Abstract:In order to study geochemical characteristics of heavy metals in topsoil of Hongfanchi area in Ji'nan city, analyze their influencing factors, evaluate their potential ecological risk level, largescale soil geochemical measurements have been conducted in the study area. The contents of 8 heavy metal elements have been analyzed. Multivariate statistical analysis on characteristics of geochemical data have been conducted. The potential ecological risk index method has been used for risk assessment. It is showed that the contents of seven elements, such as As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn are close to the background values, with small coefficients of variation and similar spatial distribution characteristics. The parent material of the soil is main factor controlling their distribution in the surface soil. The average content of Hg element is significantly higher than the background value, with a large coefficient of variation and distinct spatial distribution characteristics. Its distribution in the surface soil has been significantly influenced by human activities. The six heavy metals of As, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn in the surface soil show a slight ecological risk level, Cd shows a slight ecological risk level in most sampling points, and Hg exhibits the highest potential ecological risk. The overall soil condition in the study area is good, and main pollutants are Cr and Hg.