Assessing potential risk of potentially toxic elements in lakeshore soils of Tangxun lake, China

This dataset comprises surface soil samples collected from 396 points around **Tangxun Lake in Wuhan, China**, an area characterized by rapid urbanization and diverse land-use types. The researchers utilized a **grid sampling method** (150 m × 150 m) and measured the concentrations of **12 potentially toxic elements (PTEs)**—including As, Cd, Cr, Pb, and Hg—using advanced spectrometry and cold atomic absorption techniques. By integrating these measurements with the **Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) model** and **Monte Carlo Simulations**, the dataset is designed to quantify pollutant sources and assess both human health and ecological risks. This comprehensive approach allows for a detailed evaluation of how anthropogenic activities impact the environmental quality of China’s largest urban lake.