The distribution characteristics of heavy metals in Guiyang urban soils

Guiyang is located in southwestern China,which is a famous tourism city,and is awarded the title of"the Summer Capital of China".A study on heavy metals in Guiyang urban soils was conducted.The results showed that the concentrations of Cd,Cu,Ni,Pb and Zn in Guiyang urban soils are significantly higher than their background values and Cu,Zn and Pb in Guiyang soils are accumulated seriously.The distribution characteristics of heavy metals in 3 districts are described as follows:the level of heavy metals in soils follows the order of Nanming District> Yunyan District>Xiaohe District.The spatial distribution of metals in urban soils of Guiyang shows that the level of metals in the central and eastern parts of Guiyang is relatively high,and its characteristics are attributed to the influence of commercial activities,heavy traffic and industrial emission.Compared with some other cities in China,Guiyang is characterized by relatively high accumulation level of Cd,Cu,and Zn in its soils.     

Carcinogenic risk evaluation for human health risk assessment from soils contaminated with heavy metals

Human activities have progressively increased in recent years. Consequently, significant environment deterioration resulted. Soils have a particularly varied vulnerability to heavy metal pollution, especially in the vicinity of industrial areas. Heavy metal contamination of soil may induce risks and hazards to humans and the ecosystem, while toxic metals in soil can severely inhibit the biodegradation of organic contaminants. This paper is focused on human health risk assessment from extremely contaminated soil with heavy metals, mainly with carcinogenic elements. The study refers to an agricultural area in the vicinity of an old metallurgical processing industrial facility. The contaminants evaluated in the present paper are beryllium (Be), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni) and lead (Pb). Contamination level is pointed out through laboratory analysis results of soil samples taken from 0–0.2 m, 0.2–0.4 m soil layers and up to 2.1 m soil depth. Some heavy metal concentrations (Cd, Cr and Pb) exceed the intervention thresholds for sensitive areas, as they are stipulated in the national regulation in Romania. The identified average concentration levels of Cd, Cr^VI and Pb in the first layer of the investigated land are 23.83, 7.71 and 704.22 mg/kg_d.w, respectively. The results show that the potential risk of human health is relevant (higher than the acceptable one after World Health Organization) and a possible solution for the remediation should become a major concern for the investigated area.     

The use of vetiver grass (Vetiveria zizanioides) in the phytoremediation of soils contaminated with heavy metals

Recent research has shown that phytoextraction approaches often require soil amendments, such as the application of EDTA, to increase the bioavailability of heavy metals in soils. However, EDTA and EDTA–heavy metal complexes can be toxic to plants and soil microorganisms and may leach into groundwater, causing further environmental pollution. In the present study, vetiver grass (Vetiveria zizanioides) was studied for its potential use in the phytoremediation of soils contaminated with heavy metals. In the pot experiment, the uptake and transport of Pb by vetiver from Pb-contaminated soils under EDTA application was investigated. The results showed that vetiver had the capacity to tolerate high Pb concentrations in soils. With the application of EDTA, the translocation ratio of Pb from vetiver roots to shoots was significantly increased. On the 14th day after 5.0 mmol EDTA kg⁻¹ of soil application, the shoot Pb concentration reached 42, 160, 243 mg kg⁻¹ DW and the root Pb concentrations were 266, 951, and 2280 mg kg⁻¹ DW in the 500, 2500 and 5000 mg Pb kg⁻¹ soils, respectively. In the short soil leaching column (9.0-cm diameter, 20-cm height) experiment, about 3.7%, 15.6%, 14.3% and 22.2% of the soil Pb, Cu, Zn and Cd were leached from the artificially contaminated soil profile after 5.0 mmol EDTA kg⁻¹ of soil application and nearly 126 mm of rainfall irrigation. In the long soil leaching experiment, soil columns (9.0-cm diameter, 60-cm height) were packed with uncontaminated soils (mimicking the subsoil under contaminated upper layers) and planted with vetiver. Heavy metal leachate from the short column experiment was applied to the surface of the long soil column, the artificial rainwater was percolated, and the final leachate was collected at the bottom of the soil columns. The results showed that soil matrix with planted vetiver, could re-adsorb 98%, 54%, 41%, and 88% of the initially applied Pb, Cu, Zn, and Cd, respectively, which may reduce the risk of heavy metals flowing downwards and entering the groundwater.     

A novel strategy using biodegradable EDDS for the chemically enhanced phytoextraction of soils contaminated with heavy metals

For the sake of cost and potential environmental risk, it is necessary to minimize the amount of chelates used in chemically-enhanced phytoextraction. In the present study, a biodegradable chelating agent, EDDS was added in a hot solution at 90℃ to the soil in which garland chrysanthemum （Chrysanthemum coronarium L.） and beans （Phaseolus vulgaris L., white bean） were growing. The application of hot chelate solutions was much more efficient than the application of normal chelate solutions （25℃） in improving the uptake of heavy metals by plants. When 1 mmol kg1 of EDDS as a hot solution was applied to soil, the concentrations ofCu, Zn and Cd and the total phytoextraction by the shoots of the two plant species exceeded or approximated those in the shoots of plants treated with 5 mmol kg^-1 of normal EDTA solution. The concentrations of metals in the shoots of beans were significantly correlated with the relative electrolyte leakage rate of root cells, indicating that the root damage resulting from the hot solution might play an important role in the process of chelate-enhanced metal uptake. The soil leaching study demonstrated that decreasing the dosage of chelate resulted in decreased concentrations of soluble metals in soils. On the 28th day following the application of chelate, the concentrations of soluble metals in the EDDS treated soil were not significantly different from the concentrations in the control soil to which chelates had not been applied.     

Selective chemical extraction of heavy metals in tailings and soils contaminated by mining activity: Environmental implications

Total concentrations of chemical elements in soils may not be enough to understand the mobility and bioavailability of the elements. It is important to characterise the degree of association of chemical elements in different physical and chemical phases of soil. Another geochemical characterisation methodology is to apply sequential selective chemical extraction techniques. A seven-step sequential extraction procedure was used to investigate the mobility and retention behaviour of Al, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cr, Co, Ni, Mo, Cd, Bi, Sn, W, Ag, As and U in specific physical–chemical and mineral phases in mine tailings and soils in the surroundings of the abandoned Ervedosa mine. The soil geochemical data show anomalies associated with mineralised veins or influenced by mining. Beyond the tailings, the highest recorded concentrations for most elements are in soils situated in mineralised areas or under the influence of tailings. The application of principal components analysis allowed recognition of (a) element associations according to their geochemical behaviour and (b) distinction between samples representing local geochemical background and samples representing contamination. Some metal cations (Mn, Cd, Cu, Zn, Co, Cr, Ni) showed important enrichment in the most mobilisable and bioavailable (i.e., water-soluble and exchangeable) fractions due likely to the acidic conditions in the area. In contrast, oxy-anions such as Mo and As showed lower mobility because of adsorption to Fe oxy-hydroxides. The residual fraction comprised largest proportions of Sn and Al and to a lesser extent Zn, Pb, Ni, Cr, Bi, W, and Ag, which are also present at low concentrations in the bioavailable fractions. The elements in secondary mineral phases (mainly Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, W, Bi, Mo, Cr, Ni, Co, As and U) as well as in organic matter and sulphides are temporarily withheld, suggesting that they may be released to the environment by changes in physico-chemical conditions.     

Stabilities of heavy metals in soils treated with red mud

This paper discussed the stabilities of heavy metals in soils treated with red mud. Soil has been polluted by heavy metals more and more seriously during recent several decades, and they are harmful to mankind and animals. The current tendency is to develop in-situ technique by using industrial processing waste as additives to stabilized heavy metals to minimize the disturbance of contaminated soils. Soil samples were collected from the Niujiaotang mining area, Guizhou Province, southwestern China. They were farmed soils polluted weakly by fly ash （QBT） and polluted badly by waste water （BXT） from smelter, respectively. One of the red mud samples （BRM） was collected from Bayer process and the other （CRM） from confederate process in the Alumina Plant of Guizhou. Free metal ion concentrations were analyzed with Donnan Membrane Technique and predicted with ECOSAT. The concentrations of free heavy metal ions in QBT increased after appending CRM, but decreased when adding BRM. The more the red mud was added, the higher the concentration would be, and the free concentrations of nickel and cadmium ions would vary more greatly than those of copper and zinc ions. When appending red muds into BXT, the free concentrations of copper and zinc ions varied little. While those of free nickel and cadmium decreased obviously at the ratio of 2.00%. The variation of the concentration was still biggish after appending BRM at the ratio of 0.50%, but smaller than that of 2.00%. The concentrations of free cadmium ions increased after adding CRM at the ratio of 0.50%. All experimental processes were modeled through ECOSAT. The predicted and measured results were consistent, except for zinc. Contributions of soil sorbents to the heavy metal adsorptions were also modeled through ECOSAT. The sorbents in soil included soil organic matter, iron hydroxides, clay and the Donnan gel of soil organic matter. Compared to the soils without red muds, no matter what kind of red mud and how much was added in soil, the contributions changed slightly.     

Effect of sheep manure and EDTA on the leaching of potassium from heavy metals contaminated calcareous soils

In this study, we examined the movement of potassium (K) in columns of contaminated calcareous soils by sheep manure and ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA). Glass tubes, 4.9 cm in diameter and 40 cm in length, were packed with contaminated soils. The resulting 20-cm long column of soil had a bulk density of 1.3–1.4 g cm⁻³. Columns were leached with distilled water, 0.01 M EDTA, 0.01 M CaCl₂, and sheep manure extract solutions. The amounts of K leached varied considerably between different soils (sandy loam and loamy sand) and leaching solutions. The amount leached with EDTA solution, varied from 7.2 to 66.7% of the extractable K when 20 pore volumes had passed through the column. The breakthrough curves of K in the EDTA and CaCl₂ were approximately similar, indicating they have similar ability to displace K from these contaminated calcareous soils. Thus, among leaching solutions application of EDTA and CaCl₂ on contaminated soils might enhance the mobility of K and large amounts of K will be leached.     

Characterization of heavy metal contaminated soils in Northern Cyprus

The Lefke region of Northern Cyprus was a site of intense copper mining and smelting activities until the 1970s, which produced large tailings. This study was initiated to characterize the heavy metal contamination of soils of the area and to assess the influence of this site on the surface seawater quality along the coastline. Soil and seawater samples were collected and analysed. Copper and arsenic concentrations exceeded the limits for 'extremely polluted' soils for some samples, which can be classified as 'polluted' by zinc, cadmium and lead. The results showed that seawater was seriously polluted by chromium, nickel and copper in the vicinity of the smelting facility. Copper and iron concentrations increased tenfold after rainfall (wet period), indicating the contribution of tailings to marine pollution. There is an urgent need for remediation treatment for the site.     

Correlation between magnetic susceptibility and distribution of heavy metals in contaminated sea-floor sediments of Hong Kong Harbour

 Magnetic susceptibility measurements were conducted on 24 vibrocores obtained from an area located off the northeastern coast of Lantau Island in Hong Kong. High intensities of magnetic susceptibility were detected in the uppermost sections of the majority of the cores. Several magnetic parameters measured for one of the cores suggest that the variations in the magnetic characteristics over depth are mainly due to varying concentrations of the magnetic minerals. Since a strong correlation has been found between magnetic susceptibility and the heavy metals Pb, Cu, Zn and Cr, an anthropogenic contamination origin is thought to be the cause. The present study shows that magnetic susceptibility is a fast, inexpensive and non-destructive method for the detection and mapping of contaminated sediments. Received: 12 August 1997 · Accepted: 18 November 1997     

云南省武定县土壤重金属地球化学分布特征及其来源浅析

为探明西南地区耕地土壤重金属污染的分布特征及来源,选取云南省武定县优耕区为研究区,在分析1802件表层土壤和4条剖面土壤重金属含量的基础上,运用地累积指数法评估重金属污染风险,利用地统计分析、单因子方差分析、正定矩阵分析探讨重金属的空间分布特征、污染水平及潜在来源。8种重金属与云南省背景值相差较小,其中Cr、Ni平均含量高于云南省背景值,是其背景值的1.75和1.14倍,As、Cu、Hg、Ni、Pb和Zn低于其背景值。8种重金属元素呈现东高西低、南高北低的分布趋势,异常区分布规律明显。地累积指数结果表明,8种重金属中仅Cd存在轻微污染,其余元素均处于无污染水平,与以往认为西南地区是地质高背景区、土壤污染严重有较大出入,需要对西南重金属高背景区的观点进行重新认识和修订。研究区内8种重金属主要有3个污染源:矿业开采源、肥料和交通污染源和成土母质源。其中,As、Cu、Hg主要受迤纳厂铜矿开采的影响; Pb、Cd、Zn受刺竹箐铅锌矿床的开采、交通污染和肥料施用的共同影响; Cr、Ni受成土母质影响较大。     

Spatial distribution and contamination assessment of heavy metals in surface soils of Hassi Messaoud, Algeria

An increase in heavy metal pollution in the soils of Hassi Messaoud (Algeria) due to intense industrialization and urbanization has become a serious environmental problem. There are three large industrial complexes that have been established in the region of Hassi Messaoud for petroleum extraction field and refinery. The region hosts several industrial facilities which are the main sources for hazardous wastes. Surface soil samples from 58 sampling sites (systematically sampled; 1 × 1 km regular grid), including different functional areas in Hassi Messaoud, were collected and analyzed. The results showed that the average concentrations of Cu, Ni, Mn, Pb and Zn in soil of Hassi Messaoud were up to 13.17, 35.78, 121.21, 130.97 and 61.08 mg/kg, respectively. Ni concentrations were comparable to background values, while Cu, Mn, Pb and Zn concentrations were higher than their corresponding background values. Among the functional areas, the industrial regions displayed the highest metal concentrations, while the lowest concentrations occurred in rural soil. Principal component analysis coupled with cluster analysis showed that: (1) Pb and Zn had anthropogenic sources; and (2) Ni, Cu and Mn were associated with parent materials. Contaminations in soils were classified as geoaccumulation index and enrichment factor. Pollution index values of Cu, Ni, Mn, Pb and Zn varied in the range of 0.04–5.41, 0.46–2.49, 0.01–5.73, 0.62–152.9 and 0.09–53.01, with mean values of 1.32, 1.08, 1.26, 5.64 and 3.1, respectively. The integrated pollution index (IPI) of all the analyzed samples varied from 0.42 to 31.59, with a mean of 2.48, and more than 5.45 % of samples are extremely contaminated; 18.18 % are heavily contaminated; 60 % are moderately contaminated; and others are low contaminated. The spatial distribution of IPI showed that desert and rural areas displayed relatively lower heavy metal contamination in comparison with other areas.     

Selenium and heavy metals content in some Mediterranean soils

The study of metal contents in industrial, agricultural or/and polluted soils compared with natural or unpolluted soils is currently necessary to obtain reference values and to assess soil contamination. Nonetheless, very few works published appear in international journals on elements like Se, Li and Sr in Spanish soils. This study determines the total levels of Se, Li, Sr, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, V, Zn, Fe, Mn and Ba in 14 natural (unpolluted) soils (Gypsisols, Leptosols, Arenosols and Acrisols), 14 agricultural soils (Anthrosols, Fluvisols and Luvisols), and 4 industrial–urban affected-surface soil horizons (Anthrosols and Fluvisols) of Eastern Spain. The geochemical baseline concentrations (GBC) and reference values (RV) have been established, and the relationships among elements and also between soil properties and elemental concentrations have been analysed. The RV obtained in this study were (mg kg⁻¹): Se 2.68, Li 115, Sr 298, Cd 0.97, Co 35, Cr 217, Cu 46, Ni 50, Pb 137, V 120, Zn 246, Fe 124,472, Mn 2691, and Ba 743. The RV for Se and Li were used as a preliminary approach to assess soil contamination in Spanish soils. The results confirm human impact on Sr, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn soil concentrations, but evidence no deviation from natural Se, Li, Co, V, Fe, Mn and Ba concentrations. The results obtained from the statistical analysis reveal significant correlations between some elements and clay and soil organic matter (SOM) contents, indicating that metal concentrations are controlled by soil composition. One particularly interesting finding is the high correlation coefficients obtained between SOM and Se, Cd, Cr, V, Fe, and Mn, and between clay and Cd, Zn, V, Fe and Mn. Once again, these facts confirm the role of SOM and clay minerals in soil functions and that soil is an ecosystem element responsible for maintaining environmental quality.     

Spatial distribution of heavy metals in soils: a case study of Changxing,China

Six hundred and sixty-five soil samples were taken from Changxing County in Zhejiang Province, China, to characterize the spatial variability of Hg Cd, Pb, Cu, As and Cr. The geostatistics and geographic information system (GIS) techniques were applied, and the ordinary kriging and lognormal kriging were used to map the spatial patterns of the six heavy metals. Hg, Pb, Cu and As were fitted to the spherical model with a range of 85.75, 82.32, 86.10, and 23.17 km, respectively. Cr was fitted to the exponential model with a range of 6.27 km, and Cd was fitted to the linear model with a range of 37.66 km. Both Pb and Cu had strong spatial dependence due to the effects of natural factors including parent material, topography and soil type. Hg, Cd, Cr and As had, however, moderate spatial dependence, indicating an involvement of human factors. Meanwhile, based on the comparison between the original data and the guide values of the six metals, the disjunctive kriging technique was used to quantify their pollution risks. The results showed that only Cd and Hg exhibited pollution risks in the study area. The pollution source evaluated was closely corresponded with the real discharge of industrial production and the application of organomercury pesticides. The results of this study provide insight into risk assessment of environmental pollution and decision making for agricultural production and industrial adjustment of building materials.     

雄安新区土壤重金属和砷元素空间分布特征及源解析

研究雄安地区土壤重金属和砷元素空间分布特征及其来源,对于支撑新区土地资源和环境管理具有重要意义。基于雄安新区土壤环境调查,运用地统计学方法和ArcGIS 技术分析模拟了土壤中As、Hg、Cd、Cu、Pb、Zn、Ni、Cr等8种元素空间分布特征,综合运用空间分析、多元统计学方法和正定因子矩阵模型解析这些元素的主要来源。结果表明：（1）区内土壤质量总体良好,4.35 %的土壤样品Cd和Cu含量超过农用地土壤污染风险筛选值,但均低于农用地土壤污染风险管控值;与河北省背景值相比,Cd、Cu、Pb、Zn和Hg存在不同程度中度和显著富集。（2）As、Cd、Cu、Pb、Zn、Ni、Cr含量呈现出由北部向南部逐渐增高的趋势,高值区主要分布在新区西南部;Hg元素分布分散,高值区主要分布在城镇及工业企业周边。（3）不同土地利用类型土壤剖面重金属和砷元素垂向分布受pH值、有机碳和铁铝氧化物等理化性质影响显著。（4）研究区土壤重金属和砷元素富集受人类活动影响明显,人为来源贡献率达67.12 %,Hg元素主要来源于人为排放的大气沉降富集,As元素富集受到废渣堆放和利用的影响,Cd、Cu、Pb和Zn元素富集受工业生产、污水灌溉以及尾气排放等活动影响。研究成果可为雄安新区合理制定土地资源开发利用和生态保护措施提供技术支撑。     

江苏省土壤重金属分布特征与污染源初步研究

以24 186个表层土壤(0～20 cm)和6 127个深层土壤(150～200 cm)样品之Cd、Hg、Pb、As等含量数据为基础,研究了江苏全省土壤环境的重金属分布与主要污染特征.结果表明.全省自然土壤环境与人为活动土壤环境的重金属元素分布都不均匀,但人为活动土壤环境中的不均衡程度远高于自然土壤环境:全省农田中有1.02%的土壤受到Cd、Hg、Pb等8种重金属的严重污染,苏州市、无锡市土壤环境被重金属污染的程度相对严重;工业化、城市化进程中的人为活动及自然地质作用都是引起江苏局部土壤重金属污染的重要原因,自然成因的重金属污染土壤多呈面状、多元素、低强度、双层污染等特点,从而与人为成因的重金属污染土壤有所区别.     

Temporal variability of selected heavy metals in automobile soils

Studies on seasonal changes of heavy metal concentration in soils provide vital information for best management options at all times. The study investigated temporal variation in concentration of heavy metals in three towns having automobile service centres in Imo State. The study site is characterized by two major seasons in a year. Heavy metals were found in both arable and automobile soils, but more concentrations were recorded on the latter. Mean values of Cd, Cr, Ni, Hg and Pb were 6.2 mg/kg, 4.7 mg/kg 6.5 mg/kg, 0.02 mg/kg and 71.9 mg/kg respectively in the dry season while 2.9 mg/kg Cd, 2.2 mg/kg Cr, 1.9 mg/kg Ni, 0.01 mg/kg Hg and 51.9 mg/kg Pb were recorded during the rainy season of the experimental period. Higher values of heavy metal concentration were found in automobile soils as follows: 18.1 mg/kg Cd, 12.0mg/kgCr, 16.3 mg/kg Ni, 4.8 mg/kg Hg and312.8 mg/kg Pb in rainy season, and 15.1 mg/kg Cd, 8.1 mg/kg Cr, 11.9 mg/kg Ni 2.7 mg/kg Hg and 267.9 mg/kg Pb. However, Cd showed highest variability in arable soils during the dry season (CV=79%) while Hg varied widely in automobile soils in the rainy season (CV=54%).     

Contamination and distribution of heavy metals in urban and suburban soils in Zhangzhou City,Fujian, China

The urban environment is of growing concern as its continued population increase in China. Due to the urbanization and industrialization, heavy metals have been continuously discharged into the soil recently, and creating the anthropogenic contamination. This study investigated heavy metals contamination in urban and suburban soils in Zhangzhou City, Fujian, China. Multivariate analysis and geographical information system technology were employed in source identification and contamination assessment of heavy metals in the city soils. The survey results indicated that the urban soils were contaminated by heavy metals, especially by Hg, Cd and Pb. The multivariate analysis demonstrated that the distribution of Cu, Zn, Cr and Ni was controlled by pedogenesis, Cd and Pb had been disturbed by industrialization in some urban locations, and Hg was mainly influenced by the hot-spring in some urban park sites. The distribution of heavy metals and soil pollution index suggested the soils of Zhangzhou City have been affected by human activities.     

Chemical associations of heavy metals and metalloids in contaminated soils near former ore treatment plants: a differentiated approach with emphasis on pHstat-leaching

Application of pH_stat-experiments on soil samples of two heavily contaminated sites in northern Belgium (Flanders) was used to make long-term risk predictions of environmentally relevant heavy metals (Pb, Cu, Ni, Zn, Cr) and arsenic. Implementation of the results of other techniques (sequential extractions and mineralogical research) and geochemical modeling with MINTEQA2 was used to obtain a refined understanding of the geochemical association and the processes that control pH-dependent leaching characteristics of the contaminants. The soil on the first site (a former arsenic refinery in Reppel) was extremely polluted with As, Cu (percentage level), Co and Ni (>0.5%) and leaching of contaminants, which is already alarming, will further increase in the near future by soil acidification. The second site was contaminated with so-called burnt pyrite (sulfuric acid industry) containing high concentrations of Pb, Cu, As and Zn (>0.1%) and a serious threat of metal leaching will manifest if no measures are taken. The kinetics of buffering reactions were evaluated by mathematically fitting of the titration curves. Thereby, two independent proton buffer reactions (rapid and slow) were differentiated and quantified. In the paper, some aspects of the pH_stat-procedure were also reconsidered and evaluated. It was shown that one of the critical parameters, namely the duration of the leaching, needs to be extended to 96 h. A 24-h test was observed to be inadequate in assessing heavy metal release properly.     

Ecotoxicological assessment of heavy metals in sewage sludge amended soils

Contamination of soils by potentially toxic elements (PTEs) (e.g. Zn, Cu, Ni, Cr, Pb, Cd) from amendments of sewage sludge is subject to strict controls within the European Community in relation to total permissible metal concentrations, soil properties and intended use. This paper highlights the need for ecotoxicological data for the assessment of PTE impacts in addition to geochemical data alone. The soil microflora plays an essential role in determining levels of soil fertility, being intimately associated with the biogeochemical cycling of essential plant nutrients and the turnover of organic carbon. The measurement of soil microbiological parameters can provide insight into the impact of PTEs upon soil fertility, where geochemical analysis alone can often be inadequate to assess contaminant effects on essential components of the soil ecosystem. Microbial investigations were conducted on soils sampled from a well-controlled field experiment previously amended with specific types and rates of sewage sludge. Key microbiological parameters measured included the activity of the dehydrogenase enzyme and the presence and number of effective nitrogen fixing cells of Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar trifolii capable of nodulating the host plant, white clover (Trifolium repens). Results were evaluated with respect to maximum permissible concentrations of PTEs in sludge amended soils, as stipulated under UK limit values and the European Directive 86/278/EEC. Important effects on the size of the Rhizobium population and dehydrogenase activity were apparent in soils samples in relation to the soil pH, sludge type, addition rates and the concentrations of PTE present.