Abstract: To investigate the migration patterns of heavy metals in a typical lead-zinc mining area,this study took the Laiyuan mining area in Hebei Province as a case study.Through systematic collection of soil and maize samples,and the inte grated application of the Nemerow comprehensive pollution index,Geodetector,and statistical analysis,the spatial distribution characteristics of heavy metals and their ecological effects were revealed.Pollution assessment indicated that the soils in the study area were heavily polluted by Cu,Pb,Zn,and Cd,lightly polluted by Cr,and that Ni was at the warning level;Spatially, heavily polluted samples accounted for up to 70.54%.Geodetector analysis identified the Normalized Difference Vegetation In dex (NDVI) and distance from the tailings pond as the key factors driving the spatial differentiation of heavy metals.Statistical analysis further confirmed that the contents of Cu,Pb,Zn,and Cd significantly decreased with increasing distance from the tail ings pond,demonstrating a clear horizontal migration pattern.Vertically,significant correlations were found between heavy metal contents in maize leaves and soils for Zn (in Area A) and Cd (in Area B),confirming plant uptake and vertical migration.Ad ditionally,soil heavy metal content showed a significant negative correlation with maize leaf chlorophyll content,indicating the inhibition of chlorophyll synthesis.This research provides a scientific basis for understanding the migration behavior of heavy metals in mining areas and for developing targeted ecological restoration strategies.

Key words: lead-zincminingarea,heavymetals,migrationpattern,, soilpollution,pollutionassessment,geodetector