###### Abstract  
Potential toxic elements (PTEs), including Pb, Cr, Cd, Ni, Cu, As, and Mo, are common pollutants in ion-adsorption rare earth mines (IAREEMs), and atmospheric deposition is an important method of PTE migration. However, the level of PTE atmospheric deposition in and around IAREEMs remains unknown. We established 25 stations at typical sites in the Ganzhou city of southeast China. An exposure assessment model was used to evaluate the health risks for adults and children. The results show that the concentration and fluxes of atmospheric deposition of PTEs follow the order of Pb > Cu > Cr > Ni > As > Mo > Cd, and most PTEs present no human health risk. However, due to the high toxicity of As, it poses both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks to children as indicated by the analysis of an exposure assessment model of heavy rare earth minerals in Longnan county, Ganzhou city. The As concentration in atmospheric deposition ranged from 3.18 to 251.87 mg kg\({}^{-1}\), and the As atmospheric fluxes in atmospheric deposition ranged from 0.11 to 39.4 mg m\({}^{-2}\) y\({}^{-1}\). This is because As-rich materials (e.g., arsenic-adsorbing clay zones and chernovite-(Y) (Y[AsO\({}_{4}\)]) are exposed in fully weathered layers, and the formed suspended particulate matter is transported into the atmosphere at Longnan county. Consequently, restoring vegetation to reduce particulate matter transport is an important method for controlling the spread of pollutants. These results provide significant insights into pollution characteristics and prevention in and around mining areas under the influence of atmospheric deposition.  
atmospheric deposition; potential toxic elements; health risk assessment; ion-adsorption rare earth mining; Ganzhou city of southeast China +
Footnote †: journal:soil, biological, and other media [9; 10]. However, current studies are mainly focused on soil and water pollution, and researches on atmospheric deposition are limited [4; 11].  
Mine atmospheric deposition contains various PTEs, including metals and metalloids (e.g., As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mo, Ni, and Pb). These elements are concerning due to their persistence, toxicity, and potential for bioaccumulation [12; 13; 14]. Usually, human activities contribute significantly to the atmospheric deposition of PTEs in mining areas [15]. For IAREEM areas, the distribution of PTEs through atmospheric deposition remains unknown.  
Given the bioaccumulation of PTEs [16; 17], human exposure near IAREEM areas could pose substantial health risks. This study employs the exposure assessment model developed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) to evaluate these risks [18]. The model is widely used and is an effective tool for assessing human health risks, and the results of the assessment can provide a reference and basis for environmental governance policies [19; 20; 21]. Our analysis focuses on the spatial distribution and pollution levels of PTEs in atmospheric deposition around IAREEM areas. We also assess the human health risks associated with PTE exposure and provide insights for environmental management in IAREEM regions. In this study, we first investigate PTEs of atmospheric deposition in IAREEM areas, offering valuable information for managing atmospheric deposition pollution in these regions.