Correlation of the partitioning of dissolved organic matter fractions with the desorption of Cd,Cu, Ni,Pb and Zn from 18 Dutch soils

Eighteen Dutch soils were extracted in aqueous solutions at varying pH. Extracts were analyzed for Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn by ICP-AES. Extract dissolved organic carbon (DOC) was also concentrated onto a macroreticular resin and fractionation into three operationally defined fractions: hydrophilic acids (Hyd), humic acids (HA) and fulvic acids (FA). In this manner, change in absolute solution concentration and relative percentage for each fraction could be calculated as a function of extraction equilibrium pH. The soils were also analyzed for solid phase total organic carbon and total recoverable metals (EPA Method 3051). Partitioning coefficients were calculated for the metals and organic carbon (OC) based on solid phase concentrations (less the metal or OC removed by the extraction) divided by solution concentrations. Cu and Pb concentrations in solution as a function of extract equilibrium pH are greatest at low and high pH resulting in parabolic desorption/dissolution curves. While processes such as proton competition and proton promoted dissolution can account for high solution metal concentrations at low pH, these processes cannot account for higher Cu and Pb concentrations at high pH. DOC increases with increasing pH, concurrently with the increase in Cu and Pb solution concentrations. While the absolute concentrations of FA and HA generally increase with increasing pH, the relative proportional increase is greatest for HA . Variation in HA concentrations spans three orders of magnitude while FA concentrations vary an order of magnitude over the pH range examined. Correlation analysis strongly suggests that HA plays a major role in increasing the concentration of solution Cu and Pb with increasing pH in the 18 soils studied. The percentage of the OC that was due to FA was nearly constant over a wide pH range although the FA concentration increased with increasing pH and its concentration was greater than that of the HA fraction at lower pH values (pH = 3-5). Thus, in more acidic environments, FA may play a larger role than HA in governing organo-metallic interactions. For Cd, Ni, and Zn, the desorption/dissolution pattern shows high metal solution concentrations at low pH with slight increases in solution concentrations at extremely high pH values (pH>10). The results presented here suggest that the effects of dissolved organic carbon on the mobilization of Cd, Ni, and Zn may only occur in systems governed by very high pH. At high pH, it is difficult to distinguish in this study whether the slightly increased solution-phase concentrations of these cations is due to DOC or hydrolysis reactions. These high pH environments would rarely occur in natural settings.     

Chemical speciation and phytoavailability of Zn, Cu, Ni and Cd in soil amended with fly ash-stabilized sewage sludge

A sequential extraction method was used to determine chemical forms of Cu, Zn, Ni and Cd in fly ash-stabilized sludge. A loamy acid soil amended with fly ash-stabilized sludge was used to grow corn under greenhouse conditions. Sewage sludge amended with coal fly ash can reduce the availability of Cu, Zn, Ni and Cd in the sludge. Increasing fly ash amendment rate significantly reduced DTPA-extractable Cu, Zn, Ni and Cd concentrations. Percentages of Cu, Zn and Ni in residual fraction increased with an increase in fly ash amendment rates. Majority of Cu was associated with organic form, but Zn and Ni were associated with Fe-Mn oxide and residual forms. Addition of ash-amended sludge to soil significantly increased dry mass of corn. With coal fly ash amendment rate increasing, concentrations of Zn and Cu in shoot tissues of corn decreased significantly, but concentrations of Cd and Ni did not change significantly. Significant correlations were found between concentrations of Cu and Zn in corn shoot and oxide and total Cu fractions, and all chemical fractions of Zn in fly ash-stabilized sludge, respectively. Hence, ash amendment significantly reduced the availability of heavy metals by chemical modification of their chemical speciation into less available forms.     

长江三角洲地区海相沉积物母质土壤对Cu的吸附解吸特性

分别以长江三角洲地区海相沉积物母质土壤的表层土和心层土为例,考察了其对重金属Cu的吸附、解吸及固定特性,目的是了解其在不同土壤结构的存在形态和迁移特性。研究表明：不同表层土和心层土的铜吸附容量可用Langmuir,Freundlich和Temkin吸附等温方程拟合,其中以Langmuir方程吻合度最高,回归计算出的最大吸附容量与实验结果基本一致;而其解吸动力学大部分符合指数方式。研究发现,大多数土壤的心层土的最大吸附容量大于表层土,解吸量小于表层土;表层土中对Cu的固定吸附量最大的是滩涂泥,最小的是滩砂泥;心层土中对Cu的固定吸附量最大的是滩潮土,最小的是滩砂泥。不同土壤对Cu的固定吸附量存在差异性,这与土壤自身的pH、OM等多种因素有关, 一般pH值大、OM值高的土壤对Cu的固定吸附量越大.     

南京地区农田土壤和蔬菜重金属污染状况研究

采集了南京市5县4郊5个环境单元（矿冶区、交通干线、工厂周边、污灌地、农产品基地）共100个样点的农田土壤及部分蔬菜样品,测定了重金属（Pb、Cu、Zn、Cd）的质量分数。结果表明,土壤Pb、Cu、Zn、Cd 质量分数的变化范围分别为26.1~4 138.8、16.5 ~3 375.1、46.0~3 587.6、0.09~17.61 mg/kg。不同功能区土壤重金属含量存在明显差异,以矿区周边农田污染最为严重,其次为污灌地和公路沿线农田, 部分农产品基地存在轻度Cd污染,工厂周边农田土壤污染相对较小。19个样点的青菜地上部重金属Pb、Cu、Zn、Cd质量分数的变化范围分别为0.11~7.11、5.04~76.42、36.8~364.3、0.04~2.96 mg/kg,同样以矿区周边污染农田的青菜样本重金属含量最高。青菜重金属含量与土壤重金属生物有效性含量和总量之间呈极显著相关。不合理的矿业开采和冶炼是导致南京地区农田土壤和蔬菜重金属污染的重要原因。     

The Challenges and Solutions for Cadmium-contaminated Rice in China: A Critical Review

The wide occurrence of Cd-contaminated rice in southern China poses significant public health risk and deserves immediate action, which arises primarily from extensive metal (including Cd) contamination of paddies with the fast expansion of nonferrous metal mining and smelting activities. Accumulation of Cd in rice grains can be reduced by removing Cd from the contaminated paddy soils, reducing its bioavailability, and controlling its uptake by rice plants. Although a range of measures can be taken to rehabilitate Cd-contaminated lands, including soil replacement and turnover, chemical washing, and phytoremediation, they are either too expensive and/or too slow. Various amendment materials, including lime, animal manures, and biochar, can be used to immobilize Cd in soils, but such fixation approach can only temporarily reduce Cd availability to rice uptake. Cultivation of alternative crops with low Cd accumulation in edible plant parts is impractical on large scales due to extensive contamination and food security concerns in southern China. Transgenic techniques can help develop rice cultivars with low Cd accumulation in grains, but little public acceptance is expected for such products. As an alternative, selection and development of low-Cd rice varieties and hybrids through plant biotechnology and breeding, particularly, by integration of marker-assisted selection (MAS) with traditional breeding, could be a practical and acceptable option that would allow continued rice production in soils with high bioavailability of Cd. Plant biotechnology and breeding can also help develop Cd-hyperaccumulating rice varieties, which can greatly facilitate phytoremediation of contaminated paddies. To eliminate the long-term risk of Cd entering the food chain, soils contaminated by Cd should be cleaned up when cost-effective remediation measures are available.     

Effects of forms and rates of potassium fertilizers on cadmium uptake by two cultivars of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum, L.)

A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted to study the influence of potassium fertilizers in different forms and rates on cadmium (Cd) uptake by two cultivars of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum, L.): Brookton and Krichauff. Potassium fertilizers were added to soil at four levels: 0, 55, 110 and 166 mg K kg(-1) soil as KNO(3) (N), KCl (C) or K(2)SO(4) (S). CdCl(2) was added to all the treatments at a uniform rate equivalent to 15 mg Cd kg(-1) soil. Plant shoot and root dry weights (DW) of both cultivars were reduced significantly by the addition of K-fertilizer in C and S treatments but there were only marginal changes in the N treatments. The Cd concentrations in shoots and whole plants increased significantly (P<.001) with increasing K addition, from 37.5 to 81.4 mg kg(-1) and from 42.9 to 86.8 mg kg(-1) for Brookton and Krichauff, respectively. However, no obvious effect was observed in the N treatments, except for the highest K level (K3) where there was a sharp increase in Cd concentration compared to the lower additions. Forms of K-fertilizers significantly influenced the Cd concentrations in plant shoots and roots (P<.001), but there was no significant difference between C and S treatments. This experiment showed that anions Cl(-) and SO(4)(2-) increase Cd uptake by plants, which can be interpreted as Cl(-) and SO(4)(2-) complexing readily with Cd(2+) and thereby increasing the bioavailability of Cd(2+) in soils. The effect of potassium itself on plant uptake of Cd was also observed. We suggest that when applying potassium fertilizer to Cd-contaminated soils, the forms and rates should be considered.     

Evaluation of heavy metal acute toxicity and bioaccumulation in soil ciliated protozoa

Laboratory toxicity tests, using ciliated protozoa, are scarce and they have been carried out usually with freshwater species. In this study, we have analysed the acute cytotoxicity of Cd, Zn and Cu in five different strains of very common soil ciliate species (Colpoda steinii, Colpoda inflata and Cyrtolophosis elongata), which were isolated from very different soil samples (polluted or not with heavy metals). Soil ciliates are quite resistant to heavy metals pollution with regard to ciliates from other habitats. The toxicity sequence was Cd>Cu>Zn. Results from Cd+Zn mixtures indicated that Cd cytotoxicity decreases in the presence of low or moderate Zn concentrations. A broad heavy metal resistance level diversity exists among isolates of colpodid ciliates and it is seen to be a genetic feature rather than a habitat dependence. Bioaccumulation is seen to be the main mechanism involved in the metal resistance, except for Cu. For the first time in ciliates, a fluorescent method has been applied to detect Zn intracellular deposits. This methodology might be an useful tool for monitoring heavy metal pollution in soils.     

Toxicities and tolerances of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn in a primary producer (Isochrysis galbana) and in a primary consumer (Perna viridis)

Studies on toxicities and tolerances of cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) in the brown alga Isochrysis galbana and in the green-lipped mussel Perna viridis were conducted by short-term bioassays using endpoints growth production and mortality, respectively. The 5-day EC(50) and 24-h LC(50) of these heavy metals were determined in the brown alga and mussel, respectively. The EC(50) values calculated for the alga were 0.74 mg/l for Cd, 0.91 mg/l for Cu, 1.40 mg/l for Pb and 0.60 mg/l for Zn. The LC(50) values for the mussels were 1.53 mg/l for Cd, 0.25 mg/l for Cu, 4.12 mg/l for Pb and 3.20 mg/l for Zn. These LC(50) values were within the concentration ranges as reported by other authors who used P. viridis as the test organism. Based on these EC(50) and LC(50) values, the alga was most sensitive to Zn, followed by Cd, Cu and Pb while the mussel was most sensitive to Cu, followed by Cd, Zn and Pb. Differences in the trophic levels, metal handling strategies, biology and ecology of the primary producer (brown alga) and the primary consumer (mussel) are believed to be the plausible causes for the different toxicities and tolerances of the metals studied.     

Impacts of sewage irrigation on heavy metal distribution and contamination in Beijing, China

A potential hazard to Beijing was revealed due to the accumulation trend of heavy metals in agricultural soils with sewage irrigation, which results in metal contamination and human exposure risk. Samples including soils and plants were collected to assess the impacts of sewage irrigation on the irrigated farming area of Beijing. Concentrations of the five elements Cd, Cr, Cu, Zn, and Pb were determined in samples to calculate the accumulation factor and to establish a basis for environmental protection and the suitability of sewage irrigation for particular land use in the urban-rural interaction area of Beijing. Using reference values provided by the Beijing Background Research Cooperative Group in the 1970s, the pollution load index (PLI), enrichment factor (EF), and contamination factor (CF) of these metals were calculated. The pollution load indices (sewage irrigation land 3.49) of soils indicated that metal contamination occurred in these sites. The metal enrichment (EF of Cd 1.8, Cr 1.7, Cu 2.3, Zn 2.0, Pb 1.9) and the metal contamination (CF of Cd 2.6, Cr 1.5, Cu 2.0, Zn 1.7, Pb 1.6) showed that the accumulation trend of the five toxic metals increased during the sewage irrigation as compared with the lower reference values than other region in China and world average, and that pollution with Cd, Cu, Zn, and Pb was exacerbated in soils. The distributions of these metals were homogeneous in the irrigation area, but small-scale heterogeneous spatial distribution was observed. Irrigation sources were found to affect heavy metal distributions in soils. It was suggested that heavy metal transfer from soils to plants was a key pathway to human health exposure to metal contamination. However, with the expansion of urban areas in Beijing, soil inhalation and ingestion may become important pathways of human exposure to metal contamination.     

Effect of several organic acids on phosphate adsorption by variable charge soils of central China

The effect of several organic acids on phosphate adsorption by acidic soils in subtropical zone of central China was studied. Results showed: (1) citrate and oxalate remarkably reduced the amount of phosphate adsorption, but tartrate, benzoate and acetate had only a very slight influence on phosphate adsorption; (2) the ability of citrate in reducing phosphate adsorption was greater than that of oxalate, moreover, the reduction percentage was dependent on the concentration of organic ligands in the solution; (3) the effect of organic acids on phosphate adsorption was related to the pH value of organic acid solution. The minimum reduction in adsorption of phosphate was present at a specific pH value of organic acid solution which ranged from 2 to 10; (4) a minimum reduction of phosphate adsorption occurred when phosphate was added to the soils before organic acid, whereas a maximum occurred when organic acid was introduced before the addition of phosphate. Meanwhile, the treatment for the mixture of two organic acids resulted in more reduction in phosphate adsorption than each of the organic acids and less than the total of them. Based on these observations, we suggested that the competition between phosphate and organic acids relied on their relatively affinity to soil mineral surface at different conditions.     

上海市崇明岛公路两侧土壤重金属污染研究

采集了上海市崇明岛陈海、北沿公路两侧土壤和灰尘样品270余个,测定了样品的Pb、Cd、Cu、 Zn和Cr重金属含量。结果表明,陈海和北沿公路两侧土壤重金属Pb、Cd、Cu、 Zn和Cr的平均含量达到277、0279、258、918和776 mg/kg,土壤Cd污染较严重。采集的路面灰尘样品Pb、Cd、Cu、 Zn和Cr的平均含量达到512、049、489、209和970 mg/kg,超过土壤背景值2~4倍,是土壤重金属的主要二次污染源。公路防护林体系较差的北沿公路路侧土壤纵向剖面（垂直于公路走向）重金属含量随距路肩距离增加呈指数下降,土壤重金属重污染区在距路肩15 m范围内。防护林体系较完善的陈海公路距路肩15 m范围内土壤重金属污染较小,土壤重金属重污染区出现在距路肩20~50 m范围内。     

武汉市重工业区周缘环境中镉的分布及其危害性

采用原子吸收法分析了武汉市重工业基地武钢周边的土壤、街道尘埃及蔬菜等主要环境介质中镉的含量,对环境介质体系中镉的地球化学特征进行了研究。结果表明：研究区大部分土壤镉含量超标,且高出其母质长江冲积土中镉含量的5倍;处于工业区下风方向的土壤镉含量最高,达到284 mg/kg,显著高于其他方向土壤中的含量;街道尘埃中的镉含量均值达764 mg/kg,高于国内外许多发达名城;土壤和街道尘埃中镉均以地球化学活性态为主,具有显著的潜在生态危害性;环境介质中的镉对不同类型蔬菜的影响程度不同：小白菜>茄子>豇豆,但是,除了小白菜个别样点超标以外,大部分均未超标。然而,小白菜可食部分镉含量与土壤弱酸提取态的镉含量呈现显著的相关性。〖     

Growth, yield and elements content of wheat (Triticum aestivum) grown in composted municipal solid wastes amended soil

A commercial formulation of composted municipal solid wastes (MSW) was used for amending soil at 0, 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 kg ha⁻¹ in which wheat had been grown (field experiments) and element residues of amended soil and plant parts were enumerated. MSW amendment caused a significant improvement in soil quality. Growth (shoot length, leaf number, leaf area, tiller number, plant dry weight and chlorophyll contents of leaves) and yield (length of panicle, number of panicles per plant and grain yield per plant) of wheat increased gradually up to the MSW-amendment level of 200 kg ha⁻¹. Elements, Ni, Zn, Cu, Cd, Cr, and Pb accumulated in plants from MSW amended soil, but the degree of metal accumulation was the least in seeds in comparison to other plant parts (root, stem and leaf). Moreover, Ni, Zn, Cd and Pb, were in high concentration in all plant parts. It is recorded that the level of 200 kg ha⁻¹ MSW amendment caused better growth and yield of wheat, but progressive levels of metal accumulation in plant parts were recorded due to increase in amendment levels. Readers should send their comments on this paper to: BhaskarNath@aol.com within 3 months of publication of this issue.     

有色冶金区土壤-蔬菜系统重金属污染特征及健康风险分析

采用对应采样方法研究大冶有色冶炼厂周围地区土壤、蔬菜中Cd、Cu、Pb和As的含量,并对蔬菜重金属污染状况、富集能力及健康风险进行了分析。结果表明,研究区土壤重金属污染严重,Cd、Cu、Pb和As平均含量分别达5.28、193.37、93.83和36.56 mg/kg,分别为湖北省对应元素土壤背景值的31.06、6.30、3.51和2.97倍,表现为以Cd为主的多种重金属共同污染。与《食品中污染物限量》(GB2762-2012)标准比较,蔬菜中Cd和Cu含量的样本超标率分别为68%和6%,而As、Pb的含量均不超标。蔬菜中重金属富集能力的排序为:CdCuAsPb,叶菜类蔬菜对Cd、Cu、Pb和As的富集系数均高于非叶菜类蔬菜。土壤和蔬菜重金属综合质量指数达10.07,为重度污染。研究区人群通过蔬菜摄入As、Cd的目标危险系数均大于1,存在As、Cd暴露的健康风险;成人和儿童食用蔬菜而摄入重金属的TTHQ分别为2.11~5.06和2.78~6.64,儿童比成人遭受的健康风险更大,并且距离冶炼厂越近,所遭受的健康风险越大。蔬菜中重金属的复合污染已使大冶有色冶炼厂周围居民面临潜在的健康风险。     

Assessment of arsenic and heavy metal concentrations in water and sediments of the Rio Grande at El Paso-Juarez metroplex region

The Rio Grande located along the US-Mexico border is affected by anthropogenic activities along its geographical course. Runoff and wind deposition of smelting residues may contribute to the pollution of the Rio Grande in the El Paso-Ciudad Juarez area. Few studies have addressed the presence or impacts of heavy metals or arsenic in this ecosystem. This study reports a survey of heavy metals (Cr, Cu, Cd, Ni, Pb, and Zn) and arsenic (As) in water and sediments of the Rio Grande collected from seven sites in the El Paso-Juarez region. Since water quality influences metal content in water, physical (temperature, flow and conductivity), and chemical (pH, dissolved oxygen, nitrates, alkalinity, and water hardness) parameters were measured at each site. Arsenic and heavy metal levels were determined using Inductively Couple Plasma (ICP) emission spectroscopy following EPA procedures. Zinc and lead were found as both total and dissolved metals in most of the samples, with concentrations of total recoverable metals reaching up to 105 and 70 microg/l, respectively. Most metals were found in sediment samples collected from four of seven sites. The highest Cu concentration (35 mg/l) was found at the American Dam site. Concentrations of metals found through this survey will be used as a reference for future studies in monitoring arsenic, heavy metals, and their impacts in the Rio Grande.     

Preliminary exploration of the relationships between soil characteristics and PAH desorption and biodegradation

Desorption and biodegradation of pyrene (PYR) were investigated and their relationships to soil characteristics were addressed. The results indicated that maximum achievable desorption was 30.2, 10.4, and 1.0 mg/kg for soils that had 1.7, 2.2, and 4.4 wt.% of expandable clays (smectite and vermiculite), respectively. Neither dissolved organic matter (DOM) nor total clay amounts made a good prediction of the desorption trend. Subsequently, the ease of desorption facilitated a faster aqueous biodegradation rate. The slowest aqueous biodegradation rate, 0.02 l/h, was achieved for the soil system that had the greatest amount of expandable clays, whereas the soil containing 1.7% expandable clays only achieved 0.73 l/h. The soil with 2.2% expandable clays depicted 0.41 l/h of aqueous biodegradation rate. A good linear correlation was obtained between maximum achievable desorption and aqueous biodegradation rate (R(2)=0.92). Soil analysis revealed that the total (soil+water) biodegradation reached was 65%, 78.3%, and 81.8% of the initial concentration (100 mg/kg) for the sandy clay loam (Colombian), sandy loam (Ohio), and silty loam (New Mexico) soils, respectively. This biodegradation extent was also in good agreement of expandable clay amount. Although aqueous PYR bioavailability was limited due to the strong association with the expandable clays, microbial movement and adhesion to those clays seemed to result in a great extent of the soil-phase biodegradation.     

Transfer of metals from soil to vegetables in an area near a smelter in Nanning, China

A field survey was conducted to investigate the metal contamination in soils and vegetables, and to evaluate the possible health risks to local population through foodchain transfer near a smelter in Nanning, southern China. Contamination levels in soils and vegetables with cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) were measured, and transfer factors (TF) from soils to vegetable plants and its health risk (risk index, RI) were calculated accordingly. Results showed that both soils and vegetables from villages 1 and 2 (V1 and V2, 1500 m and 500 m from the smelter) were heavily contaminated, compared to a village 50 km from the smelter. Geometric mean of Cd and Pb concentrations in vegetables for V1 and V2, respectively, were 0.15 and 0.24 mg Cd kg(-1) and 0.45 and 0.38 mg Pb kg(-1) (on fresh weight basis). Oral intake of Cd and Pb through vegetables poses high health risk to local residents. Risk indices for V1 and V2, respectively, were 3.87 and 7.42 for Cd, and 1.44 and 13.5 for Pb. The complexity of metal contamination and their health risks are also discussed.     

三峡库区中低产土壤重金属含量及其与小麦吸收的关系

三峡库区中低产土壤的Hg,As,Cr,Pb,Cu五个重金属含量（除渝北区外），均在国家土壤环境质量标准内，属自然背景值一级标准。Cd和Zn高于全国土壤中的平均含量和背景值含量，属二级标准。土壤的重金属含量与土壤母质类型，pH值，阳离子交换量，有机质，无定形铁和物理性粘粒有关，同时存在一定的地域分布。重庆近郊的土壤所有重金属含量相对较高。土壤重金属的可给态或有效性含量极低，锌和铜不是过量，而是不足。小麦籽粒中As,Cr,Pb,Zn,Cu含量低于国家食品对重金属限量标准和小麦籽粒背景值标准，Hg,Cd含量高于国家规定标准。籽粒中的Cu,Zn含量是小麦茎叶中的2.0-2.2倍，而茎叶中的Hg,Pb,As,Cr,Cd含量明显高于籽粒。     

经济发达县域耕地土壤重金属污染评价及其影响因素分析——以江苏省昆山市为例

通过对昆山市14个区镇91个土壤样品中As、Cd、Cr、Cu、Pb、Ni、Hg、Zn 8种重金属测定分析,对该市耕地土壤重金属污染进行评价并进行重金属污染的影响因素分析.结果表明,昆山市耕地土壤存在不同程度的轻微污染,重金属Cd、Cr、Cu、Pb、Hg、Zn均超过国家土壤背景值,旱地、水田中均以Hg污染范围较广、变异系数较大.综合污染指数表现为水田(1.15)＞旱地(1.00).区镇耕地重金属污染评价表明千灯、陆扬、石浦、锦溪、石牌处于警戒值之内,蓬朗、周庄、张浦、正仪、周市、巴城、淀山湖、花桥、陆家轻度污染;昆山市耕地土壤中重金属元素均未超过土壤环境基本容量,能够保证作物品质和农业持续发展.同时,研究表明区域重金属轻微污染具有复合污染的特性,Cd、Pb相关性最高(P=0.621 0), Pb与Hg、Cu、Zn、Cu与Cr也有相关性(0.438 7、0.426 0、0.350 9、0.394 0),区域重金属的轻微污染受人为因素影响显著,研究指出应加强对区域优先控制污染物Hg、次优先控制污染物Pb、Cd、Zn、Cu、Cr的控制与治理.     

Levels of metals in soils of Alcalá de Henares,Spain: human health risks

The concentrations of aluminium (Al), arsenic (As), beryllium (Be), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), mercury (Hg), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), tin (Sn), thallium (Tl), vanadium (V), and zinc (Zn) were determined in soil samples collected in Alcalá de Henares (Madrid, Spain). Human health risks derived from metal inhalation and ingestion of soils were also assessed. For noncarcinogenic risks, the current levels of metals were usually lower than those considered as safe for the general population. With respect to the potentially carcinogenic elements As, Be, Cd, and Cr, the concentrations of Be, Cd, and Cr were lower than the reference values, while the average As concentration (3.4 microg/g) was higher than the safety limit for risk cancer. In general terms, the potential human health impact of ingestion/inhalation through soils of the analyzed elements seems to be rather small.