Assessment of metals pollution on agricultural soil surrounding a lead-zinc mining area in the Karst region of Guangxi, China

Bull Environ Contam Toxicol. 2013 Jun;90(6):736-41. doi: 10.1007/s00128-013-0987-6. Epub 2013 Apr 4.

Abstract

Soil samples were collected on farmland in a lead-zinc mining area in the Karst region of Guangxi, China. The contamination of the soil by eight metals (Cd, Hg, As, Cu, Pb, Cr, Zn, Ni) was determined. Among all these metals, Cd is the most serious pollutant in this area. Zn, Hg as well asPb can also be measured at high levels, which may affect the crop production. All other metals contributed marginally to the overall soil contamination. Besides the evaluation of single metals, the Nemerow synthetic index indicated that the soil is not suitable for agricultural use.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • China
  • Lead* / analysis
  • Metals, Heavy / analysis*
  • Mining*
  • Soil Pollutants / analysis*
  • Zinc* / analysis

Substances

  • Metals, Heavy
  • Soil Pollutants
  • Lead
  • Zinc