It is important to understand the spatial distribution characteristics and health risks of soil heavy metals for the implementation of soil pollution control measures in different levels and regions. Based on the data of 706 core studies in the last 20 years, the spatial distribution characteristics, accumulation degree, and health risks of soil heavy metals in China were analyzed at the provincial level. The results showed that the soil heavy metals had obvious spatial differences on the provincial scale, with an overall trend of "high in the south and low in the north and high in the east and low in the west." The content of heavy metals in the soil of agricultural land and construction land was high, and the rate of exceeding the standard was higher than that of other land types. Soil heavy metal concentrations in most areas of China were higher than the regional background values and were highly cumulative. The accumulation indices were:Cd(1.80)>Pb(0.23)>Cu(0.17)>Zn(-0.05)>As(-0.56)>Cr(-0.69), with more than 85% of the provincial soils reaching moderate levels of Cd pollution. Non-ferrous metal resource-based provinces such as Yunnan, Guizhou, Guangxi, Hunan, and Jiangxi generally had higher soil heavy metal levels than those in other provinces, and local children faced higher cancer risks. Soil pollution in coastal areas such as Fujian, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, and Tianjin mainly originated from industrial production and urbanization construction. High intensity agricultural utilization was an important cause of soil heavy metal accumulation in Henan, Shandong, and Anhui.
Keywords: distribution characteristic; human health; pollution assessment; risk control; soil heavy metals.