[Objective]To understand the arable land soil quality of Suzhou prefecture, heavy metal elements in the soil of Zhuxianzhuang mine and arable land around railway and highway in Suzhou city were tested and analyzed. [Methods] The single factor pollution index method, the Neimeruo comprehensive pollution index method, and the potential risk assessment method were adopted to explore the pollution characteristics of the heavy metal contents in arable land and the risk assessment for Suzhou prefecture. [Results]The average content of Cd in the sampled areas is 0.4 mg/kg, which is four times the background value of Anhui province; other heavy metal elements did not exceed the background value. The sampled areas are ranked according to the Nemero comprehensive pollution index from large to small: Zhuxianzhuang Mine> Railway=Provincial Road 303>Honghe Road. Except for minor contamination of one Cu element point in the Zhuxianzhuang mine, all sampled points in the other three sampled areas are within the safe range. The data analysis indicated that single potential Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA) index were in the order of Cd>Cu>Ni>Cr>Pb>Zn. Compared with the RI≤150, the RI index ranged from 21.0 to 27.0, and all the four sampled areas were in the state of slight pollution. [Conclusion]The problem of excessive Cd element in the sampled area is serious and the whole area is in a state of slight pollution. Relevant government agencies should be vigilant and strengthen supervision and control. Keywords: arable land soil; heavy metal; ecological