Abstract: Twenty-seven rhizospheric soils, 14 main crops, including rice (Oryza sativa) and maize (Zea mays L.), 10 garden vegetables, including eggplant (Solanum melongena L.), chili (Capsicum annuum L.) and greenbean (Vigna unguiculata), and 8 medicinal plant Fengdan (Paeonia ostii), were collected in Tongling mining area. The aim was to analyze five heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb and Cr) enrichment and transport characteristics and to assess their health risks. The results showed that the mining activities had caused the enrichment of 5 metal elements in rhizospheric soils. Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb were seriously polluted. The pollution degrees showed the trend of Cd＞Cu＞Zn＞Pb＞Cr. The accumulation of heavy metals in the fruits of the investigated plants and chili in the vegetables was the lowest. Cr and Cd had strong migration ability and were easily absorbed and accumulated by plants. Heavy metal contents, daily estimated intake (EDI) and target hazard quotient (THQ) jointly indicated that Cr, Cd and Pb were mainly enriched in rice; Cr, Cd and Pb were mainly accumulated in maize, vegetables and Fengdan. These elements were all of great health risks to local populations.

Key words: mining area, plant, heavy metals, enrichment behavior, health risk