paper did not screen out new plants which satisfied with the standard of hyperaccumulators, but Portulaca oleracea, Artemisia argyi, Phragmites communis, and Polygonum hydropiper grew well and were potentially tolerant species. It is necessary to focus on the potential risk of heavy metals for water safety and human health in soils and plants in the riparian of the Fenghe River.