| Abstract: | AbstractConcentrations of surface soil Zn and Cd from agricultural areas of the Henan Province were measured. About 234 soil samples were collected. Total metal analyses, sequential chemical fractionation which were divided into seven fractions according to the method of the Geological Survey Technical Standard (DD2005-03) set by the China Geological Survey were carried out on the samples. Total Cd and Zn concentrations of the topsoil were 0.1909 (0.1–0.549) and 63.07 (33.3–344.3) mg kg?1 respectively. Compared with the values permitted in China’s control standards for soil (GB 15618–1995) and background value in Henan Province, the soil samples showed high levels of Cd. The soil organic carbon has a significantly positive correlation with Cd and Zn concentration in the soil. Significant positive correlation between pH and Cd, Zn concentration was observed. On average, the order of Cd in each fraction was exchangeable, (27.3%)>weakly bound to organic matter; (22.7%)>strongly bound to organic matter; (16.4%)>residual; (15.1%)>carbonate; (12.1%)>Fe/Mn oxide bound; (4.5%)>water soluble; (2.0%), Zn was residual; (66.3%)>Fe/Mn oxide bound; (10.9%)> weakly bound to organic matter; (9.4%)> exchangeable; (6.0%)> strongly bound to organic matter; (3.9%)> carbonate (2.9%)> water soluble (0.6%). The accuracy of the sequential extraction was judged by the relative error (RE). RE for Cd ranged from 0 to 45% with a mean of 16.3%. RE for Zn ranged from 0.1 to 11.4% with a mean of 3.4%. On average, bioavailability index (BI) for Cd and Zn was 39.1% and 9.0% respectively. The mobility of the elements in the order Cd> Zn corresponds with the plant-availability of individual elements. Comparisons between activities of Cd2+ and Zn2+ calculated by Sauve semi-mechanistic equations and that of the water soluble fractions were demonstrated. The activities of Cd2+ and Zn2+ calculated by the semi-empirical equation are lower than its water soluble fraction. |
