ABSTRACT
ICP-MS was used to determine the contents of five heavy metals such as lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), arsenic (As) and copper (Cu) in Chrysanthemum indicum and soil samples. Pearson correlation and path analysis were used to analyze the effects of latitude and longitude and altitude on the content of heavy metal elements in Ch. indicum. To explore the relationship between geographical location of heavy metal content in Ch. indicum and the content of heavy metal elements in soil. The results showed that the Ch. indicum had high enrichment of Cd and had a synergistic effect on the absorption of five heavy metal elements. Elevation directly affected the accumulation of Pb and Cd in Ch. indicum and was a positive effect. The direct positive effect of latitude acts on the accumulation of Hg and Cu in Ch. indicum. The effect of longitude on the Cd content was the negative effect of longitude. The geographical location had different effects on the accumulation of heavy metal elements in Ch. indicum. There was a certain interaction between direct and indirect effects. Ch. indicum had different absorption and enrichment characteristics for different heavy metal species. When controlling the heavy metal content and medicinal material quality of Ch. indicum, we must fully consider the influence of geographical location on the quality of medicinal materials, select suitable geographic regions to carry out acquisitions, and choose a good ecological environment. Regional establishment of Chinese herbal medicine planting bases, or adopting certain agricultural measures to reduce the absorption of heavy metal elements in Ch. indicum herbs, while conducting research on chemical composition, strengthening the research on the effective forms of heavy metals, and paying attention to the safety of medicinal herbs.