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This paper attempts to review the environmental geochemical characteristics (re.: enriched elements) in coals of the Late Permian Xuanwei Formation of NW Yunnan, China, and gauge the possible existence of significant relationships with the incidence and distribution of lung cancer in the region. To achieve this goal, 27 samples were collected in this region; the mineralogical characteristics and major and trace elements were analysed; the Pb isotopic composition was traced; the contribution of the source rock was calculated; and principal component analysis (PCA) was carried out. Our current findings are summarized as follows: (1) the minerals are mainly quartz (silica), chamosite, calcite and kaolinite; (2) MnO, SiO2, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Cd and W are enriched; (3) the LREYs (La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm and Eu) and HREYs (Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu and Y) have similar enrichment degrees, and the fractionation degree of HREYs is higher than that of LREYs; (4) the source distance restricts the Pb isotope composition; (5) MnO, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu and Cd are controlled by the Emeishan basalt; the origin of SiO2 (authigenic quartz) is unclear; (6) the lung cancer tissue characteristics, PCA, and toxicological characteristics of elements suggest that the main components of enriched elements probably come from V, Cr, Co, Ni and Cd, not SiO2. In conclusion, the carcinogenic elements V, Cr, Co, Ni and Cd may be related to lung cancer. Since our study is highly explorative, this result leaves many interesting aspects to be further studied. Thematic collection: This article is part of the Geochemical processes related to mined, milled, or natural metal deposits collection available at: https://www.lyellcollection.org/topic/collections/geochemical-processes-related-to-mined-milled-or-natural-metal-deposits Supplementary material: The coal mine and coal sample description, major, trace elements, and XRD results of coal as well as regional geological map are available at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.6444476 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We attempt to understand the pollution characteristics and carcinogenic risk of toxic elements around Hutou Village, Xuanwei City, Yunnan Province, China. For this propose, 48 road dust samples were collected systematically, and the concentrations of Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Pb, Co, and Cr(IV) were analyzed and compared; the spatial distribution was obtained. The Igeo and EF indices and multivariate statistical analysis (CA, PCA, HACA) were carried out for source investigation, and human health risk assessment was also adopted to evaluate local non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks. The result showed that Cr, Ni, Cu, Cd and Co contaminations were quite serious; Zn, As, Cd, and Pb had similar distribution pattern, and Cr and Ni also shared similar distribution characteristics; Cd, Pb, Zn, and As ascribed to anthropogenic sources, while Cr and Ni originated from either anthropogenic activity or natural sources; Co and Cu originated from natural sources; the non-carcinogenic risk of Co cannot be ignored. The carcinogenic risk of Ni was considered unacceptable. Finally, an indoor coal-burning pattern was established that the high Cd and Ni inhalation and ingestion model was associated with lung cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• There was severe Cd and Cr pollution in the soil of Hutou Village. • The primary source of soil pollution was the use of coal. • Mineralogical and geochemical characteristics revealed the migration direction of the pollution. • The contents of REY and Eu in the soil were significantly higher than those in road dust. • The fractionation of LREY and HREY in the soil was more substantial than that in the road dust. This study aimed to reveal the status and source apportionment of trace element soil pollution in a village with a relatively high incidence of lung cancer in China and determine the element migration characteristics from coal to road dust and soil. To this end, 24 soil samples, 48 road dust samples (from a previous study), and 2 coal samples were collected; major element oxides, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Zr, Cd, and rare earth elements were analyzed; minerals were identified by SEM-EDX and XRD; a geoaccumulation index (I geo), Spearman's correlation analysis, provenance index (PI) and positive matrix factorization (PMF) were carried out to assess the status and source apportionment of soil pollution; and mineralogical and geochemical methods were used for provenance discrimination and migration characteristics identification. The results demonstrated that (1) the Cd and Cr pollution of the soil was severe and originated mainly from indigenous zinc smelting, agricultural activities, and the use of coal. (2) The pollution migrated from Yantang coal to the road dust to the soil through mineralogical and geochemical methods. (3) A stronger fractionation of light and heavy rare earth elements was observed in the soil than in the road dust, indicating a single pollution source in the road dust and a complex source in the soil. (4) The primary reason for the lower rare earth element values in the road dust could be physical separation by the wind. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]