To understand the effect of soil environmental carrying capacity on pollutants and human activities, as well as to effectively prevent the aggravation of soil pollution and control soil environmental risks, a comprehensive indicator system for soil environmental carrying capacity is developed by analyzing the input-output flux and risk characteristics of soil pollutants. Furthermore, an evaluation method for soil environmental carrying capacity is proposed by defining safety coefficients related to evaluation indicators. Based on evaluation of soil environmental quality, the system reflects soil properties, pollution evolution trends, and risk characteristics, focusing on the soil buffering function. Further, a quantitative evaluation is carried out to assess the regional soil environmental carrying capacity of heavy metals on development land in Beijing. The results show that the soil environmental carrying capacity of Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd in Beijing varies widely. The soil environmental carrying capacity of Cd is much lower than that of other elements. Four policy recommendations are proposed as significant for effective soil pollution prevention and control:clarifying concepts for soil environmental carrying capacity, improving the evaluation framework, constructing an information database, and implementing demonstration pilots.
Keywords: agricultural land; development land; environmental capacity; evaluation system; soil environmental carrying capacity.