Abstract:

Samples of soil（ soil profiles） and plants were collected from farmlands around a micro-sized lead-zinc mine in East China for analysis and evaluation of heavy metals pollution and further for health risk assessment of the pollution of vegetables to local inhabitants. Results show that the soil around the mining area was polluted by heavy metals to different degrees,and cadmium pollution was the most severe according to the single factor pollution index analysis. Only one out of the total 11 soil samples was moderate in pollution degree,and the rest were severe. The analysis of the soil profile that was the lowest in pollution degree revealed that the high heavy metals pollution of the soil was closely related to the mining activities,and to the soil parent material. The crops in the studied zone were all polluted by cadmium and lead to varying degrees. Long-term consumption of locally produced vegetables may have some potential health risk. Planting Morus alba is a reasonable utilization mode for polluted farmlands in the area.

Key words: lead-zinc mine, soil, plant, heavy metal, pollution risk