Distribution and Evaluation of Heavy Metals in Cultivated Soil of Guiyang

Investigation and assessment of concentrations of heavy metals (As, Pb, Cd, Cr, and Hg) in the cultivated soils in Guiyang (including four suburbs, one city and three counties that are Huaxi, Wudang, Xiaohe and Baiyun District, Qingzheng City, Xi Feng, Kaiyang and Xiuwen County) were carried out. Results showed that the contents of heavy metals varied largely both within and between the regions. They were all relatively high, except Cr, in all the area investigated. The average contents of heavy metals in the main industrial areas including Qingzheng City and three counties were obviously higher than in the other areas of Guiyang. Cd was the most important contributor of heavy metal pollution of the soil and was followed by Hg and As, which was presumed to have resulted from the presence of phosphorus chemical industry, coal chemical industry and ferroalloy industry in those area.