## 1 Introduction  
Soil is a crucial element of terrestrial ecosystems and constitutes the most fundamental natural resource for human survival, being capable of continuous regeneration and recycling [1]. However, since the onset of the Industrial Revolution, the contamination of soil by heavy metals has emerged as a global threat [2]. Heavy metals are defined as metals and metalloids with a density exceeding 5 g/cm\({}^{3}\)[3]. Given that metals and metalloids are non-biodegradable, they can only undergo transitions between different chemical states, resulting in their high persistence in soil. If contamination occurs, restoring the soil environment becomes a formidable challenge [4]. The rapid urbanization and intensive industrialization experienced during the Industrial Revolution have led to significant generation and emission of heavy metals across various sectors [5]. These metals can remain in the soil for extended periods, posing potential health risks to residents who absorb heavy metals through the inhalation of dust, consumption of contaminated water, and ingestion of crops grown in polluted soils [6, 7]. For example, cardiovascular problems, central nervous system disorders, renal complications, and reproductive issues have been associated with lead (Pb) exposure, along with adverse effects on infant development [8]. Cadmium (Cd)poisoning can lead to osteoporosis, renal failure, gastrointestinal and pulmonary diseases, and even cancer [9]. Mercury (Hg) exposure, especially through the inhalation of high levels of vapor, may result in severe neurological disorders in both children and adults, with fatal outcomes possible [9; 10]. Chromium (Cr) can accumulate in the human body, causing skin, renal, neurological, and gastrointestinal diseases, and has been linked to various forms of cancer, including those of the lung, larynx, bladder, kidney, testis, bone, and thyroid [10; 11]. Additionally, acute arsenic (As) poisoning can cause skin lesions, organ damage, and death, while chronic exposure may result in limb deformities and malignancies [12]. Acute nickel (Ni) exposure can damage the kidneys, liver, and brain, whereas chronic exposure is associated with tissue damage, including pulmonary fibrosis, renal and cardiovascular diseases, and respiratory cancers [10; 13]. Elevated copper (Cu) levels can result in respiratory issues, dizziness, nausea, and diarrhea, with Cu potentially influencing the proliferation and metastasis of cancer cells as well [10; 14]. Consequently, the United States Environmental Protection Agency has classified eight heavy metals Pb, Cd, Cr, Hg, As, Cu, Zn, and Ni as priority pollutants due to their varied hazards [15]. This study will analyze the concentrations of ten heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Hg, Pb, Cu, Zn, Ni, manganese (Mn), vanadium (V)and cobalt (Co)) alongside two trace elements (As and selenium (Se)), given their similar environmental behavior in soils. Heavy metals may either occur naturally or as the result of human activities [3]. Over the last century, significant amounts of heavy metals and petroleum hydrocarbons have been released into natural ecosystems due to mining, electroplating, smelting, fertilizer production, pesticide application, tanneries, paper manufacturing, and the electronics industry [2]. As growth promoters, heavy metals are often added to animal feed, leading to their accumulation in agricultural soils through the long-term application of livestock manure as organic fertilizer [16]. Severe soil pollution can also arise from mining activities, and the contamination of soils surrounding mining areas has attracted considerable attention [17]. Furthermore, the rapid development of tourism inevitably results in the influx of large numbers of tourists and construction workers into scenic areas, generating waste such as municipal and construction debris, which contributes to artificial heavy metal contamination in these regions [18].