The study analyzed the levels of heavy metals in soils in the outskirts of Zhengzhou. They used geostatistics and other methods to understand how the metals were distributed and where they came from. Over the past decade, the levels of heavy metals in the soil have slightly increased. Mercury and cadmium showed strong spatial patterns, while lead, chromium, and arsenic did not. Cadmium levels in the soil mostly reflect natural levels, while chromium levels are influenced by external sources. Lead, arsenic, and mercury levels are mainly due to human activities, with mercury levels varying based on land use.