Impacts of wastewater irrigation on soils and crops in suburban area of Shiraz, Iran

This preliminary work reported here dealt with potential impacts of wastewater irrigation on soils and crops sampled along the Koshk River canal in the suburban area of Shiraz City, Iran. It also attempts to assess the extent of heavy metal contamination in soils and crops and human exposure risk. For this purpose, samples including soils and plants were collected from two wastewater irrigated sites and a tubewell-irrigated site （marked by A, B and C）. Concentrations of the six heavy metals Ni, Pb, Cd, Zn, Cr and Cu were determined by AAS. Physical and chemical properties of soil samples were also determined. The PLIs and CF for soils and HQ （Hazard quotient） for some vegetables were calculated. The results showed that organic matter content increased from 22% to 30 % in wastewater-irrigated soils as compared to tubewell water irrigated and admixture water irrigated ones. The soil pH was raised by 2 units as a result of wastewater irrigation at site A compared to sites B and C. Wastewater irrigation also result in relatively high concentrations of Ni, Pb and Zn （275.5, 441.3 and 177 mg/kg, respectively） in wastewater irrigated soils over tubewell water irrigated soils. These levels are higher than the maximum permissible limits in unpolluted soils, indicating that a degree of contamination has occurred. This was confirmed by calculated PLIs and contamination factors in soil samples, The results also showed some crops cultivated at sites A and B contained high levels of Ni and Cd beyond the maximum permissible concentrations and those cultivated at site C. The concentrations of these heavy metals are within or very close to the critical levels. HQ indices and daily intake calculated in respect of metal contents in some vegetables （spinach, lettuce and celery） showed that toxic risk due to Cd in these vegetables and crops was greater than one. This study generally concludes that although the content of heavy metals did not reach toxic level, extensive use of untreated wastewater drawn from the Koshk River has obviously increased the contamination of Ni and Pb in soils and Cd in some vegetables cultivated along the canal, causing potential health risk in the long-term scense for consumers or local residents.     

Health risk assessment of lead pollution in inner-city environment in Shenyang, China

Assessing the health risk of lead pollution in inner-city environment is imperative in order to protect children from lead toxicity and to target urban environment abatement efforts. To identify the concentrations of lead, air, soil and dust samples were …     

Lead in food and soil from a mining area in Brazil and human exposure

During the last century, several lead mines and a metal smelter were in production in the Upper Ribeira Valley, southeastern Brazil. After fifty years of activity, the refinery was shut down in November 1995 and, thereafter the last mines in production were closed. Since 1998, a multidisciplinary research group has carried out an ambitious investigation among the population of five municipalities in the Ribeira Valley （sampled population of 472 children and 523 adults） to assess the human exposure to lead. The highest blood lead levels were found among the population of two villages in the vicinity of the smelter where soil and indoor-dust are highly contaminated. During the present study, the lead contents of several food species that are part of local population diet were investigated. Greens, vegetables, corn, chicken eggs and cow milk, were sampled in two occasions, July 2004 and February 2005. The analytical procedures included burning of organic matter, pre-concentration of lead and, finally, determination by AAS using background correction. The quantification limit was 0.05 μg/g Pb. Soil samples were also collected and analyzed by X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy with a quantification limit of 2 μg/g Pb. The results are very impressing since 100% of greens, vegetables and eggs yielded lead concentrations exceeding the upper limits established by Brazilian regulations whereas milk and maize samples presented lead contents below the regulated limit of 0.05 μg/g Pb. Lead concentrations in soil varied between 156 and 1292 μg/g Pb, resembling the results of previous studies and far exceeding the threshold of 200 μg/g Pb indicated as the intervention value. Lead contents in some species vary consistently with lead concentrations in soils, however, other factors may account for the bioavailability of lead and its intake by plants, like the soil pH, its cationic exchange capacity, clay and organic matter contents, characteristics of the plant species itself, climate, among others.     

Environmental impacts of the abandoned mercury mine in Podljubelj, Slovenia

The Podljubelj mercury mine lies in the NW part of Slovenia. The ore is of hydrothermal-vein type. The ore deposit was exploited between the years 1557 and 1902. Total production of the mine was 110000 tons of ore （360 tons of Hg）. A smelter located close to the mine had been in operation since 1855. The waste material from the mine and the smelter was dumped in close vicinity of the mine. Total quantity of the waste has been estimated at 170000 tons. In order to establish environmental impacts, soil and stream sediment samples were investigated. Soil samples were collected at two different depths （horizons A and B） in a 100 m grid within an 88 ha area. In the vast area also 11 samples of stream sediments were considered. Heavy metals were determined by means of cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry CV-AAS after aqua regia digestion. Based on the chemical analyses of samples, the estimated mercury mean for soils is 3.67 mg/kg （0.35-244 mg/kg） for horizon A and 1.39 mg/kg （0.17-71.7 mg/kg） for horizon B. The estimated mercury mean for stream sediments is 0.64 mg/kg （0.065-1.36 mg/kg）. The concentrations of mercury in soils generally decrease with depth and distance from the mine. The highest content of Hg was determined in a sample taken in the immediate vicinity of the smelter （719 mg/kg）. The results have shown that on the 9 ha of the study area, the contents of Hg in soils exceeded the officially set limit value for soils （10 mg/kg）. High contents of Hg in soil around the abandoned smelter are a consequence of former atmospheric emissions and technological losses. High contents of Hg were also found in the mine and smelter waste dump. At the edges of the study area and in the samples of stream sediments, Hg concentrations are low.     

Heavy metal concentrations in soils and plants in the vicinity of Arufu lead-zinc mine,Middle Benue Trough,Nigeria

This study focused on the influence of base metal mining on heavy metal levels in soils and plants in the vicinity of Arufu lead-zinc mine, Nigeria. Soil samples (0-15 cm depth) and plant samples were collected from cul-tivated farmlands in and around the mine, the unmineralized site and a nearby forest (the control site). The samples were analyzed for heavy metals (Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, Pb, Cr and Cd) by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). The physical properties of soils (pH and LOI) were also measured. Results showed that soils from cultivated farm-lands have neutral pH values (6.5-7.5), and low organic matter contents (10%). Levels of Zn, Pb and Cd in culti-vated soils were higher than the concentrations obtained from the control site. These heavy metals are most probably sourced from mining and agricultural activities in the study area. Heavy metal concentrations measured in plant parts decreased in the order of rice leavescassava tuberspeelings. In the same plant species, metal levels decreased in the order of ZnFeMnCuPbCrCd. Most heavy metals were found in plant parts at average concentrations normally observed in plants grown in uncontaminated soil, however, elevated concentrations of Pb and Cd were found in a few cassava samples close to the mine dump. A stepwise linear regression analysis identified soil metal contents, pH and LOI as some of the factors influencing soil-plant metal uptake.     

A comparison of measured 137Cs and excess 210Pb levels in the cultivated brown and cinnamon soils of the Yimeng Mountain area

This contribution analyzes the similarities and differences between the measured activities of 137Cs and excess 210pb （210Pbex） in the cultivated brown and cinnamon soils of the Yimeng Mountain area, discusses the influ- ence of soil texture on the measurement of 210Pbex, and presents differences between the two types of soils. Fields A and B were selected to represent the fields that contain cultivated brown and cinnamon soils, respectively. From either study field, one site of sectioned core and six bulk cores were collected to measure 137Cs levels, 210Pbex levels, and the particle-size composition of soil samples. Three undisturbed soil samples were collected to measure capillary and aeration porosities. The 137Cs inventories for the two study fields are very similar. The 137Cs is a man-made ra- dionuclide, which means that its measured levels for soils are unaffected by soil texture. In contrast, levels of the naturally occurring 210Pbex of soils from Field A were lower than those of Field B by about 50%. In contrast to aquatic sediments, levels of 210Pbex in terrestrial surface soils are affected by the emanation of 222Rn from the soils. It can be assumed that the coarser the soils, the greater the emanation of 222Rn; in addition, the lower the measured 210pbex, the greater the underestimate of this value. The cultivated brown soils in Field A are coarser than the culti- vated cinnamon soils in Field B. As a result, 222Rn in Field A will diffuse more easily into the atmosphere than that in Field B. As a consequence, the measured 210pbex in soils from Field A is much lower than the actual value, whereas the value measured for Field B is much closer to the actual value.     

Effects and mechanism of igneous rock on selenium in the tropical soil-rice system in Hainan Province,South China

To illuminate the migration and transformation of selenium(Se)in the igneous rock-soil-rice system,285 pairs of rhizosphere soil and rice samples were collected from the granitoid and basalt areas in Hainan Province,South China.The contents of Se in soils derived from granitoid and basalt are,respectively,0.19±0.12 mg/kg and 0.34±0.39 mg/kg,which are much higher than Se contents in granitoid and basalt.Selenium shows remarkable enrichment from granitoid and basalt to soils.The mobile fraction of Se in soils derived from granitoid is 0.0100±0.0034 mg/kg,which is significantly higher than that of basalt(0.0058±0.0039 mg/kg).Although soil derived from basalt shows higher Se contents,Se contents in rice samples,mobile fractions of Se in soils,and biological concentration factor(BCF)is similar or even lower than that from granitoid.Basalt consist of calcic plagioclase and pyroxene,and are much richer in Fe,Al,and Ca than granitoid.Correspondingly,the basalt-derived soils have higher goethite,hematite,kaolinite,cation exchange capacity(CEC)content,and higher p H than the granitoid-derived soils,which result in higher adsorption capacity for Se and relatively lower Se bioavailability.Soils derived from granitoid and basalt in tropical regions are beneficial to produce Se-rich rice.     

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.     

Determination of PCB-contaminated sites in Belarus： A case study

PCBs belong to POPs of priority concern in Belarus due to the large amount of PCBs, long period of PCB and PCB-containing equipment usage and possibilities of PCBs dissemination in the environment. From the point of health risk assessment the revealing of PCBs contaminated sites is very important. The greatest amounts of PCBs in Belarus are used in electrical equipment; therefore experimental work was conducted on the territories where PCB-containing electrical equipment is installed or stored. About 20 sub-stations with capacitors and 2 places with transformers were investigated. More than 200 soil and bottom sediments were collected and analyzed. 6 individual PCBs congeners （PCB-28, PCB-52, PCB-138, PCB-153, PCB-180 and PCB-203） were detected by gas chromatography and chromatography mass spectrometry. PCBs contents in the soils of the territories, where electrical equipment is used and stored, come up to milligrams or sometime grams per kilogram. Maximum concentrations of PCBs （2-21 g/kg） were tracked in the soil near destroyed capacitors and transformers as a consequence of PCB leakage. The highest concentrations of PCBs are found in topsoil layer. In some cases high PCB concentrations are fixed at the depth of 50 cm. In several cases PCB leakage can be easily noticed due to dark color. Low chlorinated PCBs prevail in the soils of the places where capacitors are installed or stored, and high chlorinated PCBs are noticed where transformers are stored. As a rule, contaminated areas are rather local （typical spot is less than a square meter）. Nevertheless, they are potentially sources of secondary ground and surface water, as well as bottom sediments pollution. Moreover, spreading of PCBs beyond the places of PCB-containing equipment usage or storage occurs： the sum of 6 PCBs at the distance of 100-150 m from capacitor battery comes up to 0.35-4.6 mg/kg in the soil. Soils at practically all investigated sub-stations are polluted with PCBs. In most cases high concentrations of PCBs are revealed. On the whole, spatial structure of PCB contamination soil is extremely heterogeneous.     

Selection of better extractants to indicate Pb bioavailability in lead-contaminated agricultural soils of Zhejiang Province

The accumulation of Pb in the food chain is one of the great concerns as it can cause chronic health problems and the available Pb is easily absorbed by crops. To shed light on Pb bioavailability in lead-contaminated agricultural soils of Zhejiang Province, a series of plant growth experiments were performed in a greenhouse to select more suitable extractants from five commonly used extractants (0.1 M HCl, 1 M NH4OAc, 0.1 M CaCl2, DTPA-TEA and Mehlich 3). The results showed that 1 M NH4OAc can extract Pb best, indicating the Pb bioavailability, then, DTPA-TEA and 0.1 M HCl in the tested soils. In case 1 M NH4OAc was used as an extractant, the critical Pb concentrations in soils were 50.19 mg/kg, 21.16 mg/kg and 114.00 mg/kg (1 M NH4OAc extracted Pb) in silty loam, yellowish-red soil and purplish soil, respectively. When the values exceed the above ones, the contents of Pb in Chinese cabbage leaves will exceed the Chinese Tolerance Limit of Lead in Foods (GB14935-94), as a result, potential ecological risk and hazard to human health via the food chain will appear.     

Heavy metal contents in soil of major towns in the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia

A total of 63 soil samples from 3 different soil profiles （urban, suburban and industrial areas） in major towns in the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia were analyzed for the total concentrations of Cu, Zn, Pb, Ni and Cr. The soil samples were subjected to acid digestion and the concentrations of total metals extracted were measured or flame atomic absorption spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma - atomic emission spectrometry. According to the result of this study, Pb and Zn concentrations in urban soils are much higher than those of industrial and suburban soils. Total concentrations of Cu and Cr in industrial soil samples are high compared to other two soil profiles and Ni concentrations in the suburban area are slightly higher those of urban and industrial soils. Since Malaysia has not yet to come up with her own soil maximum allowable limit, the heavy metal concentrations were compared with the Dutch maximum allowable limit. The results indicated that the median of heavy metals values in the three different soil profiles is still below the Dutch system limit. From the maximum allowable value obtained from the Dutch system, a contamination/pollution （C/p） index for each site was calculated for the set of these five heavy metals. An advantage of using this method is to make a differentiation between pollution （C/p〉1） and contamination （C/p〈1） status in soils as well as being able to characterize each status into 5 different categories （slight, moderate, severe, very severe and excessive）.     

Characteristics of Bacillus cereus Spore Counts in Soils with Underlying Gold Mineralization in Northwestern Sichuan, China. Results from a Pilot Study

A pilot survey on a microbial mineral exploration method based on soil Bacillus cereus spore counts was carried out across three different gold mining regions, which vary in soil type, climate condition and geological setting in northwestern Sichuan, China. B-horizon soils from these sites were analyzed for B. cereus spores, Au, Ag, Cu, Pb and Zn. The results show that the nmnbers of B. cereus spores generally increased in soils overlying gold mineralization. Specifically, elevated spore counts were found in samples slightly offset from the outcrops of orebodies, whereas soils directly above the outcrops of orebodies usually contained low spore counts. However, the background counts of B. cereus spores varied from place to place and were complicated by environmental and pedological factors, but the rela-tive ratios of spore counts still were indicative of the underlying gold mineralization.     

Assessment of heavy metals contamination in soils of Dexing region, Jiangxi Province, China

Heavy metal contamination has attracted huge concern due to its toxicity, abundance and persistence in the environment, and subsequent accumulation in soil, sediment and water. Mining is one of the most important sources of heavy metals in the environment. Mining-milling operations and disposal of tailings （the finely ground remains of milled ores） in addition to smelting and metal refining provide significant sources of pollution. Mining and mineral processing in the Dexing region of China have been carried out for over forty years and have contaminated the soils with heavy metals, Many studies were conducted to assess and establish the extent of heavy metal contamination in the soils due to mining. The aim of this work was to assess the environmental impact of mining on soils in the Dexing region and to identify the main factors involved in heavy metals dispersion. A 4800 km^2 study area was assessed with respect to its heavy metals on the basis of the current guideline values. In order to assess the extent of heavy metals contamination resulting from past mining activities in the Dexing region, 919 soil samples were collected and analyzed for As, Hg, Cd, Cr, Zn, Cu and Pb, Heavy metals levels were determined using inductively couple plasma-atomic emission spectrometry and X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. Results of soil samples reported concentrations between 1.790-899 mg/kg for As, 0.034-4.980 mg/kg for Hg, 0.043-8.330 mg/kg for Cd, 10-666 mg/kg for Cr, 25-18500 mg/kg for Zn, 6-1825 mg/kg for Cu, and 16-1312 mg/kg for Pb, respectively. The maximum values of As, Hg, Cd, Cr, Zn, Cu and Pb concentration in soils were up to 60, 33, 41, 7, 185, 52 and 37 times higher than the tolerable level, respectively. Meanwhile, the single-factor pollution index and Nemerow pollution index were used to assess the environment quality of heavy metals contamination.     

Environmental investigation for causality and remediation of cadmium contaminated soils in Tak Province, Thailand

Highly elevated cadmium concentrations in paddy soil in the Mae Sod District, Tak Province, Thailand, was detected and widely reported in 2003. This emergence provoked public interest and demands for responsibility and remedial actions. As zinc mines and concentrator were located in the upstream area, mining activities were proclaimed a contamination source. Department of Primary Industries and Mines （DPIM）, a governmental organization responsible for mining and mineral processing, was thus challenged to verify the reliability of post monitoring data displaying consistently low heavy metal concentrations in compliance with the standard limits for over 15 years. Detailed survey and deep-going research on the causes, boundary and severity of cadmium contamination as well as the environmental impact alleviation were consequently conducted. Environmental samples were accumulated systematically for 2 years throughout the areas of upstream and downstream mining sites. A total of 259 soil samples from 53 spots at the depths of 0-20, 20-40, 40-60 and 60-200 cm were drilled with hand auger. Samples of water, stream sediment and mine tailing were also collected. Chemical analysis for cadmium （Cd）, zinc （Zn） and lead （Pb） concentrations with AAS and ICP were undertaken. The contaminated area was finally defined to spread over approximately 18 square kilometer mainly of mountainous mineralizing land and colluvium.     

Analysis on the sources of mercury in soils in the Chengdu Basin, China

Mercury is a pollutant of concern due to its toxic and bioaccumulative properties. Studies on the distribution and hazard of mercury in the environment are mainly focused on its forms, toxicity and the environment standard, and progresses and results have been achieved. But these studies in the past were concentrated on the scales of laboratory or smaller districts merely, such as a small unit of mineral area, vegetable base, paddy field, lake, etc. Multi-target regional geochemical survey carried out by China Geological Survey from the 1990s to now is a fundamental and commonweal geological survey, large-scale and systematical inquisition and research were conducted in 19 provinces （or municipalities directly under the Central Government） in the eastern overlay region of China, and the purpose is to provide the basic geochemical data for national economic construction, adjustment of industrial and agricultural structures and sustainable social development. Geochemical studies aim at investigating soils in these regions and 52 elements have been tested, producing a great amount of data at the same time. Methods： based on the data from 3061 samples of surface soil and 832 samples of deep soil from the project of multi-purpose geochemical survey in the Chengdu Basin, Sichuan, China, this paper describes the correlation relationship between Hg and other 48 elements and their spatial distribution in surface and deep soils of these areas by applying the method of linear regression and factor analysis.     

Effects of the addition of complexants and bacteria on the soil-plant transfer at metal contaminated sites

Within a series of pot experiments with substrates sampled at heavily to moderately polluted sites of past metal mining activities, it was tried to influence the soil plant transfer of metals via addition of complexants, soil bacteria and perlite. Lettuce （lactuca sativa） was chosen as a universal accumulator plant. A wide range of concentrations in the samples ensures a rather general approach. The goal was to develop a strategy to enable plant growth at metal contaminated substrates for phytoremediation purposes. One contaminated mine tailing from Shiheung/Korea was treated with EDTA, NTA, citric acid, malic acid, NaCl, citrate＋NaCl, as well as compost, to provoke effects from chemical treatment. This should yield low molecular metal complexes in the soil solution and provide a carbon source to natural soil life. Other samples from Shiheung, from Okdong mine tailings, Okdong farmland, as well as from three contaminated sites from a medieval mine tailing at Oberzeiring/Styria/Austrias were treated with Cd- adapted soil bacteria, perlite, and soil bacteria and perlite, to impose of changes in microbial life directly. Fresh mine tailings are low in microbial life and plant- available nitrogen, whereas in the contaminated Austrian medieval samples, conditions have had time to adapt for more than 600 years. In the test substrates, supply with nutrient nitrogen was low, supply with nutrient phosphorus was low to adequate, and supply with potassium and sulfate was adequate. Effects of various additives on the plant yield mainly depend on the initial nutrient status. After harvest, the soils were parted in root soils and bulk soils to recognize possible differences. The lettuce plants were parted in leaves and roots. The solids were characterized by convential methods and aqua regia digestion, as well as by a Tessier-type sequential leaching procedure. The plant samples were digested with HNO3/HClO4. Basically, sample solutions were simultaneously read for 23 elements in ICP-OES in appropriate dilutions. Various treatments result in concentration shifts in root soil, bulk soil, plant roots and plant leaves. Interpretation is not easy, but physiologically active elements or contaminants are usually more involved.     

Fractions and Bioavailability of Soil Inorganic Phosphorus in the Loess Plateau of China under Different Vegetations

Plants play an important role in soil phosphorus nutrition. However, the effect of plants on phosphorus nutrition in soils of the Loess Plateau of China is not well understood. This study was conducted to reveal the relationships between plants and phosphorus’ fractions and availability in the Loess Plateau of China. Twenty-two plant communities were surveyed and soil samples under different plant canopies were collected for the determination of soil properties and inorganic phosphorus fractionation. The results showed that Leguminosae and Lilaceae reduced pH and increased organic matter, cation exchange capacity, total and Olsen phosphorus in soils under their canopies, while Labiatae and Rosaceae increased pH and decreased organic matter, cation exchange capacity, total and Olsen phosphorus in soils under their canopies. The contents of Ca2P, Ca8P, Al-P and Fe-P were highly related with soil Olsen phosphorus. They were all higher in soils under Leguminosae and Lilaceae and lower in soils under Labiatae and Rosaceae. The results of this study indicate that Leguminosae and Lilaceae improved phosphorus nutrition in soils, yet Labiatae and Rosaceae impeded the improvement of phosphorus nutrition in soils under their canopies, which will be of more help to instruct vegetation restoration in the region and provide information for soil development.     

Spatial analysis of elements in soils from Chengdu City

Three kinds of spatial analysis methods （geostatistics, concentration-area fractal model and the multifractal analysis called the moment method） were used for almost 50 elements, including heavy metals, disperse elements, rare elements and even others, in 6586 top soil （0-20 cm） samples and 1833 deep soil （150-200 cm） samples from Chengdu metropolitan area of 12400 km^2, southwestern China. The ranges of spatial correlation revealed by variograms are quite different for different kinds of elements in the top and deep soils. The most interest is the fact that the multifractal spectra of environmentally important elements such as Pb, Cr, Cd and Ni in top soils in the metropolitan area show systematic change from those in the deep soils, revealing a strong anthropogenic addition, while Hg, Zn, As, Cu and all common elements show no such kind of addition. In terms of multifractal properties based on the multifractal spectrum curves, those disperse and rare elements show great deviation from other major and trace elements, which is also of great interest.     

Stable carbon isotopic composition of soil organic matter in the karst areas of Southwest China

This study dealt with the distribution characteristics of soil organic carbon （SOC） and the variation of stable carbon isotopic composition （δ^13C values） with depth in six soil profiles, including two soil types and three vegetation forms in the karst areas of Southwest China. The δ^13C values of plant-dominant species, leaf litter and soils were measured using the sealed-tube high-temperature combustion method. Soil organic carbon contents of the limestone soil profiles are all above 11.4 g/kg, with the highest value of 71.1 g/kg in the surface soil. However, the contents vary between 2.9 g/kg and 46.0 g/kg in three yellow soil profiles. The difference between the maximum and minimum δ^13C values of soil organic matter （SOM） changes from 2.2‰ to 2.9‰ for the three yellow soil profiles. But it changes from 0.8‰ to 1.6‰ for the limestone soil profiles. The contrast research indicated that there existed significant difference in vertical pattems of organic carbon and δ^13C values of SOM between yellow soil and limestone soil. This difference may reflect site-specific factors, such as soil type, vegetation form, soil pH value, and clay content, etc., which control the contents of different organic components comprising SOM and soil carbon turnover rates in the profiles. The vertical variation patterns of stable carbon isotope in SOM have a distinct regional character in the karst areas.     

Research on natural plants in the lead/zinc mine in northwestern Guizhou Province

A study of soils and four flourish plants in the heavy metal polluted area by lead/zinc mine in northwestem Guizhou Province. In this study four plants were collected, the species were： Sambucus Chinensis Linn, lxeris gracilis （DC.） stebb, Buddlej daxidii Franch.ex.sinarum lmp. and Senecio scandens. The fractions of heavy metals in the soil were distinguished by the short sequential extraction procedure （I. Maiz, 1997）, the available fractions and residual fractions of heavy metals in the soil could be separated. The plant digestion was effected by means of the microwave digest system （Durali Mendil, 2004）. In each step Pb, Zn and Cd were analyzed by FAAS. This study analyzed the heavy metals （Pb, Zn, Cd） contents of the soil and plant. It is found that the contents in the plant increased linearly with heavy metal concentrations in soil. The concentrations of Pb, Zn, Cd in the four plants follow the order of Zn〉Pb〉Cd. Sambucus Chinensis Linn and lxeris gracilis （DC.） stebb were proved to have good metal-enrichment and transport ability for heavy metals in the soil.