Effect of Weathering on Cd Mobilization in Different Sedimentary Bedrock Soils

Yongqiang Ning, Minglong Yang (), Chutong Liu, Jiazhong Huang, Tianyi Wang, Yong Pang and Quanheng Li
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Yongqiang Ning: Kunming General Survey of Natural Resources Center, Kunming 650506, China
Minglong Yang: Kunming General Survey of Natural Resources Center, Kunming 650506, China
Chutong Liu: Hubei Key Laboratory of Critical Zone Evolution, School of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
Jiazhong Huang: Kunming General Survey of Natural Resources Center, Kunming 650506, China
Tianyi Wang: Kunming General Survey of Natural Resources Center, Kunming 650506, China
Yong Pang: Kunming General Survey of Natural Resources Center, Kunming 650506, China
Quanheng Li: Southwest Mountain Ecological Geological Evolution and Conservation and Restoration Innovation Base, Kunming 650100, China

Land, 2025, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-14

Abstract: Cd (cadmium) has been categorized as a crucial food pollutant by the World Health Organization. Research regarding Cd pollution mainly centers on the source of anthropogenic pollution. Nevertheless, there is scarce knowledge concerning the natural weathering input of Cd, particularly that from sedimentary rocks as bedrocks. Herein, we endeavored to explore the contribution of various sedimentary rocks (Quaternary sediments, mudstone, limestone, sandstone, shale, greywacke, and marl) under similar weathering conditions to the input of Cd in agricultural soils. The concentrations of Cd in soils with different bedrocks are as follows: sandstone: 0.30 ± 0.03 mg/kg (SME) > Quaternary sediments: 0.30 ± 0.04 mg/kg (SME) > shale: 0.25 ± 0.04 mg/kg (SME) > greywacke: 0.24 ± 0.03 mg/kg (SME) > mudstone: 0.24 ± 0.01 mg/kg (SME) > marl: 0.22 ± 0.02 mg/kg (SME) > limestone: 0.21 ± 0.03 mg/kg (SME). The results of major element oxides (K 2 O, MgO, Na 2 O, Fe 2 O 3 , and CaO) imply that Cd in soil primarily stems from the weathering of bedrocks. However, random forest analysis reveals that the soil formation processes of greywacke, mudstone, and marl lead to the loss of Cd in the soil, while those of shale and limestone result in the input of Cd into the soil. This study emphasizes that the process of Cd import and loss in soil is closely related to the type of bedrock and the weathering process.

Keywords: agricultural soil; Cd; oxide; bedrocks; weathering (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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