Abstract: Samples of the soils in the vicinity of the Dayi Pb-Zn mining area, Sichuan and the vegetable growing thereon were collected for analysis of contents of Pb, Zn, Cr and Cd, and further for evaluation of heavy metals pollution of the soil using the single factor pollution index and comprehensive pollution index methods. Results show that enrichment factor of the heavy metals exceeded 1 in both the soil near(≤20 m) the pithead and the soil near the ore dressing plant. Soils at Sampling sites X1, X2, and X3 near the gate of the ore dressing plant were all quite high in single factor pollution index of Pb,Zn,and Cd as well as in comprehensive pollution index, which indicates that the soil is severely polluted with heavy metals. Heavy metal pollution in the soil around the ore dressing plant varied spatially at a horizontal level. The vegetables growing in the vicinity of the ore dressing plant had morehihger heavy metal contents in the under ground part than in the above ground part. Transfer factors of the different heavy metals in edible parts of the vegetables were varied and showing an order of Cd > Zn > Pb > Cr. No significant relationship was found between the soil and the vegetable in terms of Pb, Zn, Cd and Cr concent, but the correlations between Pb, Zn and Cd were significant in the soil(α ＝0.01).

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