Concentrations of heavy metals in urban soils of Talcahuano (Chile): a preliminary study

Concentrations of Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, and Zn in the top-(0–10 cm) and sub-surface (10–20 cm) soils of the Talcahuano urban area were measured. The main soil properties (organic matter, CaCO₃, pH, particle sizes) were determined for a network of representative sampling sites. The mean Cr, Ni, Pb, and Zn contents in the urban topsoil samples from Talcahuano (37.8, 22.6, 35.2, 333 mg kg⁻¹, respectively) were compared with mean concentrations for other cities around the world. The results revealed higher concentrations of heavy metals in topsoil samples than in sub-surface samples. The samples from IS1, IS2, and IS3, located in the Talcahuano industrial park, had higher Cr, Ni, Pb, and Zn contents than did samples from the other sites. This was probably due to local pollution by industrial (metallurgical) dust, although other diffuse pollution throughout the entire port region (shipyards, metallurgy, the dismantling of old ships), and contributions from the wind from adjacent industrial, storage, and vessel areas clearly played a role. Heavy metals were lowest in the sample taken on school grounds (SG).     

Geochemical position of Pb,Zn and Cd in soils near the Olkusz mine/smelter,South Poland: effects of land use,type of contamination and distance from pollution source

The soils adjacent to an area of historical mining, ore processing and smelting activities reflects the historical background and a mixing of recent contamination sources. The main anthropogenic sources of metals can be connected with historical and recent mine wastes, direct atmospheric deposition from mining and smelting processes and dust particles originating from open tailings ponds. Contaminated agriculture and forest soil samples with mining and smelting related pollutants were collected at different distances from the source of emission in the Pb–Zn–Ag mining area near Olkusz, Upper Silesia to (a) compare the chemical speciation of metals in agriculture and forest soils situated at the same distance from the point source of pollution (paired sampling design), (b) to evaluate the relationship between the distance from the polluter and the retention of the metals in the soil, (c) to describe mineralogy transformation of anthropogenic soil particles in the soils, and (d) to assess the effect of deposited fly ash vs. dumped mining/smelting waste on the mobility and bioavailability of metals in the soil. Forest soils are much more affected with smelting processes than agriculture soils. However, agriculture soils suffer from the downward metal migration more than the forest soils. The maximum concentrations of Pb, Zn, and Cd were detected in a forest soil profile near the smelter and reached about 25 g kg^− 1, 20 g kg^− 1 and 200 mg kg^− 1 for Pb, Zn and Cd, respectively. The metal pollutants from smelting processes are less stable under slightly alkaline soil pH then acidic due to the metal carbonates precipitation. Metal mobility ranges in the studied forest soils are as follows: Pb > Zn ≈ Cd for relatively circum-neutral soil pH (near the smelter), Cd > Zn > Pb for acidic soils (further from the smelter). Under relatively comparable pH conditions, the main soil properties influencing metal migration are total organic carbon and cation exchange capacity. The mobilization of Pb, Zn and Cd in soils depends on the persistence of the metal-containing particles in the atmosphere; the longer the time, the more abundant the stable forms. The dumped mining/smelting waste is less risk of easily mobilizable metal forms, however, downward metal migration especially due to the periodical leaching of the waste was observed.     

Using Ion-Exchange Resins to Study Soil Response to Experimental Watershed Acidification

Ion-exchange resins (IER) offer alternative approaches to measuring ionic movement in soils that may have advantages over traditional approaches in some settings, but more information is needed to understand how IER compare with traditional methods of measurement in forested ecosystems. At the Bear Brook Watershed in Maine (BBWM), one of two paired, forested watersheds is treated bi-monthly with S and N (28.8 and 25.2kgha⁻¹yr⁻¹ of S and N, respectively). Both IER and ceramic cup tension lysimeters were used to study soil solution responses after ∼11 years of treatment. Results from both methods showed treatments resulted in the mobilization of base cations and Al, and higher SO₄—S and inorganic N in the treated watershed. Both methods indicated similar differences in results associated with forest type (hardwoods versus softwoods), a result of differences in litter quality and atmospheric aerosol interception capacity. The correlation between lysimeter and IER data for individual analytes varied greatly. Significant correlations were evident for Na (r=0.75), Al (r=0.65), Mn (r=0.61), Fe (r=0.57), Ca (r=0.49), K (r=0.41) and NO₃—N (r=0.59). No correlation was evident between IER and soil solution data for NH₄—N and Pb. Both IER and soil solution techniques suggested similar interpretations of biogeochemical behavior in the watershed.     

The contents and forms of solid-phase species of radioactive strontium and cesium in Taiwan soils

This study was to investigate the activities and contents of ¹³⁷Cs in the profiles of selected arable and forest soils in Taiwan and various solid-phase species of ⁸⁵Sr and ¹³⁷Cs in selected arable soils in Taiwan. The gamma (γ) ray spectra of the collected soil samples and some of the soils amended with ⁸⁵Sr and ¹³⁷Cs were measured. The data indicate that the arable soils from Sanhsing series, Sanhsing Township and Chuangwei series, Chuangwei Township, Ilan County, and from Tunglochuan series, Pinglin Township, Taipei County shows significantly higher radioactivity of ¹³⁷Cs (ND − 11.0 ± 0.2 Bq kg⁻¹). Furthermore, the radioactivity of ¹³⁷Cs in the mountain soils (1.24 ± 0.07 − 42 ± 1 Bq kg⁻¹) from Yuanyang Lake Nature Preserve among Ilan, Taoyuan, and Hsinchu Counties is the highest among the investigated mountain forest soils. This may be mainly attributed to the fact that Ilan County is located in the northeastern part of Taiwan and faces the northeastern and northern seasonal winds with lots of precipitation annually from mid-autumn through mid-spring next year and is receiving greater amount of fallouts yearly. Due to longer reaction period (≥3 y) of ¹³⁷Cs with soil components, ¹³⁷Cs was mainly in the forms bound to oxides and to organic matter in the soil amended with ¹³⁷Cs and in the soil contaminated with ¹³⁷Cs. On the contrary, due to shorter reaction period (<60 d) of ⁸⁵Sr with soil components, ⁸⁵Sr was mainly in exchangeable form and partially in the forms bound to carbonates and oxides in the soils amended with ⁸⁵Sr.     

Use of Stable Nitrogen Isotopes and Permeable Membrane Devices to Study what Factors Influence Freshwater Mollusk Survival in the Conasauaga River

Recent biological inventory data shows severe declines in freshwater mussel abundance and biodiversity in the Conasauga River Basin in Northwest Georgia, USA. Based on assessments of habitat conditions, mussel populations should be sustainable. We conducted a study of sediment and water quality to evaluate the impact of anthropogenic contamination on mussel populations. Permeable membrane devices (PMD), polar organic chemical integrative samplers (POCIS™), conventional water and sediment quality analyses, and stable nitrogen isotope ratio analyses (δ¹⁵N) of snails and sediments were used to assess sediment and water quality at target sites throughout the basin. Ambient concentrations of organic contaminants in water were well below any aquatic life criteria; concentrations of some nutrients were detected above aquatic life criteria levels. Most mussel species in the river are endangered or threatened; therefore, snails were collected for δ¹⁵N analyses. Mean δ¹⁵N values for snails collected at forested upper watershed sites (national forest areas) were significantly lower than δ¹⁵N values from snails in agricultural areas. δ¹⁵N values for raw cow manure and manure-treated soil were similar to δ¹⁵N values for snails collected in agricultural areas. Dissolved nitrate from water samples had elevated δ¹⁵N values similar to the upper range of δ¹⁵N values for snails in agricultural areas. Data, particularly stable nitrogen isotope data, indicates that a land use change from national forest land to agriculture alters nitrogen sources to the basin and snails. Implications of nutrient release on freshwater molluscan reproduction, growth, and survival are discussed.     

徽县铅锌冶炼区土壤中重金属的空间分布特征

采集甘肃省徽县铅锌冶炼区域土壤样品,分析该区域内重金属污染分布规律及污染特征。结果表明,表层土壤中Pb、Cd、Cu、Zn的平均含量分别为214、3.12、25.8、79.5 mg/kg。研究区域内重金属的分布特征显示,污染浓度由冶炼厂中心向四周递减。纵向0~30 cm范围内重金属含量逐渐降低,大部分重金属污染物集中在土壤表层的0~20 cm区域,其中0~2 cm区域内含量较高,Pb和Cd的最高含量分别达到3 877、24.8 mg/kg,与国家土壤环境质量二级标准(p H 6.5~7.5)(GB 15618—1995)相比,分别超标13、82倍,属于重度污染。重金属元素的分布与土壤有机碳含量及p H相关。冶炼厂周围的重金属污染应引起有关部门的高度重视,严格控制污染源,尽快采取措施以防止污染范围进一步扩大。     

Determination of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) in agricultural soils near a petrochemical complex in Guangzhou,China

The total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) pollution in regional agricultural soils was investigated. Seventy soil samples collected from surface layers (0–20 cm) and horizons of five selected pedons in the vicinity of a petrochemical complex in Guangzhou, China were analyzed, and the vertical variation and spatial variability of TPH were evaluated. The TPH concentration in top soils around the petrochemical complex ranged from 1,179.3 to 6,354.9 mg kg^− 1, with the average of 2,676.6 mg kg^− 1. Furthermore, significant differences between land-use types showed that the TPH concentration in top soils was strongly influenced by accidental spills. Both the TPH trends in pedons and the identified hot-spot areas also showed that the accidental explosions or burning accidents were mainly responsible for the pollution. The results reported here suggest that the regular monitoring and inspection shall be conducted for safety and to avoid or minimize the accidents, and the effective measures should be taken to remediate the contaminated areas and to assure that the important industrialization of Guangzhou area would not mean human health risks near the petrochemical complex.     

Irrigation Efficiency and Quality of Irrigation Return Flows in the Ebro River Basin: An Overview

The review analysis of twenty two irrigation efficiency (IE) studies carried out in the Ebro River Basin shows that IE is low (average IE)_avg(= 53%) in surface-irrigated areas with high-permeable and shallow soils inadequate for this irrigation system, high (IE)_avg(= 79%) in surface-irrigated areas with appropriate soils for this system, and very high (IE)_avg(= 94%) in modern, automated and well managed sprinkler-irrigated areas. The unitary salt (total dissolved solids) and nitrate loads exported in the irrigation return flows (IRF) of seven districts vary, depending on soil salinity and on irrigation and N fertilization management, between 3–16 Mg salt/ha⋅ year and 23–195 kg NO)₃ ⁻-N/ha⋅ year, respectively. The lower nitrate loads exported from high IE districts show that a proper irrigation design and management is a key factor to reduce off-site nitrogen pollution. Although high IE’s also reduce off-site salt pollution, the presence of salts in the soil or subsoil may induce relatively high salt loads (≥14 Mg/ha⋅ year) even in high IE districts. Two important constrains identified in our revision were the short duration of most surveys and the lack of standards for conducting irrigation efficiency and mass balance studies at the irrigation district level. These limitations {emphasize the need for the establishment of a permanent and standardized network of drainage monitoring stations for the appropriate off-site pollution diagnosis and control of irrigated agriculture.     

Spatial Variability and Monitoring of Pb Contamination of Farming Soils Affected by Industry

In this study, the relationship between some physico-chemical properties of soils and lead contamination in soil due to emission from industrial operations in Samsun province of Turkey was investigated. The extent of timely contamination was studied by comparing the obtained results with the results of the study conducted in the same region in 1998. An area of 225 km² (15 km × 15 km), which was divided into 1000 × 1000 m grid squares (16 lines in the east and south directions), was selected within the industrial area. The total of 256 grid points was obtained and soil samples were collected from three depths (0–5, 5–15, and 15–30 cm) of each grid center in 2004. The total Pb concentrations of soil samples were determined as 65.84–527.04 μg g⁻¹ at 0–5 cm in depth, 58.50 – 399.54 μg g⁻¹ at 5–15 cm in depth, and 44.65–330.07 μg g⁻¹ at 15–30 cm in depth. DTPA-extractable Pb concentrations of soils were found to be in the range of 1.52–9.03 μg g⁻¹, 0.54–7.09 μg g⁻¹, 0.19–6.13 μg g⁻¹ at 0–5, 5–15, and 15–30 cm depths, respectively. There were significant relationships between both total or DTPA-extractable Pb concentrations and selected physico-chemical properties of soil. According to enrichment factor (EF) values calculated from the total Pb concentrations, 11.3% of the study area (225 km²) was enriched with Pb in high level, but 77% of the area was in significant enrichment level with Pb. The average total and DTPA-extractable Pb concentrations increased as 11 and 13%, respectively in comparison with the results of 1998.     

Geostatistical 3-dimensional integration of measurements of soil magnetic susceptibility

In soil magnetometry, two types of measurements are usually performed. The first type is measurements performed on the soil surface, frequently using an MS2D sensor. The second type includes measurements of magnetic susceptibility carried out in the soil profile, usually to a depth of about 30 cm. Up to now, such measurement results were analyzed separately. However, it is possible and advantageous to integrate these two types of measurements. The goal of the study was to integrate measurements of magnetic susceptibility performed on the soil surface and in the soil profile. More specifically, the goal was to obtain 3-dimensional spatial distributions of magnetic susceptibility of the topsoil horizon. Results show that it is possible to effectively integrate measurements of magnetic susceptibility performed on the soil surface and in the soil profile. Moreover, the 3-dimensional spatial distribution that is obtained shows the magnetic susceptibility of the top 20 cm of soil, which includes the soil horizons where most of the heavy metals are accumulated. The analysis of such a spatial distribution can be very helpful in delineating areas where the heightened magnetic susceptibility is a result of the influence of anthropogenic pollution from those areas where it results from lithogenic origin. It is possible to investigate where the volumes of soil with heightened magnetic susceptibility are located in the soil profile and in this way investigate which characteristic type of soil profile it is.     

Adsorption and degradation of sulfosulfuron in soils

Adsorption of sulfosulfuron was studied in two soils (topsoil from Alfisol and Inceptisol). The adsorption of sulfosulfuron was greater in topsoil collected from Alfisol than in Inceptisol. The soil sorption coefficient K and the soil organic carbon sorption coefficient K _oc are the basic parameters used for describing the environmental fate of the herbicides. In topsoil the calculated K values from Alfisol was 4.43 and in topsoil from Inceptisol was 2.00. K _c values were 6.06 in topsoil from Alfisol and 3.33 in topsoil from Inceptisol. The K _oc values were 886.36 in topsoil from Alfisol and 770.26 in topsoil from Inceptisol. Field experimental plots with no previous history of sulfosulfuron were selected and studied the degradation of sulfosulfuron in the topsoil collected from Alfisol and Inceptisol. The half-life of sulfosulfuron in topsoil from Alfisol: T ₁− 3.97 days and T ₂− 4.54 days; topsoil from Inceptisol: T ₁ − 4.68 days and T ₂ − 5.52 days. The degradation of sulfosulfuron followed first-order kinetics. The persistence of sulfosulfuron was found relatively longer in the Inceptisol than in Alfisol. The combination of degradation data (t _1/2 – soil) and organic carbon based sorption (K _oc) data of herbicides have been used to assess the pesticide environmental impact in soils through Gustafson Ubiquity Score (GUS). The GUS values were found to be 0.69 in topsoil from Alfisol and 0.83 in Inceptisol.     

Combining policy instruments for sustainable energy systems: An assessment with the GMM model

An assessment of the impact of an illustrative portfolio of policy instruments that address different sustainability concerns in the global energy system in areas of climate change, air pollution and introduction of renewable-energy resources is conducted. The effects of a policy set containing three instruments, implemented either individually or in combination, were examined. The policy instruments under examination in this work include: Cap-and-Trade policies imposing a CO₂ emission reduction target on the global energy system, a renewable portfolio standard that forces a minimum share of renewable electricity generation, and the internalisation of external costs of power generation associated with local pollution. Implementation of these policy instruments significantly changes the structure and environmental performance of the energy sector, and particularly the structure of the electric-generation sector. The positive effects are amplified when the policy instruments are simultaneously applied, illustrating the potential for synergies between these energy-policy domains. The analysis has been conducted with the multi-regional, energy-system Global MARKAL Model (GMM), a “bottom-up” partial-equilibrium model that provides a detailed representation of energy technologies and endogenizes technology learning. ^★A preliminary version of this paper has been presented at the 6th IAEE European Energy Conference on “Modelling in Energy Economics and Policy”, 1–3 September 2004, ETH Zürich, Switzerland.     

226Ra, 232Th and 40K analysis in soil samples from some areas of Malwa region, Punjab, India using gamma ray spectrometry

The activity concentrations of soil samples collected from thirty different locations of Malwa region of Punjab were determined by using HPGe detector based on high-resolution gamma spectrometry system. The range of activity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K in the soil from the studied areas varies from 18.37 Bq kg⁻¹ (Sangrur) to 53.11 Bq kg⁻¹ (Sitoguno), 57.28 Bq kg⁻¹ (Dhanola) to 148.28 Bq kg⁻¹ (Sitoguno) and 211.13 Bq kg⁻¹ (Sunam) to 413.27 Bq kg⁻¹ (Virk Khera) with overall mean values of 35 Bq kg⁻¹, 80 Bq kg⁻¹and 317 Bq kg⁻¹ respectively. The absorbed dose rate calculated from activity concentration of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K ranges between 8.47 and 24.48, 35.68 and 92.38, and 8.74 and 17.11 nGy h⁻¹, respectively. The total absorbed dose in the study area ranges from 58.08 nGy h⁻¹ to 130.85 nGy h⁻¹ with an average value of 79.11 nGy h⁻¹. The calculated values of external hazard index (H_ex) for the soil samples of the study area range from 0.35 to 0.79. Since these values are lower than unity, therefore, according to the Radiation Protection 112 (European Commission. Radiation Protection 112 1999) report, soil from these regions is safe and can be used as a construction material without posing any significant radiological threat to population.     

The assessment of spatial distribution of soil salinity risk using neural network

Soil salinity in the Aral Sea Basin is one of the major limiting factors of sustainable crop production. Leaching of the salts before planting season is usually a prerequisite for crop establishment and predetermined water amounts are applied uniformly to fields often without discerning salinity levels. The use of predetermined water amounts for leaching perhaps partly emanate from the inability of conventional soil salinity surveys (based on collection of soil samples, laboratory analyses) to generate timely and high-resolution salinity maps. This paper has an objective to estimate the spatial distribution of soil salinity based on readily or cheaply obtainable environmental parameters (terrain indices, remote sensing data, distance to drains, and long-term groundwater observation data) using a neural network model. The farm-scale (∼15 km²) results were used to upscale soil salinity to a district area (∼300 km²). The use of environmental attributes and soil salinity relationships to upscale the spatial distribution of soil salinity from farm to district scale resulted in the estimation of essentially similar average soil salinity values (estimated 0.94 vs. 1.04 dS m⁻¹). Visual comparison of the maps suggests that the estimated map had soil salinity that was uniform in distribution. The upscaling proved to be satisfactory; depending on critical salinity threshold values, around 70–90% of locations were correctly estimated.     

长沙市某集中式饮用水水源地周边土壤重金属污染特征和风险评价

以长沙某河库兼用型饮用水水源地一、二级保护区土壤为研究对象,于2018年8月采用网格布点法在一级和二级保护区分别布设3个和7个采样点,在水源地历史采样区布设5个采样点,探究土壤中Cd、Pb、Cr、Cu、Zn、Ni、Hg、As的含量分布及污染水平。结果表明：土壤中As、Cd、Cr、Cu、Hg、Ni、Pb、Zn的含量均值分别为46.56、4.90、81.87、46.64、0.19、30.11、75.11、237.93 mg/kg。重金属元素含量均值超过农用地污染风险筛选值的样品占比排序为Cd （86.7%）>Zn （60%）>As （53.3%）>Cu （6.7%）=Pb （6.7%）。土壤中As、Cd、Cr、Cu、Hg、Ni、Pb、Zn的单因子污染指数分别为1.55、16.34、0.41、0.47、0.08、0.30、0.63、0.95,主要为Cd、As污染。研究区土壤重金属综合污染指数为11.71,属重污染等级。水源地一级保护区、二级保护区、历史采样区2018年、历史采样区2014年土壤重金属综合污染指数分别为20.41、14.94、1.98、1.17。后期应加强对该饮用水水源地土壤中Cd、Pb、Cu、Zn、As的污染控制和治理。     

Environmental study of two significant solid samples: gravitation dust sediment and soil

In this work are presented results of the complex study of two significant solid environmental samples: gravitation dust sediments (industrial pollutants, potential source of risk elements input to soils) and soils (component of the environment, potential source of risk elements input to food web). The first phase of this study was focused on the study of the significant chemical properties (phase composition, content of organic and inorganic carbon) of the dust and soil samples. In the second phase, the fractionation analysis was used on the evaluation of the mobility of chosen risk elements (Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn) in the studied samples. The single-step extractions were applied in the order of the isolation of the element forms (fractions), with different mobilities during defined ecological conditions by utilization of the following reagents: 1 mol dm^− 3 NH₄NO₃ for isolation of the “mobile” fraction, 0.05 mol dm^− 3 ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and 0.43 mol dm^− 3 CH₃COOH for isolation of the “mobilizable” fraction, and 2 mol dm^− 3 HNO₃ for isolation of all releasable forms. On the basis of the results obtained in this study, it is possible to state that different origins and positions of solid environmental samples in the environment reflect in different chemical properties of their matrix. The different properties of the sample matrix result in different mobilities of risk elements in these kinds of samples. The fractionation analysis with single-step extraction for isolation element fractions is the method most suitable for easy checking of environmental pollution and for evaluation of risk elements cycle in the environment.     

Risk Assessment of Organic Pesticides Pollution in Surface Water of Hangzhou

Advances in research on pollution of organic pesticides (OPs) in surface water, pollution survey and risk assessments of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs) of surface water in Hangzhou are conducted. Total concentrations of dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT) and hexachloride-benzene (HCH) in surface water were observed to be 0–0.270 μg/L and 0–0.00625 μg/L respectively. DDE, as a metabolite of DDT and many species of OPP_S were determined in some samples of surface water. Parathion, the main pollutant among OPPs in surface water of Hangzhou, was observed to be 0–0.445 μg/L. Based on these experimental results, health risk assessments on the organic pollution are developed. It is observed that the total risk “R ^T” at present time of surface water in Hangzhou is mainly contributed by organophosphorus pesticides, especially Parathion; HCH and DDT are not the main contaminants; on the contrary, organophosphorous pesticides, especially Parathion, must be of concern at the present time.     

Spatial distribution and concentration of sulfur in relation to vegetation cover and soil properties on a reclaimed sulfur mine site (Southern Poland)

This work aims to assess the spatial distribution and concentration of sulfur in the topsoil layer and to determine the relationships between sulfur concentration, soil pH, soil electrical conductivity, and plant cover at the reforested site of the former sulfur mine (Southern Poland). Soil samples were collected from 0 to 20 cm (topsoil) from a total of 86 sampling points in a regular square grid with sides of 150 m. Plant cover was assayed in circular plots with an area of 100 m², divided into a woody plant layer and herbaceous plant layer. Soil properties such as particle size distribution, pH in KCl and H₂O, soil electrical conductivity (EC), soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (N_T), and total sulfur (S_T) were determined. The degree of soil contamination with sulfur was assessed based on the guidelines of the Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation (IUNG), Poland. The results indicate that remediation and application of lime were not fully effective in spatial variation, because 33 points with sulfur contamination above 500 mg kg^?1 were observed. These spots occurred irregularly in the topsoil horizons. This high sulfur concentration in the soil did not result in severe acidification (below 4.5) in all cases, most likely due to neutralization from the application of high doses of flotation lime. High vegetative cover occurred at some points with high soil sulfur concentrations, with two points having S concentration above 40,000 mg kg^?1 and tree cover about 60%. Numerous points with high soil EC above 1500 μS cm^?1 as well as limited vegetation and high soil sulfur concentrations, however, indicate that the reclamation to forest is still not completely successful.     

Heavy Metal Concentrations in and Around Households Near a Secondary Lead Smelter

Housedusts and garden soils were sampled in 14 houses in the vicinity of a secondary Pb smelter and analysed for concentrations of Pb, Zn, Cu, Cd, As, and Hg. Sixty-one topsoil samples were also taken from a 2 km² grid covering the smelter grounds and surrounding residential areas and analysed for concentrations of Pb, Zn, Cd and Cu. Contour maps generated from the grid data indicate significant contamination in the area (maximum Pb concentration 58 500 g g^-1), particularly down-wind of the smelter grounds. A geometric mean Pb concentration of 2225 g g^-1 was recorded in garden soil and similarly elevated levels were recorded for Zn, Cd, As and Sb. In housedusts, a geometric mean Pb concentration of 1668 g g^-1 was observed. Whilst housedust metal concentrations were generally elevated, compared to other urban or residential areas, there appears to be a large degree of attenuation of the metals between the exterior and interior environments of the homes studied. A significant correlation was not recorded between metal concentrations of garden soils and housedusts. There were significant correlations for: distance from the smelter against garden soil metal concentrations; garden soil metal concentrations against each other; housedust metal concentrations against each other; and house age against garden soil metal concentrations.