Characteristics of metal contamination in paddy soils from three industrial cities in South Korea

Paddy soil contamination is directly linked to human dietary exposure to toxic chemicals via crop consumption. In Korea, rice paddy fields are often located around industrial complexes, a major anthropogenic source of metals. In this study, rice paddy soils were collected from 50 sites in three industrial cities to investigate the contamination characteristics and ecological risk of metals in the soils. The cities studied and their major industries are as follows: Ulsan (petrochemical, nonferrous, automobile, and shipbuilding), Pohang (iron and steel), and Gwangyang (iron and steel, nonmetallic, and petrochemical). Thirteen metals (Al, As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn) were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry (ICP–OES). The mean concentration of Cd (1.98 mg/kg) exceeded the soil quality guideline of Canada (1.4 mg/kg), whereas concentrations of other metals were under the standards of both Korea and Canada. Generally, levels of metal concentrations decreased with increasing distance from industrial complexes. Among the three cities, Pohang showed high concentrations of Zn (142.2 mg/kg), and Ulsan and Gwangyang showed high concentrations of Cr (33.9 mg/kg) and Ba (126.4 mg/kg), respectively. These contamination patterns were influenced by the different major industries of each city, which was clearly demonstrated by the principal component analysis results. Pollution indices suggested that As, Cd, Pb, and Zn were enriched in the paddy soils via anthropogenic activities. Comprehensive potential ecological risk indices were at considerable levels for most sites, especially because of major contributions from As and Cd, which can pose potential ecological threats.

     

Assessment of human health risks from heavy metals in outdoor dust samples in a coal mining area

Jharia (India) a coal mining town has been affected by the consequences of mining and associated activities. Samples of outdoor fallen dust were collected at different locations of Jharia covering four different zones: commercial, petrol pump, high traffic, and residential areas. The dust samples were analysed for different trace elements (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, and Zn). The highest concentration of the elements in the dust samples are Mn (658 mg/kg), Zn (163.6 mg/kg), Cr (75.4 mg/kg), Pb (67.8 mg/kg), Ni (66 mg/kg), Cu (56.8 mg/kg), Co (16.9 mg/kg), As (4.1 mg/kg), and Cd (0.78 mg/kg). The concentration of selenium was below detection limit. Except Cd, contents of all the other elements in the dust samples were significantly lower in the residential area. High amount of Ni (145 mg/kg) and Pb (102 mg/kg) was observed in the high traffic and petrol pump areas, respectively. The exposure risk assessment strategies are helpful in predicting the potential health risk of the trace elements in the street dust. Selected receptors for risk assessment were infants, toddlers, children, teens, and adults. The calculated hazard quotient (HQ) for lifetime exposure was <1.0 for all the elements studied, indicating no risks from these elements for adults Among the receptors, toddlers were found to be more vulnerable, with HQ for Co, Cr, and Pb > 0.1. The finding predicts potential health risk to toddlers and children.     

Geochemical investigation of potentially harmful elements in household dust from a mercury-contaminated site,the town of Idrija (Slovenia)

A comprehensive geochemical investigation of potentially harmful elements (PHEs) in household dust from the town of Idrija (Slovenia), once a world-famous Hg mining town that is now seriously polluted, was performed for the first time. After aqua regia digestion, the content of mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) was measured. PHE-bearing particles were recognised and observed by scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive spectrometry before and after exposure to simulated stomach acid (SSA). Mercury binding forms were identified by Hg thermal desorption technique and gastric bioaccessible Hg was estimated after SSA extraction by ICP-MS. With regard to rural and urban background values for Slovenia, high Hg content (6–120 mg/kg) and slightly elevated As content (1–13 mg/kg) were found. Mercury pollution is a result of past mining and ore processing activities. Arsenic content is potentially associated with As enrichment in local soils. Four Hg binding forms were identified: all samples contained Hg bound to the dust matrix, 14 samples contained cinnabar, two samples contained metallic Hg (Hg⁰), and one sample assumingly contained mercury oxide. After exposure to SSA, Hg-bearing phases showed no signs of dissolution, while other PHE-bearing phases were significantly morphologically and/or chemically altered. Estimated gastric Hg bioaccessibility was low (<0.006–0.09 %), which is in accordance with identified Hg binding forms and high organic carbon content (15.9–31.5 %) in the dust samples.     

橡胶园土壤若干微量元素含量 ——以海南省胶园土为例

胶园土壤微量元素含量有一定的特征。海南省胶园土个别样点Ｃｄ偏高,Ｃｕ偏低,其它样点Ｃｄ、Ｃｒ、Ｐｈ、Ｚｎ、Ｃｕ、Ｎｉ、Ｍｏ、Ｈｇ含量正常。土壤母质、质地、化学组成、耕作等对微量元素含量有一定影响。玄武岩上的胶园土微量元素较丰富。质地粘重的土壤微量元素含量往往较高。由于铁的水合物吸附固定作用,Ｃｕ、Ｚｕ、Ｃｄ、Ｈｇ含量与Ｆｅ含量有一定关系。Ｃｕ、Ｚｎ、Ｃｄ、Ｈｇ的许多化学性质相似,它们的含量有一定的相关性。     

广州市菜园土主要蔬菜重金属背景含量的研究

研究了广州市几个主要的蔬菜生产基地种植的白菜、芥蓝、芥菜、菜薹、萝卜、大白菜、豆瓣菜、结球甘蓝、芹菜、菜豆、豌豆、结球莴苣、尖叶莴苣、菠菜、番茄等15种蔬菜中Pb、Hg、Cd、Cr和As等5种重金属的背景质量分数。其背景质量分数为：Pb 0．002～0．148mg/kg；Hg ND-0．006mg/kg；Cd 0．001～0．034mg/kg；Cr 0．002～0．150mg/kg；As 0.001～0．070mg／kg。由于不同种类蔬菜的吸收特性和遗传特性有所不同，其重金属背景质量分数也有很大差异。蔬菜中元素水平还与土壤条件等因素有关。     

武汉市郊区设施蔬菜地土壤重金属含量及其生态风险

采用野外调查采样和室内分析相结合的方法,对武汉市郊部分设施蔬菜地土壤5种重金属砷(As)、汞(Hg)、铬(Cr)、镉(Cd)、铅(Pb)的累积现状和潜在生态风险进行了分析评价.结果表明,研究区土壤中As、Hg、Cr、Cd、Pb的平均含量分别为0.06、0.15、19.85、1.07、5.44 mg/kg,其中Cd和Hg的平均含量分别达到湖北省土壤背景值的9.41和2.36倍;设施蔬菜地土壤中不同重金属的单因子污染状况具有Cd>Hg>Cr>Pb>As的特征,就综合污染指数而言,Cd元素是污染发生的主要贡献因子;从多种重金属潜在综合生态风险指数(RI)来看,研究区仅有18.23%的采样点达到中等生态风险,其余样点的潜在生态风险指数在轻微风险水平范围内.图4表3参15     

重庆市蔬菜基地土壤中重金属含量及污染特征

重庆市蔬菜基地土壤中重金属的平均含量分别为Hg0.185mg/kg．CdO.231mg/kg.Pb21.09mg/kg.As.As7.03mg/kg,Cr47.92mg/kg；部分基地的土壤受到污染．主要污染物为Hg和Cd。由于城市区划的不同，土壤污染程度为近郊区＞工矿区＞远郊区。     

Levels and distribution of trace metals in surface sediments from Kongsfjorden, Svalbard, Norwegian Arctic

Trace metal contents (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) have been measured in 27 surface sediment samples collected from Kongsfjorden, Svalbard, Norwegian Arctic. The analyses yielded concentration values (in mg kg^?1) of 0.13–0.63 for Cd, 11.89–21.90 for Co, 48.65–81.84 for Cr, 21.26–36.60 for Cu, 299.59–683.48 for Mn, 22.43–35.39 for Ni, 10.68–36.59 for Pb, 50.28–199.07 for Zn and 8.09–65.34 for Hg (in ng g^?1), respectively. Relative cumulative frequency method has been used to define the baseline values of these metals, which (in mg kg^?1) were 0.14 for Cd, 13.56 for Co, 57.86 for Cr, 25.14 for Cu, 364.08 for Mn, 26.22 for Ni, 17.46 for Pb, 70.49 for Zn and 9.76 for Hg (in ng g^?1), respectively. The enrichment factor analysis indicated that Hg showed some extent of anthropogenic pollution, while Pb, Zn and Cd showed limited anthropogenic contamination in the study areas.     

Accumulation of heavy metals in soil and paddy crop (Oryza sativa), irrigated with water of Ramgarh Lake,Gorakhpur, UP,India

Heavy metals, a highly polluting group of constituents known to exert adverse effects, tend to accumulate in living organisms. The objective of this study was to determine the accumulation and translocation of heavy metals in soil and in paddy crop irrigated with lake water compared to soil and paddy crop irrigated with bore-well water. The quantities of heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Zn, As, Mn, and Hg) were determined in different parts of rice plants (Oryza sativa). Results revealed that the mean levels of soil Cd, Cr, Pb, Zn, As, Mn, and Hg in experimental soil and in different parts of rice plant (root, straw, and grain) were higher than the control except for Cu. The content of eight toxic metals was significantly higher in root than in aerial parts of the rice (straw and grains). Rice roots were enriched in Cd, As, Hg, and Pb from the soil, while Cr, Cu, Zn, and Mn were hardly taken by the roots. Bioaccumulation factor for Hg was significantly higher than other heavy metals. Metal transfer factors from soil to rice plants were significant for Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Zn, As, Mn, and Hg. The concentrations of metals in lake water were found to be within the permissible limit of Indian standard prescribed by Central Pollution Control Board (2000), except for Hg and As, which were higher than the limit of Indian standard. However, the concentrations of heavy metals in soil and rice grains were still below the maximal levels, as stipulated by Indian Prevention of Food Adulteration Act (PFA, 1954) and World Health Organization (WHO, 1993) guidelines.     

Major and minor element contents of calabash clay (nzu) from Abia State,Nigeria: evaluation of potential intake benefits and risks

Major and trace elements were determined in nzu (calabash clay) from Abia State, Nigeria, by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Mean calcium content was 1900 ± 100 mg/kg dry weight, followed by Na 1400 ± 96, Fe 1500 ± 480, K 260 ± 150, and Mg 100 ± 48 mg/kg. The mean concentration of Zn was 35 ± 5, Cu 16 ± 2.0, Mn 17 ± 5.0, Cr 10 ± 1.0, Ni 9.0 ± 2.0, Cd 4.3 ± 1.7, Co 3.9 ± 1.1, and Pb 3.0 ± 0.8 mg/kg. The contents of Ba and V were <0.4 mg/kg. The mean Pb content was higher than the WHO safe limit (0.4 mg/kg) and EU (1 mg/kg) limit for food. Estimates of daily intake of Cd, Cr, Fe, and Ni upon consuming 30–80g of nzu were above the recommended daily intake values. The Ba, Ca, Co, K, Mg, Na, and Zn contents should not exceed the recommended daily intake while Cd, Ni, and Pb would pose health risks, especially in pregnancy. The total target hazard quotient indicated potential health risks to consumers.     

珠江三角洲养殖鱼塘水体中重金属污染特征和评估

为了解珠江三角洲主要养殖环境中重金属含量及潜在生态危害程度,用电感藕合等离子质谱法和原子荧光法测定了肇庆、广州、惠州和茂名4市14个样点沉积物中7种元素的水体及底泥总量,并对底泥中主要重金属污染状况及潜在生态风险进行了评价。结果表明：养殖鱼塘水体中Cr质量浓度范围是nd-0.1011 mg·L-1,超标率为7.1%,Cu质量浓度范围为nd-0.1438 mg·L-1,超标率为64.3%,As质量浓度范围是0.0112-0.0812 mg·L-1,超标率为24.1%,Hg质量浓度范围是0.00004-0.00458 mg·L^-1,超标率为35.7%,Pb质量浓度范围为nd-0.0973 mg·L^-1,超标率为6.8%,其余Ni、Zn和Cd质量浓度范围分别为nd-0.0218、nd-0.0232和nd-0.00319 mg·L^-1,均未超渔业水质标准;底泥中重金属元素Cr、Cu、Zn、As、Hg、Cd和Pb的平均值分别为83.86、46.19、242.16、32.38、0.64、1.00和60.06 mg·kg^-1,地积累指数评价结果显示,表层沉积物重金属污染程度顺序为Cd＞Hg＞Zn＞Pb＞As＞Cu＞Cr,其中,Cd污染程度为中-强,是底泥污染最严重的元素。潜在生态风险指数分析,单项潜在生态风险指数生态风险均值排列顺序为 Hg＞As＞Cd＞Pb＞Cu＞Zn＞Cr。对区域综合潜在生态风险指数RI的贡献率最大的元素为Hg、As和Cd。4个市底泥潜在生态风险综合指数（RI）比较,惠州（290.13）＞广州（240.54）＞茂名（193.23）＞肇庆（116.40）。Hg和Cd是该水域污染和潜在生态风险最大的元素。     

Distribution of heavy metals in soil and accumulation in plants at an agricultural area of Umudike,Nigeria

This study assessed the distribution of heavy metals in soil and their subsequent accumulation in plants at a site at Umudike, Nigeria, that had been contaminated by agrochemicals. Soil and plant samples were analysed for zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr) and cadmium (Cd). The highest concentrations of Zn (251.50 mg/kg) and Cd (61.33 mg/kg) were obtained at a soil depth of 0–10 cm. The highest concentrations of Zn (16.52 mg/kg), Cd (27.12 mg/kg) and Cr (164.07 mg/kg) were accumulated by Baphia nitida. The levels of Cd, Cr and Zn in soil were 27.97–61.33, 24.97–45.43 and 148.57–251.50 mg/kg, and their concentrations in B. nitida were 16.18–27.13, 97.99–164.07 and 0.10–16.52 mg/kg, respectively. There were significant correlations between Cd and Cr and Cd and Zn in soil, as well as between Cd and Cr in plants. The concentration of Cd in soil reflected a state of pollution relative to Dutch criteria for soil and the FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission.     

淮南市城区地表灰尘重金属分布特征及生态风险评价

城市地表灰尘中重金属会对人体健康和生态环境产生危害,为研究城市中不同功能区地表灰尘重金属的含量和潜在生态危害水平,以典型煤炭资源型城市淮南市的地表灰尘为研究对象,采集工业区、商业区、交通区、文教区、居住区和公园绿地等6种功能用地共40个点位的地表灰尘。采用电感耦合等离子体发射光谱（ICP-OES）和DMA-80直接测汞仪测定Zn、Pb、Cu、Cr、Cd、Ni、Co、V、Hg的含量,分析其在不同功能区地表灰尘中的分布特征、相关性及可能的来源;并应用潜在生态危害指数法对重金属在不同功能区的潜在生态危害进行评价。结果表明：1）淮南市地表灰尘中 Zn、Pb、Cu、Cr、Cd、Ni、Co、V、Hg的平均质量分数分别是202.59、74.63、62.74、110.69、0.57、35.82、12.18、50.95和0.105 mg·kg-1,其中Zn、Pb、Cu、Cr、Cd、Ni、Hg的平均含量分别是淮南市土壤背景值的3.47、3.17、2.04、1.21、9.50、1.12、2.56倍,是中国土壤背景值的2.73、2.87、2.78、1.81、5.88、1.33、1.62倍。2）9种重金属中,Zn和V的含量在不同功能区分布相对均匀,其他重金属在不同功能区含量均表现出较明显的空间异质性。3）不同功能区中,Zn、Pb、Cu、Ni、Co、V、Hg的平均含量在工业区最高,Cr 和 Cd 的平均含量在交通区最高。4）不同重金属的相关性表明,Zn、Pb、Cu、Cd、Ni 等5种元素有同一来源,Co 和 V 有同一来源。5）单项潜在生态危害系数大小为 Cd〉Hg〉〉Pb〉Cu〉Ni〉Co〉Zn〉Cr〉V。不同功能区9种重金属复合生态危害均处于强生态危害水平（300≤RI〈600）,其中工业区和交通区潜在生态危害水平最高。     

Calibration for the determination of 19 trace elements in serum and urine

A fast, high-throughput and accurate method was developed for determination of Al, As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, U, Zn, Sb, Sn, I and Hg in urine and serum by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The samples were directly analyzed after 1/20 (v/v) dilution in 0.4% (v/v) HNO₃ and 0.005% Triton X-100. Three calibration modes were tested: aqueous and matrix matching with urine and serum. The accuracy was tested using reference materials of serum, urine and spiking. Results showed that the use of matrix matching calibration reduced the interferences and improved the recoveries for Al, Co, Pb and I in urine. The matrix matching did not affect the results considerably for serum. When serum was spiked with As, Co, Cs, Pb, U, Hg, I, Ba, Al, Cr and Ni, only matrix matching presented good recoveries. Helium was used as a collision cell gas reducing effectively polyatomic interferences for Al, Mn, Cu, Ni, Cr, Zn, As and Fe. Selection of the best internal standard was carried out for each element. The use of diluted HNO₃ improved the limit of detection. Finally, the method was applied successfully in samples of urine from workers occupationally exposed.     

珠江三角洲典型地区蔬菜重金属污染现状研究--以中山市和东莞市为例

以珠江三角洲典型地区中山市与东莞市为研究对象，通过对其大型蔬菜生产基地中10种蔬菜76个样品中重金属元素铬、铅、镉和汞的含量进行分析，初步摸清了珠江三角洲典型地区中山市与东莞市蔬菜中的重金属污染状况，并在不同城市不同蔬菜品种之间的污染程度进行了比较。结果表明，蔬菜中铬、铅、镉、汞的平均含量分别为0．1719、0．0962、0．0257和0.0014mg/kg，其中铬、铅、镉含量超出了国家卫生标准的允许量的蔬菜样品分别有1．3％、13，2％与13．2％；4种重金属在10种蔬菜中的平均残留量由大到小依次为：铬→铅→镉→汞；铅、镉是珠江三角洲典型地区中山市与东莞市蔬菜中的主要污染元素。     

Assessment of potentially toxic elements in Swiss chard and sediments of Akaki River,Ethiopia

For the determination of 15 potentially toxic elements (V, Cr, Fe, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Ag, Cd, Sn, Hg, and Pb) in plant and sediment samples of the Akaki River, Ethiopia, inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry, and a RA-915+ mercury analyzer were applied. Sediment and plant samples were mineralized using a closed-vessel microwave-assisted digestion system. The elemental concentrations varied considerably in plant and sediment samples. The minimum concentration was observed for known toxic elements (As, Hg, and Cd) while the highest concentration was observed for the elements of relatively low toxicity Zn, Mn, and Fe. The concentration of Cr, Fe, Pb, Zn, and As in Swiss chard surpassed the maximum permissible levels at specific sites. At some of the sites, the sediment quality guidelines are surpassed for Cu, Zn, and Pb.     

豫北典型农田作物中重金属污染状况及健康风险评价

农产品污染引发的食品安全问题目前已经成为全社会关注的焦点,为了研究和评价农作物中重金属污染和健康风险状况,采集了焦作市武陟县玉米、水稻和花生三种大田作物样品,共计47个样品,其中玉米样品16个,花生样品4个,水稻样品27个。在测定作物籽粒中重金属Cr、Ni、As、Cd和Pb含量的基础上,分别采用单因子污染指数和综合污染指数法评价了作物籽粒中重金属的污染状况,并运用危险商（HQ）法评价了这些作物中的重金属对人体健康可能造成的风险,进而应用相关分析法、聚类分析法及主成分分析法,探讨了作物籽粒中重金属含量的分布特征及其污染来源。结果表明：武陟县农田作物籽粒中的Cr、Ni、As、Cd和Pb的平均含量分别为0.26±0.42、0.31±0.29、0.04±0.03、0.01±0.04和0.03±0.03 mg·kg^-1。其中,玉米籽粒中的Cr、Ni、As、Cd和Pb的平均含量分别为8.86×10^-2±0.21、9.41×10^-2±0.12、8.10×10^-3±5.29×10^-3、1.20×10^-5±4.92×10^-5和0.04±0.02 mg·kg^-1;水稻籽粒中的Cr、Ni、As、Cd和Pb的平均含量分别为0.38±0.49、0.44±0.31、0.07±0.02、4.60×10^-3±7.42×10^-3和0.03±0.03 mg·kg^-1;花生籽粒中的Cr、Ni、As、Cd和Pb的平均含量分别为0.13±0.22、0.32±0.16、0.02±3.05×10^-3、0.11±0.07和1.32×10^-2±1.70×10^-2 mg·kg^-1。农作物籽粒中各重金属元素的单因子污染指数评价结果显示,从总体上看,3种农作物籽粒中5种重金属的单因子污染指数均值均小于1,单因子污染指数均值大小顺序为：Ni＞As＞Cr＞Pb＞Cd;从作物类型来看,玉米和水稻中Ni超标的样品比率分别为6.67%和51.85%,水稻中Cr超标的样品比率为12%。农作物籽粒中各重金属元素的综合污染指数评价结果显示,重金属的平均综合污染指数为0.59,整体上处于安全等级。总体来看,14.89%的农作物受到不同程度的污染,其中轻度污染的农?     

海南岛北部潮间带红树林对重金属的累积特征

对海南岛北部潮间带红树林湿地7种红树植物（根、茎、叶）及其根系沉积物中重金属元素含量进行了分析,结果表明：研究区湿地沉积物中Ni、Cu、Zn、As和Cd的变异系数大于0.50,沉积物中重金属分布很不稳定。其中Cr、Cu、Zn、As和Cd的含量均高于海南水系沉积物背景值,可能存在外源的输入。仅有Pb的含量略低于海南水系沉积物背景值。总体来看,大部分植物显示了对Cd元素的较强的富集能力（BAC〉1）,瓶花木对重金属元素的吸收能力总体上要比其他红树植物强一些,木果楝对重金属元素的吸收能力总体上最弱。其中,瓶花木（Scyphiphora hydrophyllacea）对Cr、Zn、As和Cd的吸收能力较强,莲叶桐（Hernandia sonora）对Cr和Ni的吸收能力较强,角果木（Ceriops tagal）对Pb的富集能力较强。角果木（Ceriops tagal）和桐花树（Aegiceras corniculatum）对Cd和Pb的运输能力较强,瓶花木（Scyphiphora hydrophyllacea）对Cu、Zn和Cd的运输能力较强,尖瓣海莲（Bruguiera sexangula）对Cr、Ni、Cd和Pb的运输能力较强,木榄（Bruguiera gymnorrhiza）对Ni、Cu、Cd和Pb的运输能力较强,木果楝（Xylocarpus granatum）对Cr、Zn和Cd的运输能力较强,莲叶桐（Hernandia sonora）对Cr也有较强的运输能力。但此次所研究的红树植物对As元素的运输能力均很弱,建议适量引入适宜在研究区生长并且对As元素富集能力较强的植物。     

Concentration of heavy metals in the food web of Lake Egirdir, Turkey

The concentration of heavy metals (Cr, Cd, Hg and Pb,) was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry in sediment, water, plankton and fish samples from Lake Egirdir in South-Western Turkey. Lake Egirdir is an important bird nesting and visiting areas, and it is also used as irrigation and drinking water source. The heavy metal concentrations were in the order Cd > Pb > Cr > Hg in water, Cr > Pb > Cd > Hg in sediment, Pb > Cd > Cr > Hg in plankton, Cd > Cr > Pb > Hg in the muscle and Cd > Pb > Cr > Hg in the gills of Ctenophatyngodon idella. The significant differences of concentrations occurred in water, sediment, plankton and fish tissues (Chi square test, p < 0.05). The concentrations of the heavy metals in water and fish tissues of three years old, were above the maximum permissible level for human consumption.     

Heavy metals in soils and crops in Southeast Asia 2. Thailand

A reconnaissance soil geochemical and concomitant plant survey based on 318 soil (0-15 cm) and 122 plant samples was used for the assessment of heavy metal pollution of agricultural soils and crops of Thailand. Arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) were determined in soils using aqua regia digestion, and in plants using nitric acid digestion. Organic carbon (C), pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and available phosphorus (P) were determined on the soil samples using appropriate procedures. Results indicated that concentrations of heavy metals varied widely among the different regions of Thailand. Regression analysis between the concentrations of metals in soil (aqua regia extractable) and edible plant parts indicated a small but positive relationship for Cd in all the plants sampled in the survey (R2 = 0.081, p < 0.001). There was also a positive relationship between soil and plant Cd concentrations in rice (R2 = 0.242, p < 0.010), and negative relationships for Zn in rice (R2 = 0.385, p < 0.001), and Cu (R2 = 0.355, p < 0.001) and Zn (R2 = 0.122, p < 0.026) in glutinous rice. Principal component analysis of the soil data suggested that concentrations of As, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni and Pb were strongly correlated with concentrations of Al and Fe, which is suggestive of evidence of background variations due to changes in soil mineralogy. Thus, the evidence for widespread contamination of soils by these elements through agricultural activities is not strong. On the other hand, Cd and Zn were strongly correlated with organic matter and concentrations of available and aqua regia extractable P. This is attributed to input of contaminants in agricultural fertilisers and soil amendments (e.g. manures, composts).