Heavy Metal Pollution in a Soil-Rice System in the Yangtze River Region of China

Zhouping Liu, Qiaofen Zhang, Tiqian Han, Yanfei Ding, Junwei Sun, Feijuan Wang and Cheng Zhu
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Zhouping Liu: College of Life Sciences, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou 310018, China
Qiaofen Zhang: College of Life Sciences, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou 310018, China
Tiqian Han: College of Life Sciences, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou 310018, China
Yanfei Ding: College of Life Sciences, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou 310018, China
Junwei Sun: College of Life Sciences, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou 310018, China
Feijuan Wang: College of Life Sciences, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou 310018, China
Cheng Zhu: College of Life Sciences, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou 310018, China

IJERPH, 2015, vol. 13, issue 1, 1-16

Abstract: Heavy metals are regarded as toxic trace elements in the environment. Heavy metal pollution in soil or rice grains is of increasing concern. In this study, 101 pairs of soil and rice samples were collected from the major rice-producing areas along the Yangtze River in China. The soil properties and heavy metal ( i.e. , Cd, Hg, Pb and Cr) concentrations in the soil and rice grains were analyzed to evaluate the heavy metal accumulation characteristics of the soil-rice systems. The results showed that the Cd, Hg, Pb and Cr concentrations in the soil ranged from 0.10 to 4.64, 0.01 to 1.46, 7.64 to 127.56, and 13.52 to 231.02 mg·kg ? 1 , respectively. Approximately 37%, 16%, 60% and 70% of the rice grain samples were polluted by Cd, Hg, Pb, and Cr, respectively. The degree of heavy metal contamination in the soil-rice systems exhibited a regional variation. The interactions among the heavy metal elements may also influence the migration and accumulation of heavy metals in soil or paddy rice. The accumulation of heavy metals in soil and rice grains is related to a certain extent to the pH and soil organic matter (SOM). This study provides useful information regarding heavy metal accumulation in soil to support the safe production of rice in China. The findings from this study also provide a robust scientific basis for risk assessments regarding ecological protection and food safety.

Keywords: soil-rice system; pollution characteristics; heavy metal accumulation; Yangtze River region (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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