Abstract
This study investigated the source and magnitude of metal contamination in soils and vegetables collected in the vicinity of the Daye smelter, China. Results showed that soils and vegetables were heavily contaminated by cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb). The average levels of Cd and Pb in vegetables were 0.21 and 3.28 mg/kg fresh weight, respectively. Community Bureau of Reference (BCR) operational speciation analysis indicated that the source of metals in soils probably resulted from sewage irrigation and contaminated sediment. Transfer and correlation coefficients were also calculated to evaluate the bioavailability of metals to vegetables. This investigation highlights the potential risk to local residents via consumption of vegetables.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bi XY, Ma ZD (2003) Survey and strategies of cadmium pollution in the farmland near a copper smelter (in Chinese). Geol Sci Technol Inf 22:87–90
Burt R, Wilson MA, Keck TJ, Dougherty BD , Strom DE, Lindahl JA (2003) Trace element speciation in selected smelter-contaminated soils in Anaconda and Deer Lodge Valley, Montana, USA. Adv Environ Res 8:51–67
Chen HY, Ouyang JP, Ma ZD (2003) Status and countermeasures for cadmium contamination of farmland in the vicinity of Daye smelter (in Chinese). Soils 1:76–81
Cui YJ, Zhu YG, Zhai RH, Chen DY, Huang YZ, Qiu Y, Liang JZ (2004) Transfer of metals from soil to vegetables in an area near a smelter in Nanning, China. Environ Intern 30:785–791
Fernandez-Turiel JL, Acěnolaza P, Medina ME, Llorens JF, Sardi F (2001) Assessment of a smelter impact area using surface soils and plants. Environ Geochem Health 23:65–78
Kabala C, Singh BR (2001) Fractionation and mobility of copper, lead, and zinc in soil profiles in the vicinity of a copper smelter. J Environ Qual 30:485–492
Kachenko AG, Singh B (2006) Heavy metals contamination in vegetables grown in urban and metal smelter contamination sites in Australia. Water Air Soil Pollut 169:101–123
Kloke A, Sauerbeck DR, Vetter H (1984) The contamination of plants and soils with heavy metals and the transport of metals in terrestrial food chains, In Nriagu JO (ed.), Changing Metal Cycles and Human Health: Report of the Dahlem Workshop on Changing Metal Cycles and Human Health, Berlin, Germany, pp. 113–141. March 20–25 1983
McCleod S (1975) Studies on wet oxidation procedures for the determination of organic carbon in soil. In: CSIRO Division of Soils (ed.), Notes on Soil Techniques, CSIRO Division of Soils, Australia, pp. 73–79
N WZ, M HY, H JX, L XX (2004) Heavy Metal Concentrations in Vegetable Garden Soils from the Suburb of Hangzhou, Peoples Republic of China. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 72:165–169
Rauret G, López-Sánchez JF, Sahuquillo A, Rubio R, Davidson C, Ure A, Quevauviller Ph (1999) Improvement of the BCR three step sequential extraction procedure prior to the certification of new sediment and soil reference materials. J Environ Moit 1:57–61
SEPAC (1994) Tolerance Limits of Copper, Lead and Cadmium in foods (GB 15199-94, GB 14935-94, GB 15201–94)
SEPAC (1995) Environmental Quality Standard for Soils (GB 15618–1995)
Storm GL, Fosmire GJ, Bellis ED (1994) Persistence of metals in soil and selected vertebrates in the vicinity of the Palmerton zinc smelters. J Environ Qual 23:508–514
Tessier A, Campbell PGC, Bisson M (1979) Sequential extraction procedure for the speciation of particulate trace metals. Anal Chem 51:844–851
Tokalioğlu Ş, Kartal Ş (2003) Relationship between vegetable metal and soil-extractable metal contents by the BCR sequential extraction procedure: chemometrical interpretation of the data. Intern J Environ Anal Chem 83:935–952
Wang XL, Satoa T, Xing BS, Tao S (2005) Health risks of heavy metals to the general public in Tianjin, China via consumption of vegetables and fish. Sci Total Environ 350:28–37
Acknowledgments
We would like to acknowledge Prof. Burnet for English correction. This work was financed by the Talent Foundation of the China University of Geosciences under contract no. 2003A3.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Yan, S., Ling, Q.C. & Bao, Z.Y. Metals Contamination in Soils and Vegetables in Metal Smelter Contaminated Sites in Huangshi, China. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 79, 361–366 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-007-9219-2
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-007-9219-2